Matt Stagliano sits down with Mitzi Starkweather, a remarkable portrait photographer and educator from Missouri, to explore the importance of raw, authentic connections in photography and life. Their conversation delves into Mitzi's journey as a cancer survivor and how it has shaped her approach to self-value and connection with others. Mitzi shares her insights on navigating the challenges of self-doubt and societal expectations while emphasizing the power of being true to oneself. The discussion also highlights her new Raw Portraits Course, which focuses on creating meaningful interactions with clients. As they reflect on their experiences, both Matt and Mitzi inspire listeners to embrace their individuality and foster genuine relationships in their creative endeavors. For more information about Mitzi's work and her course, visit her website at http://mitzistarkweather.com or follow her on social media @mitzistarkweather.

"We've been friends for a few years now and I am still inspired by Mitzi every single day. We've had long conversations about the essence of connecting with clients in the past, but this conversation allowed us to go a little deeper and truly get to know what drives Mitzi to value raw, authentic connections."

The conversation between Matt Stagliano and Mitzi Starkweather weaves through the intricate tapestry of personal growth, authenticity, and the art of photography. Mitzi, a seasoned portrait photographer from Missouri, shares her transformative journey through various life challenges, including her battle with cancer and the joys of motherhood. These experiences have shaped her understanding of connection and self-acceptance, driving her to develop the Raw Portraits Course aimed at helping others embrace their true selves in front of the camera.

As they discuss the essence of capturing genuine moments, Mitzi emphasizes that photography is about more than just taking pictures; it is about creating an environment where subjects feel safe to express their individuality. The episode highlights the importance of vulnerability, not only in art but in all aspects of life. Mitzi’s insights into how she has learned to embrace her strengths as a connector resonate deeply, encouraging listeners to reflect on their own relationships and interactions. The discussion also touches on the significance of boundaries and self-care, particularly in the context of balancing a creative career with personal responsibilities.

Matt and Mitzi’s dialogue culminates in a broader conversation about the cultural shift towards authenticity in recent years, especially in the wake of the pandemic. This shift has sparked a desire for deeper connections, prompting individuals to seek out more meaningful interactions. The episode serves as a call to action for listeners to embrace their uniqueness and prioritize genuine relationships. Mitzi’s journey and teachings are a testament to the power of self-love and acceptance, reminding us that the most profound connections often begin with being true to oneself.

Takeaways:

• Mitzi Starkweather emphasizes the importance of connecting authentically with clients through photography.
• The Raw Portraits Course encourages photographers to embrace their unique voice and creativity.
• Mitzi's journey as a cancer survivor shaped her understanding of self-worth and authenticity.
• The shift towards authenticity in society allows for deeper connections between individuals.
• Self-awareness and self-acceptance are crucial components in fostering genuine relationships.
• Mitzi believes that true connection stems from curiosity and openness with others.

Links referenced in this episode:

• mitzistarkweather.com
• instagram.com/mitzistarkweather

Welcome to episode 15 of Generator and my guest this week is Carey Sheffield.

Carey is a Florida based photographer who doesn't just take pictures—she weaves stories of connection and emotion.. She dives deep into the soul of the craft, staying emotionally engaged with each image, each moment, as if they were threads in a beautiful tapestry of human experience.

She uses the lens to look inward as much as outward, and let me tell you, that journey of self-discovery? It's a powerful one. It’s raw and it is real. It's not just about capturing her own image; it's about peeling back the layers, and having a conversation with herself that’s as intimate as it is revealing.

So today, we're not just talking about photography. We're diving into a story of connection, emotion, and the kind of self-awareness that comes from truly seeing—not just with the eyes, but with the heart. 

For more of Carey's work, please visit her website at https://careysheffield.com/ or on Instagram at @careysheffieldphotography

In this episode, Maine photographer Matt Stagliano speaks with Jonny Edward, a commercial and portrait photographer, as well a top-tier educator based in Denver, Colorado.

Jonny recently hosted his unique workshop, Artistic Alchemy, where he teaches students his entire creative process from interactions with models, to lighting and shooting, to final retouching and delivery.

"Jonny and I had gone out to dinner in Denver a few days prior to the workshop and when we got back to his studio I setup a quick recording just to capture the conversation. This is as real as it gets, audio glitches and all.

In this conversation we talk about trends in the photography education space, intentionality, connection with clients, and so much more."

For more on Jonny Edward's photography and educational courses, please visit jonnyedward.com

In this episode, Maine photographer Matt Stagliano speaks with Nikki Closser: podcaster, photographer, and entrepreneurial investor.

