AS I AM by Mitzi Starkweather: Sue Bryce
“Smile with your heart.” -Sue Bryce
Sue,
We stood in the same room one year before this shoot in a completely different context (Self Value Workshop) and I told you through tears what my heart was pulling me to do and teach. “But I don’t know how!” I said.
You replied, “Focus on the what, not the how.”
I listened. And then in November 2023, one year later, we stood (and sat, and danced) in that same room as we shot and filmed your AS I AM raw portrait session.
A year and a half ago I “returned” to life after breast cancer treatment and found myself completely lost. I had a clear idea of what I wanted and who I wanted to be, but the life I was “returning” to felt so foreign. I was a new person and with your guidance I embarked on a journey to get to know her.
Over the past year, I created a format of portraiture that lights me up, and now I’m teaching photographers how to hold space for people as I give them my blueprint (Raw Portraits Course). Thank you for letting us film your beautiful, vulnerable, heart-felt session so other photographers can benefit.
This is what an AS I AM session does: it focuses on the what: the reality, the truth. The acceptance of what gloriously IS despite a culture that tells us to be ashamed about what makes us unique… all through a lens of love.
And this is what has made you the most incredible mentor to me and thousands of others over the last decade and a half: you do not hold back the truth. You are powerful in your sincerity and you are inspiring us all once again as you embrace your magnificent self.
You told me, “I want to embrace myself because menopause has been kicking my ass.”
And you did.
Thank you for letting me hold this space for you Sue.
To know you is an overwhelming gift.
Sincerely,
Mitzi
#asiambymitzi
Photographers: Sue Bryce’s entire AS I AM raw portrait session and reveal now added as bonus content on The Portrait System for members, and to my Raw Portraits Course on the TPM store.
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