“We can teach people how to treat people by being an example of strength, love, and positive attitudes.”
Q: What are you passionate about?
A: I am passionate when it comes to helping others. Educating people to help them with informed decisions is my passion. I wish someone taught me half of what I have recently learned. Being single with no financial help, I learned over the years to empower myself and others. Now, I have the tools to take that to a greater level and it starts with a FREE financial analysis. I want to empower people to help themselves in their hard work. I am also a Realtor and love helping families find a home. I volunteer at my church as well.
Q: What were your younger years like?
A: In my younger years, I grew up in a good community of friends and family. I was very active in hiking, biking, cheerleading, dance, drill team, volleyball, softball, basketball, roller skating, and bodybuilding. My parents divorced when I was 14, and I grew up fast, taking on adult responsibilities.
Q: What is something valuable you’d like others to know?
A: I have had many challenges in life and worked through them. I have had my car stolen, my home broken into, a stalker (very dangerous), blood clots in my lungs (survived), and a husband who put me in debt thousands of dollars.
I have learned that life is not fair; however, you can change your circumstances. I choose to thrive not just survive. Life happens and you cannot change that, but how you react makes all the difference. I have a village of people. I wanted a fun and friendly neighborhood, so we had a block party and got to know each other. I wanted good friends, so I became a good friend. I found a place of work that has similar values, so we built each other up. I volunteer at church, so I can give back. I make it happen. Life is hard enough. We can teach people how to treat people by being an example of strength, love, and positive attitudes.
One of the greatest gifts I have been part of was giving a child up for adoption. It was the hardest decision I have ever made. I gave the baby as a gift to two wonderful parents.
Q: What does feminism mean to you?
A: Feminism is being the beautiful person you are that is unique, embracing the strengths you have, and continue growing. We all have a different gift, and we need to empower each other to use it for good. That is why we build the village by utilizing one another’s strengths to lift everyone up.
“The obstacles I’ve encountered have taught me more about my craft, my business, and myself than any success ever has.”
Q: What are you passionate about?
A: My passion for photography ignited from a simple desire to capture the fleeting, beautiful moments of life. It’s grown into a lifelong journey of documenting the tender first days of a newborn, the loving glances of a family, and every precious moment in between. My work is more than just photography—it’s about preserving memories that last a lifetime.
Aside from my professional life, I’m deeply engaged in urban gardening and actively participate in the local arts community here in Saint Paul, Minnesota. These personal pursuits enrich my creativity and keep me connected with my surroundings.
Recently, I’ve expanded my focus to include mentoring and developing an educational platform for photography. This new venture allows me to give back to the community by sharing my knowledge and experiences with aspiring photographers. I’m currently creating a series of online courses and one-on-one mentoring sessions designed to help photographers at various stages of their careers. Whether they’re just starting out or looking to refine their skills, I’m here to guide them. It’s incredibly rewarding to see my students grow and succeed in their own photographic endeavors. In all, my work and personal interests are deeply intertwined, each feeding into and enriching the other, creating a fulfilling circle of creativity and community engagement.
Q: What were your younger years like?
A: Growing up, my world was full of color and creativity, thanks to a family that loved all things artistic. I remember getting my hands dirty with paint and clicking away on a small camera I was gifted. These weren’t just hobbies; they were my first steps toward seeing the world through a creative lens—literally and metaphorically.
School played a big role, too. It wasn’t just about the grades; it was where I learned to look at problems and think, ‘There’s a different way to do this.’ That kind of thinking is what I bring to my photography business every day—looking for the unique angle or the untold story.
I also spent a lot of time helping out at community events, where I’d often be the unofficial photographer. It was more than just taking photos; it was about capturing the spirit of the moment. Those early snaps of community gatherings weren’t just practice; they were my first lessons in storytelling.
All these threads from my past—art, education, community involvement—wove together to guide me to where I am now. They taught me the importance of not just capturing images but capturing stories and emotions. And that’s what I strive to do at Giliane E. Mansfeldt Photography, LLC. It’s also why I’m so passionate about mentoring and teaching photography—to help others learn how to tell their own stories through the lens.
Q: What is something valuable you’d like others to know?
A: One valuable lesson I’ve learned through my journey with Giliane E. Mansfeldt Photography, LLC is the importance of resilience and adaptability. In the world of photography, and business in general, things rarely go exactly as planned. Whether it’s a sudden change in the weather during an outdoor shoot, unexpected technical issues, or navigating the highs and lows of running a business, being able to adapt quickly and stay focused on your goals is crucial.
