DEFY - A NEW PORTRAIT PROJECT BY MITZI STARKWEATHER
Hello, friends.
I've been floating this week because the time has come to launch my DEFY portrait project. It's for my fellow rule-breakers and overcomers. It's for beautiful souls who refuse to accept less, who refuse to make themselves smaller or be anything they're not.
This is the story of many of the precious souls I photograph. It’s my own story, too. I spent 30 years of my life trying to be “good enough” in everyone else’s eyes. And then, when my sources of validation got cut off, I had nothing. So I decided to stop hiding and shine a light on my shame instead… and then I found myself. And I loved her.
I've spent the last decade living and breathing women's portraiture and you know the most common beliefs I hear from clients? I'll list them below, but I'm going to put “I DEFY…” first. (Cuz that's the point of this.)
Here we go:
1. I DEFY the idea that I need to lose weight.
2. I DEFY the notion that sexy/sensual/fine art nude portraits can only exist for a male partner/the male gaze.
3. I DEFY the belief that I must exist to take care of everyone else first… and myself dead last.
Let's DEFY the all-too-common idea that we must lose weight before we can enjoy a photoshoot. (Really? You have to be smaller? Nah, it's 2024 and we are too busy enjoying our one precious life to stress about a number on a scale.) Let's DEFY the idea that women can't embrace their own body and sensuality for themselves (and that when we are “professional” we have to look stuffy.). Let's DEFY the idea that doing something for ourselves is “selfish." (What's that saying about oxygen masks? Something about putting them on ourselves first?)
Anyway, here’s a peek at a few of my recent beautiful shoots that capture the essence of DEFY:
You're invited to defy the old beliefs that no longer serve you so you can embrace the imperfect person you are. I'm here to guide you through a portrait experience you'll never forget. Reach out here and I’ll send you all the details.
Lastly, if you're interested in DEFY or a different type of portrait session, I'd love to get you booked.
REACH OUT HERE
If you're willing, you're ready. Trust me.
Sincerely,
Mitzi Starkweather
