We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Mateo Seza a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Mateo, thanks for joining us today. Can you talk to us about how you learned to do what you do?

I’ve always relied heavily on intuition throughout my creative journey, but learning to trust myself took time. Like most of us, I’ve found that experience—trial and error—is the greatest teacher. To be good at something, you first have to be willing to be bad at it, and I embraced that mindset from a young age. I was always creatively inclined, drawn to things that inspired me, and I’d experiment to figure out how to do them, learning through my mistakes along the way.

Looking back, I wish I had sought out mentors earlier. Relying so much on my intuition and self-teaching extended my learning curve. A mentor could have helped me learn faster by sharing their insights and experiences, and I could have benefited from their guidance in navigating the complexities of an artistic career.

Surprisingly, the most essential skills I’ve learned aren’t purely artistic but business-related. Artists often neglect business skills, myself included, but they’re crucial for establishing and sustaining a successful creative practice. While the technical aspects of art can be self-taught and refined through practice, understanding how to market your work, manage finances, and build professional relationships is vital.

One significant obstacle has always been my own mindset. Early in my career, I underestimated the value of business skills. For example, at 18, I had a sales job that could have taught me valuable lessons about connecting with people and making sales—skills I eventually had to learn on my own. At the time, I was stubborn and quit, thinking, “I just want to make art,” not realizing that those skills were foundational to supporting my artistic ambitions.

Ultimately, obstacles will always be present, and the key is to find ways around/through them. I’ve learned that a balanced approach, where creativity meets practical business acumen, is essential for a thriving artistic career.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I’ve always felt that the world moves too fast, which is why I fell in love with photography. It allows me to slow down, observe, and truly appreciate the moment. I’m endlessly curious about the universe and the way things work, and one of the greatest mysteries to me is light. Light, like math, is a universal language, and photography allows me to use that language to offer alternative perspectives on life.

My work aims to capture the beauty of fleeting moments that often go unnoticed, encouraging people to slow down and reflect on themselves, their surroundings, and their role within those surroundings. I want viewers to feel more connected to both their inner world and the environment around them, realizing they are both active participants and thoughtful observers.

Through SezaPrints.com, I offer a range of photography products, including limited and open-edition prints, and occasionally, one-of-a-kind artworks. My goal is to provide pieces that serve as daily reminders of the beauty in our world and inspire positivity and mindfulness. Beyond the art, I hope to subtly influence people to recognize humanity’s potential for good when we work together.

What truly sets me apart is my emphasis on meaningful collaboration and human connection. For me, photography transcends beyond a solitary craft; it’s a bridge to understanding and engaging with people on a deeper level. When I work on portraits, I invest time in getting to know the person I’m photographing. I often have in-depth conversations, asking about their experiences, motivations, and life journey. This exchange shapes the portrait process, enabling me to capture their authentic essence.

My aim is to go beyond the surface and create images that reflect the inner strength, and aspirations of my subjects. I believe a portrait should capture more than just appearance; it should be a visual story that honors who the person truly is, capturing their power and humanity. Through this approach, I build trust and foster self-awareness, ensuring that the portraits resonate with depth and authenticity. I strive to inspire people to be their best selves and, in turn, inspire others to do the same.

Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?

One of the most impactful books for shaping my management and entrepreneurial thinking is “Astrophysics for People in a Hurry” by Neil deGrasse Tyson. It’s a fascinating, compact exploration of our universe that makes the complex digestible. Tyson’s way of explaining the cosmos emphasizes how incredibly small we are in the grand scheme of things, yet highlights our profound interconnectedness with everything that’s ever existed. This perspective is both humbling and empowering.
Tyson’s approach to presenting scientific topics as doors that are slightly ajar—inviting people to open them fully if they’re curious—resonates deeply with me. Art, in my eyes, serves a similar purpose. I strive to create work that sparks curiosity, encouraging viewers to reflect on our humanity, our bodies, and our relationship with the environment. Through the interplay of contrast and connection in my art, I hope to invite deeper contemplation.

This philosophy also drives my entrepreneurial vision: thriving collectively through meaningful dialogue. Just as the universe is in a perpetual conversation with itself, I believe our best ideas and growth emerge from open, thoughtful exchanges with one another.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

The most rewarding aspect of being an artist is having the privilege to be professionally and passionately curious. I get to pursue the questions that fascinate me and explore them through my work. Similar to a scientist, an artist observes and interprets the world around them, responding to their environment and engaging with the human experience.
Our roles involves presenting our observations and experiments to the world, prompting reflection and opening avenues for conversation. It’s through these shared dialogues that we learn and grow together. Being able to feed my curiosity and use art as a catalyst for connection and discovery is an experience I cherish every day.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.sezaprints.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mateo.seza/?hl=en
• Facebook: https://pin.it/2KQLCn4lO
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mateo-serna-zapata-07b716120?lipi=urn%3Ali%3Apage%3Ad_flagship3_profile_view_base_contact_details%3BZLOun4B0R0OtbS8JrIKn7g%3D%3D
• Youtube: https://vimeo.com/mateoseza
• Other: https://mateoseza.com/

Image Credits

Artist / Photographer: Mateo SeZa, of SeZa Studios