RAW PORTRAIT SESSIONS
a course for photographers by mitzi starkweather
For the portrait photographer who is ready to learn how to hold space for the humans in front of their camera… exactly as they are.
An inspirational video course in nine parts, including live demos and a companion workbook.
ARE YOU READY TO RETURN TO THE JOY - THE REASON YOU STARTED CREATING PORTRAITS IN THE FIRST PLACE?
Do you feel called to offer raw, un-retouched black and white portrait sessions that allow your clients to experience a powerful shift in self-perception?
Are you ready to learn how to truly hold space for people?
Are you ready to break rules and challenge yourself as a creative?
Would you like to offer a session that takes a fraction of the time, effort and cost without decreasing your sales average?
Are you ready to identify and question the barriers you’ve subconsciously put up for your prospective clients?
Are you an intermediate or advanced professional photographer who’s ready to introduce a whole new session offering?
Do you want to show people how to HONOR themselves, and shine a light on their shame?
Are you most drawn to portraits with authenticity and soul?
Do you need a creative kick in the pants from a photographer who can’t wait to challenge and inspire you?
Hi! I’m Mitzi Starkweather
After a decade as a professional photographer specializing in highly stylized and retouched portraits, I finally listened to my soul’s cry to offer a raw, honest portrait session: No pro hair or makeup, no new clothes, no retouching. But the Raw Portrait session is about so much more than the omission of these things. I wanted to hold space for people and invite them to accept themselves AS THEY ARE.
I’ll teach you how to do this, too.
I’m offering my blueprint to you, because I want the Raw Portraits movement to spread across the world.
ABOUT MITZI:
I’m an award winning WORKING professional photographer in my 11th year of full time portrait photography.
My business 100% supports my family, so profitability is important to me.
I’m a speaker and writer and see my years of portrait photography experience as a field study of the human experience regarding empowerment, body image, gender expectations, and self love.
The #1 remark my students give me is that I make difficult concepts relatable and easy to understand. (That, and I deliver zero bullshit.)
I studied photography in college but the best education I ever got was from passionate mentors and educators across the photography community. I wouldn’t have made this course if I didn’t think it was valuable and needed.
I’m a cancer survivor. That experience made a lot of things VERY clear to me.
I love movies. LOVE. Especially the really good ones and really bad ones.
I started offering my own Raw Portrait sessions earlier this year and called it my AS I AM Project. These sessions surprised me, taught me, filled me up, and healed me. (They also turned out to be highly profitable.) I will show you how to create and offer your own Raw Portrait Session.
WHAT’S INCLUDED
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VIDEOS
OVER 4 HOURS OF VIDEO INCLUDING LIVE SHOOT AND SALES SESSION WITH CLIENT
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WORKBOOK
50 PAGE WORKBOOK WITH ALL THE TOOLS AND DETAILS YOU NEED
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BONUS CONTENT
Now with bonus content of Sue Bryce’s raw AS I AM session with me!
I ADDED A RAW PORTRAIT SESSION CALLED “AS I AM” TO MY LIST OF SESSION OFFERINGS… IT’S BROUGHT HEALING, JOY, AND A $3300 SALES AVERAGE.
WHY DID I START OFFERING RAW PORTRAIT SESSIONS?
When I went flat after breast cancer in the summer of 2022, I had to face all my body image issues head-on.
At first I avoided them and marinated in self-hate. But then I decided to give acceptance a shot.
After all, what is love if not acceptance? (Conditional love is, well, conditional.)
So, I decided to SHINE A LIGHT ON MY SHAME. Literally. I put a light on my chest - a symbol of my value and femininity that had to be cut off - and I showed up in front of my camera. Even when I had a bad hair day, or a breakout, or had gained weight. Over a short time, I began to heal. And once I did it I could hold space for others to do it too. Watching my clients’ vulnerability and bravery made ME brave. And after over 40 of these sessions so far this year I am learning more and more that every barrier my clients used to come up against was created by ME.
I don’t make assumptions anymore. I simply hold space for people to show up as they are, and they continually surprise and delight me. What a joy to witness someone experience a POWERFUL shift in self perception.
The #1 question photographers ask about my Raw Portrait sessions is, “But… what do you charge?”
…as if no retouching makes a portrait less valuable.
…as if no hair or makeup or new clothes makes a client less worthy.
…as if an artist’s vision and ability to CONNECT with their subject isn’t more valuable than the fanciest studio in the world.
I get it though. This question also delayed me from offering this for nearly 2 YEARS, even though my heart was calling me to do it.
So, my short answer? I charge the same as I do for all my other sessions. My highly stylized shoots maintain a $3600 average. My Raw portrait sessions have a $3300 average. But the Raw sessions require less cost and take a quarter the time, so they’re MORE profitable.
PEOPLE HIRE US TO CREATE MAGIC FOR THEM. AS LONG AS WE BELIEVE THE EXPERIENCE IS WORTH IT, WE CAN OFFER IMMENSE VALUE AND CHARGE ACCORDINGLY.
“I love how simple and pared down the structure of the session is - not 150 different poses to remember and get stuck on. It really allows for expression to be organic and unforced. My main takeaway from this course is that I need to implement this offering ASAP.”
-Nichole Manner, Master Photographer
“From beginning to end, this is the way every online course should be. I learned so much! By focusing on emotional connection, celebrating the reality of ourselves, and creating images that are deeply meaningful to my clients, I’m helping them embrace their natural beauty and authentic stories. Mitzi knocked this out of the park!”
-Matt Stagliano @stonetreecreative
Raw Portraits Course Promo video by Mitzi Starkweather
