Episode 001: Robert Sturman
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DESCRIPTION
Robert Sturman is an incredible artist and photographer. I wanted to interview Robert because his work is so captivating and I admire the way he captures the rawness and beauty of the human experience.
In this episode, he shares with us that his art is a creative expression of his most intentional living. He shares stories of photo sessions with BB King, inmates at San Quentin, women with breast cancer and people on the front lines of COVID-19.
While Robert shares so much in this conversation, what has really stayed with me is the beauty he sees in all things. He also talked about how essential it is to see people, be in the moment and care.
I hope you enjoy this conversation as much as I did. I also hope you’ll follow Robert on Instagram and take time to enjoy his portfolios. You will be grateful you did.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
(00:50) Robert’s bio
(04:05) The yoga of seeing
(05:21) On being present
(06:08) On paying attention and caring
(06:40) Photography of yoga classes at San Quentin
(10:25) COVID-19 photography
(11:50) About Robert’s father
(16:15) Seeing the beauty of this world
(18:05) The start of the Italy story
(20:40) Re-writing the story of being an artist
(21:20) The artist in St. Mark’s Square, Venice, Italy
(25:03) A story from San Quentin
(27:15) Photography of breast cancer survivors
(30:40) It’s an honour
(31:44) Story about BB King
(34:46) Where to check out Robert’s work
(36:28) What brings Robert Joy
MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
MORE ABOUT MY GUEST
A dedicated yoga practitioner, photographer Robert Sturman has increasingly focused on capturing the timeless grace and embodied mindfulness of asana in his work.
His portraits, whether set in the lively streets of Manhattan, the expansive beaches and canyons of Malibu, the foothills of Mount Kilimanjaro, the timeless elegance of Walden’s New England, or the bleakness of San Quentin Prison, remind us that there is beauty everywhere.
His stunning repertoire runs the gamut from yogis perched on rocks surrounded by the Pacific Ocean, to African orphans practicing yoga in Kenya, to breast cancer survivors, bare-chested and scarred. In addition, Sturman has worked extensively photographing war veterans who have embraced the practice of yoga to heal PTSD, in an effort to help change the heartbreaking statistics of veteran suicides each day.
In Sturman’s own words, “I often think of Rumi’s words ‘I can’t stop pointing to the beauty.’ That feels right to me.” Sturman’s honors include Official Artist of the 47th Annual Grammy Awards, 2010 FIFA World Cup Artist Representing America, and Official Artist 2008 United States Olympics. Sturman has been the subject of two separate New York Times articles celebrating his photographs of yoga from around the world.
Website: www.robertsturmanstudio.com
Instagram: @robertsturman
Facebook: Robert Sturman
Twitter: @RobertSturmanStudio