Today we’d like to introduce you to Matt Stagliano

Hi Matt, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?

When someone asks me about “my story,” I never quite know where to start. After 50 years, there’s been a lot of life—successes, failures, a few career changes, and a whole lot of learning. But, like any good story, there’s a beginning.

I grew up in the 70s and 80s, a classic GenX-er. Back then, you didn’t talk about what was going on inside. You learned to keep your head down, blend in, and do what was expected, no matter how much you were struggling. I won’t dive into every detail, but let’s just say I’ve wrestled with perfectionism, isolation and loneliness, guilt, shame, body dysmorphia, depression, anxiety, and being neurodivergent for most of my life. But like anyone who’s been through the wringer, over the years I figured out how to cope. More than that, I turned those struggles into a strength—a way to connect with others on a deeper, more empathetic level.

After college, with a Physics degree in hand, I started out teaching then dipped my toes into hospitality. Eventually, I found myself in the corporate world—first in biotech, then in high tech. I even landed a spot on a prominent Mergers & Acquisitions team in Silicon Valley. But after a decade of 90 hour weeks, I got wrapped up in a big layoff hit, and I was out. I decided to take a full year off to figure out my next steps. That’s when I picked up a camera.

Photography wasn’t just a hobby; it became my new career path. In 2013, I started my first business, focusing on commercial work in the outdoor sporting world. That led to things like hosting television shows for Outside TV, writing for countless magazines, and traveling all over the country. But it didn’t take long for me to realize that what really fired me up was creating portraits and telling the stories of the people I met. Ultimately that’s what led me to open Stonetree Creative in 2018 as a way to bring high-end, contemporary portraiture to my home in the western mountains of Maine. And honestly? I haven’t looked back since.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?

Smooth road? Not at all. It’s been more like a rollercoaster, with plenty of unexpected twists and turns. Just when I thought I had things figured out, life always had other plans.

I’ve had to learn to pivot when things didn’t go the way I’d hoped. Getting laid off from a stable job was a big hit—not just financially, but emotionally. It came at a time when I was going through a divorce. Suffice to say it’s tough when you lose your sense of direction and have to start over from scratch. And starting a business in a field I was only starting to learn? That was a whole new challenge. For me, it’s not just about creating portraits; it’s about finding a unique voice and making an impact in an oversaturated market.

Then there’s the personal side of things. Trying to balance mental health while pushing forward in your career is no small feat. There were days when just getting out of bed felt like a victory, let alone trying to build a business. And the self-doubt—that nagging voice in the back of your mind wondering if you’re really cut out for this, if people will connect with your work, if you’re making the right choices—it’s always there. Sprinkle in some clinical depression, failed relationships, and those unhealed parts of childhood and you have the perfect recipe for low self-value.

But looking back, every struggle taught me something incredibly valuable. Those rough patches pushed me to grow, adapt, and dig deeper. They taught me to seek and ask for help without shame. They gave me the gift of self-acceptance and they led me to the slow process of true healing. It wasn’t easy, but those experiences shaped who I am today and how I approach my work. So yeah, the road’s been bumpy, but I wouldn’t trade those bumps for anything. They’re what got me here.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?

I’ve always seen myself as more of a portrait artist than just a photographer. It might not seem like a big deal, but for me, it’s huge. Right from the get-go, I had a clear vision of what I wanted to do – and maybe even more importantly, what I didn’t.

Weddings, maternity shoots, babies, big events? Absolutely not my thing. Don’t get me wrong, there are tons of great photographers in Maine who are amazing that stuff, but I knew it wasn’t for me. I wanted my work to be stylistically different, and something that felt genuine and effortless. Having a studio where I could create soulful portraits was the exact right spot for me.

Generally speaking, I specialize in Personal Branding, Headshots, and Fine Art, but what I’m really after is capturing the real deal – the authentic sides of a person’s personality. The stuff that goes beyond the surface. The Unfiltered aspects of what makes us “us.” I mostly work with professionals, entrepreneurs, and artists and they all know how crucial it is to nail that first impression.

I suppose my style is a bit on the edgy, dramatic side and lately I have fallen in love with black and white imagery. If I had to put a label on it, I’d say my shots are more at home in a magazine editorial – think Vogue or Vanity Fair, rather than Time or People. I’m all about telling a story through the image, but doing it in a way that’s narrative, contemporary and beautiful.

If I had to guess, I think what sets me apart from other local photographers is the experience I offer. When someone walks into my studio, it’s not just about getting through the session. It’s about true collaboration, creating something meaningful together. I take pride in the connections I build with my clients, and I think that deep bond really shines through in the final images. It’s that mix of empathy, eye for detail, and genuine interest in the person that I hope comes across when people look at the final piece. Maintaining a sense of curiosity, or what a friend calls “childlike wonder,” is essential in making that happen.

But you know what really lets me know I’m on the right path? It’s seeing how these images can change how someone sees themselves. There’s something incredibly powerful and satisfying about helping someone view themselves in a new light, and knowing that our work together can make a real difference in how they present themselves to the world. That’s what keeps me going, and that’s what I bring to every session at Stonetree Creative. It’s not just about a beautiful portrait – it’s about changing perspectives on self-value, one client at a time.

Do you any memories from childhood that you can share with us?

Childhood seems like it was forever ago, and I’m sure that as soon as I write this, something else will pop into my head. But there was a period of time, I was probably 8 or 10 years old, when my grandparents would visit every Friday night to play cards with my parents – sometimes it was Uno, sometimes it was spades. It was a ritual, and was always very special. I remember being excited because my sisters and I got to stay up a little bit later than normal and watch our favorite shows like The Dukes of Hazzard. Sometimes my grandfather would show up with ice-cream sundaes from Carvel which was like the ultimate treat in those days.

In hindsight, I was really fortunate to grow up in a loving family. Sure we had our share of challenges, but I never remember one of those Friday nights being anything other than fun.

Oh, and my first “real” bike which was a Huffy Buckaroo, complete with banana seat and chopper-style handlebars. I felt like the king of the world riding that.

Pricing:

• Portrait session fee of $450 and portrait packages starting at $2000

Contact Info:

• Website: https://stonetreecreative.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/stonetreecreative
• Facebook: https://facebook.com/stonetreecreative
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/stonetreecreative
• Other: https://generatorpodcast.com

Image Credits

All portfolio images by me

Personal Photo – Jonny Edward

Black and White behind the scenes portrait – Shelby Maniatty of Kairos Imagery