"If you're in the photography world at all, you'll know Nikki from her cornerstone work with Sue Bryce on Sue Bryce Education as one of the original mentors, and that experience helped her establish The Portrait System podcast which just reached more than 2 million downloads. I've been fortunate to be a guest on The Portrait System and I can tell you that Nikki is the real deal. All of her success is well deserved because of her approach to truly connecting with, and helping the people in her life.

In this conversation we talk about how weird our voices sound, getting started in real estate investing, chicken coop chandeliers, and how to best mitigate risk when building wealth.

There's no doubt that at some point we'll have Part 2 of this conversation, because there is just too much to talk about when we get together."

For more on The Portrait System, please visit theportraitsystem.com

For information about Dream Life Investors, please visit dreamlifeinvestors.com

For Nikki's photography and educational courses, please visit nikkiclosser.com

For the full video version of this podcast, please visit the YouTube playlist.

In this episode, Maine photographer Matt Stagliano speaks with Melissa June: entrepreneur and founder of The League - a woman-centric networking and professional development group in the Legal world.

"Melissa and I connected last November at Sue Bryce’s self value workshop in Phoenix, and then reconnected again in May 2023. Instantly I knew more people needed to hear from her. She has a certain magnetism that makes conversation easy and interesting.

She’s so passionate about everything she does, and the connections she makes that you can’t help but feel inspired listening to her.

In this conversation we talk about a recent transformative photo shoot, the need for human connection, and something she calls “caterpillar shit”

This is one of those conversation that could easily have been several hours long, and I am so grateful that we got the chance to sit down for a bit and hear about everything she is creating."

For more on The League, please visit theleague.law

For the full video version of this podcast, please visit the YouTube playlist.

In this episode, Maine photographer Matt Stagliano speaks with Nicole York: author, photographer, digital artist, educator, and creative visionary behind The Artist's Forge. Nicole is the quintessential artist, mastering her craft in nearly everything she does, and is also one of the smartest people in the industry.

This week she released her newest book called Vanished, which is a Gaslamp Fantasy novel.

This wide ranging conversation covers the connection between hobbies and snails, how she finds balance in a hectic schedule of doing "all the things," how independent authors are finding strength in numbers on TikTok, and they even discuss the ethics and philosophy of AI in art.

To see more of Nicole's work please visit nicoleyork.com

For the full video version, please visit the YouTube playlist.

In this episode, viewers will hear from Maine-based portrait photographer, Matt Stagliano, as he interviews Hollywood retoucher and digital artist Dennis Dunbar.

Dennis is the man behind some of the most iconic movie posters in the film industry, like Blair Witch Project, I Am Legend, 1832, Deadpool, Jumanji, and the list goes on and on...

From the early days of Photoshop to modern color grading techniques, from film to frequency separation, we talk about it all. If you ever wanted to get a feel for what it's like to work as an integral part of the commercial and film industries, this is a conversation for you.

You can find more of Dennis' work at his website, https://dunbardigital.com

In this episode, Matt Stagliano speaks with Sarah Rocca, a retoucher, fine art photographer, and drone-assisted self portrait artist located in New Hampshire. Sarah has defined a incredibly innovative voice in aerial self portraits and she talks about her process, her techniques, and what to expect when laying naked in firepits. The conversation also covers mental health, muscle cars, and traveling to desolate places all over the world.

To see more of Sarah's work please visit sarahjphotography.com

For the full video version, please visit the YouTube playlist.

In this episode, viewers will hear from Maine-based portrait photographer, Matt Stagliano, as he interviews Brian Simpson of Definitive Brewing Co. With over 30 years of experience in the hospitality industry, Brian has worked as a Food & Beverage Director in Boston, NYC, and several locations in Maine.

From the Plaza Hotel in NYC, to the Roger Smith Hotel, to Newbury Street in Boston to Definitive Brewing Company, Brian has an incredible wealth of experience and is as down to earth as you can get.

He is also a long time social media specialist and discusses the very early days of Twitter and how he has used social media to create an exceptional experience for all of his guests for over 15 years. The conversation covers his views on creating community, setting expectations with customers, and all of the comparisons between the world of Hospitality and Social Media.

You're going to love this conversation.

(This is also the first "kitchen episode" with an in-person guest.)

For the full video version, please visit the YouTube playlist.

In this episode, Matt Stagliano speaks with Carrie Roseman, a high-end portrait photographer and educator located in CT and NYC area. Carrie is an energetic force of nature and has built her business around creating an unforgettable luxury experience for her successful clients. The conversation covers manifestation, becoming your authentic self, outsourcing work to stay in your "zone of genius" and creating engaging content to drive non-stop bookings. It's a high energy conversation and one that you are sure to enjoy.

To see more of Carrie's work please visit carrieroseman.com

For the full video version, please visit the YouTube playlist.