I’ve also learned the significance of staying true to your vision while being open to growth and new ideas. This balance has not only helped me refine my craft but also expanded my business into new areas like education and mentoring. I encourage others to remain open to learning and evolving, no matter how established they might feel in their career or personal life.
From my story, I’d like others to learn that every challenge is an opportunity for growth. The obstacles I’ve encountered have taught me more about my craft, my business, and myself than any success ever has. I hope my journey inspires others to embrace their challenges as stepping stones to their dreams.
Q: What does feminism mean to you?
A: To me, feminism is essentially about fairness. It’s about everyone having the same shot at success and happiness, no matter their gender. This idea influences everything I do, from how I frame a shot to how I run my business at Giliane E. Mansfeldt Photography, LLC.
In my studio, it means creating a space where everyone—clients and staff—feels respected and valued. It’s about capturing photos that truly reflect the person’s strength and spirit, whether they’re a CEO, a stay-at-home parent, or a high school grad just starting out.
Feminism also drives my commitment to mentoring, especially for women who are often underrepresented in our field. I want to help open doors for others that were once closed and create opportunities for all aspiring photographers to thrive. At the end of the day, feminism to me is about striving for a world where everyone has the freedom to be themselves and the opportunity to succeed. That’s the world I envision through my lens and in my actions every day.
Q and A with Maura from Venice, Italy, living in Raeford, North Carolina
“We can be our best friends or our worst enemies depending on if we choose to believe in ourselves or not.“
Q: What are you passionate about?
A: My main passion has always been art in all its forms. Starting with music, which I’ve loved since I began singing as a kid, to visual arts, as a painter first and as a photographer now. I think that art is a great medium to convey a message because it speaks directly to people’s emotions bypassing the filter of their rationality.
I’ve always felt the need to leave my mark on the world. To try to make it a better place. It took me a few years to understand that art was my opportunity to do so.
More Than A Body is only my first step in that direction. This first project is my way to tell myself and other women that we are allowed to love ourselves for who we are and that it is ok to celebrate our achievements and forgive our mistakes. I focused this project on women because I felt that it hit close to home, but I want to spread the same message to other groups of people in future projects.
Q: What were your younger years like?
A: I had a happy childhood. Music was always playing at home, and I had the opportunity of growing up in a country, Italy, that constantly exposed me to art without me even realizing it. I started singing when I was about 10 and, even though that is still one of my passions, I’ve come to realize that I rather take a position “behind the scenes.” I most definitely rather be behind the camera than in front of it.
Despite everything, looking back, I remember feeling very insecure about my place in the world, my social life, about the way I looked. It took me years to be more confident and it’s still a work in progress. This is one of the reasons why I now wish to help other women. We can learn together to be kinder to ourselves. I feel like this type of message won’t ever be repeated enough to contrast the constant bombardment we receive from a world that wants us to be forever young, perfect career women, with the perfect body, the perfect house, and the perfect kids.
Photo from More Than A Body project by Maura.
Q: What is something valuable you’d like others to know?
A: I have learned that no step is too small towards change and that sometimes we need to take that step before being completely sure that we will succeed. We can be our best friends or our worst enemies depending on if we choose to believe in ourselves or not.
I often must remind myself that life is not a race to achieve perfection and that I am not competing either against myself or others. I think it’s admirable to try to improve ourselves and our skills, but the learning process is as important as the final result.
Photo from More Than A Body project by Maura.
Q:What does feminism mean to you?
A: We live in a time where feminism is of the most importance. It is not only a matter of equality in society but also the fundamental right to recognize our own value as women. We need the freedom to make our own choices and to fail, if necessary, without losing our independence or our value as human beings. It’s a matter of boundaries: accepting others and requiring others to respect ours. This means stop labeling people and stop shrinking ourselves to fit in a standardized role.
Photo from More Than A Body project by Maura.
MORE FROM MAURA: More Than A Body is a collection of ten women’s portraits and their stories. Using a mix of photography and digital art, I have tried to represent them for who they were more than how they looked. Each woman’s portrait is displayed together with her story to remind the viewer that she is more than what you see, she is more than a body. I asked each woman to write her own story in her own words, to choose an outfit and make-up she felt represented her and the result was incredible. These women had the courage to share their deepest secrets, their successes, and their failures. They understood that, by opening up and showing their vulnerability, they could inspire others. They taught us that we might all be different, but we are not alone on our journey.
The Woman Wednesday Blog 