Photographer Erica Mueller thrives on being real, as there’s so much to discover in the ways we genuinely connect with each other and the world. Erica’s work has appeared in Vanity Fair, In Style, and W, and she’s shot for the Golden Globes, all balanced with her commitment to her own The Embody Project.
More from Erica: I’m currently based near Asheville NC, but the map of my life has many pins. I’ve traveled, explored, risked, fallen, and flourished… and so have you. We all have colorful lives, and we’re all made of similar threads. I’m not afraid of being real, in fact I thrive on it, as there’s so much to discover in the ways we genuinely connect with each other and the world. The beauty of photography is that it lets me freeze the moment in all its fleeting glory and grants the luxury of time to take a closer look at the tapestry our threads are woven into. This is my endless muse.
I’ve been shooting professionally for over 20 years, across the country and around the world. My images have appeared in Vanity Fair, In Style, and W, and I’ve shot for clients such as Paramount, Sony, Fox, Warner Bros, Lilith Fair, the Fashion Institute of Design + Merchandising, and the Golden Globes. My portrait and wedding work keep me constantly inspired by the simple and profound moments of life that shine our inner light and bring us joy. The Embody Project, my body of work that explores themes of self-love and the human experience, has been seen around the world and shown on gallery walls, and was recently published in its first book volume.
3 Key Points
- Being passionate about your work builds a path towards impact, thereby bringing success.
- There are always threads weaving through a career. A filmmaker doesn’t make one long film over the course of their career—they put their energy into a project until it’s done and then move on to the next one.
- Find joy in the impact you have on the life of one person.
Quote
“The impact on just one individual is really important to me—it just means the world.”
What We Talked About
In this episode, you’ll learn:
- 01:10 – Why were you drawn to photography?
- 03:30 – How do you maintain your presence in the moment while behind the camera?
- 05:00 – What has your wanderlust led to in your work?
- 06:40 – Tell us about The Embody Project
- 14:00 – The aim of The Embody Project
- 15:50 – Did anything surprise you during this project?
- 17:50 – The personal impact of The Embody Project
- 20:14 – How do you have impact while also having commercial success?
- 24:18 – Has this project been viewed differently in different cultural landscapes?
- 27:30 – How have you brought together a diverse portfolio into a cohesive body of work?
- 30:20 – On Erica’s relationship to her projects
- 33:55 – On the process of discovering meaning in her work
Actionable Tips
- Recognize the myriad ways to measure impact.
- Stay true to your vision.
- Pursue opportunity in uncomfortable and unexpected spaces.
Resources Mentioned
- Book mentioned in the episode: Hold Still by Sally Mann
- Find Erica’s work online: Erica Mueller | The Embody Project
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Ursula Jorch, Host of The Impact Interviews
Ursula Jorch is a business coach, speaker, and podcaster who shows women leaders how to turn their businesses into profitable agents for lasting change, global impact, and a force for good in the world.