Local Artist: Maundy Mitchell Photography

Lindsey DeRoche

For The Clock

lederoche@plymouth.edu

Maundy Mitchell is a professional photographer with a studio in downtown Plymouth and a mission to bring out the beauty in everyone. “Most people believe that they are not beautiful, and that’s the opposite of what I believe,” said Mitchell.

Mitchell has trademarked her slogan, “People are beautiful,” and utilizes pre-shoot consultations and three-hour photo sessions to fully expose the wonder and beauty that she sees in everyone.

Mitchell’s love of photography stems back to her childhood. “I dabbled in all kinds of art when I was a kid,” said Mitchell. Photography stuck with her the most, and she cites her grandmother’s love of photography as a source of inspiration.

Today, when contemplating her next artistic move, Mitchell goes to art galleries and looks at art books, paintings, and photographs. “For my inspiration for portrait sessions, I’ll go back to the old masters,” she said. In a modern world that is dominated by cellphone snapshots and Instagram, Mitchell doesn’t feel a hierarchy surrounding photography. Though she believes portraits and cellphone pictures are two different things, Mitchell thinks that there is a place for both. She respects the importance of capturing a moment, regardless of the camera.

When clients come to Mitchell, there is often a pattern of apprehension. “Everyone wants a beautiful portrait, but not everyone believes that they can have it,” Mitchell said.

Often, clients do not feel photogenic, which Mitchell sees as a “BS word.” Mitchell said that saying that you are not photogenic is like saying you are not beautiful or worthy.

Mitchell sees her portraits as reminders of personal beauty that people can always go back to. “When they feel beautiful, they look beautiful,” she said.

One of Mitchell’s many projects focuses on photographing scars. Clients showcase their scars in order to own them, and to show the world a part of their human experience. “For a lot of people, a portrait is a way for them to get through something,” Mitchell said.

Mitchell seeks out a connection in all of her portraits. If a portrait does not have a connection, it is not released.

Mitchell has photographed clients from all over the country, from the local area to Los Angeles. She also had the privilege of photographing Donald Hall, former poet laureate of the U.S., after being awarded the honor by former President Barack Obama.

Another main concentration of Mitchell’s art is helping women to gain back their notion of beauty that has been usurped by modern society and its standards. She believes that women are often conditioned to see things about themselves as flaws, and they are only allowed to feel gorgeous on their wedding day. “Here you get the same treatment, only you don’t have to get married” said Mitchell.

“I love what I do,” said Mitchell. “I love to make people feel beautiful, and show them that they really are.”

Maundy Mitchell’s studio is located at 2 Post Office Square, #3-4 in down- town Plymouth, above Wolfson Jewelers. You can follow her on Facebook under the name Maundy Mitchell Photography, on Instagram under @ maundymitchell, and at her website www.maundymitchell.com.