Episode 15: The Mother Bear with Melissa Schafer

Dive into the frozen wonders of the Arctic with wild woman Melissa Schäfer as she shares her adventures in the arctic including how she adopted her dog, Pingo, the dangers of traveling remote on Svalbard, and learning from Paul Nicklen. In this episode, Melissa shares her thrilling tales, from heart-pounding encounters with polar bears to the quiet serenity of photographing ice floes, revealing the untamed beauty of the world through her lens.

Highlights:

• Challenging Ice Flows: Melissa recounts a nerve-wracking adventure where she and her team faced the challenge of navigating treacherous ice flows in the Arctic, showcasing her fearless approach to storytelling.
• Embracing Vulnerability: Discover Melissa's journey into self-portraiture, where she bravely captures her own narrative, embracing vulnerability and finding empowerment through imperfections.
• Mother Magazine Revelations: Get an inside look into Melissa's passion project, Mother Magazine, where she celebrates women photographers and their captivating stories from around the globe, defying societal norms and embracing authenticity.
• Connecting with Nature: Explore Melissa's deep connection with the natural world and its profound influence on her photography and personal growth, as she shares the transformative power of shared experiences in photography retreats and group settings.
• Arctic Wildlife Encounters: Join Melissa on heart-stopping encounters with majestic polar bears and other Arctic wildlife, as she captures the raw beauty and untamed spirit of these remote landscapes.
• Navigating Self-Doubt: Melissa opens up about overcoming self-doubt and finding her voice in a male-dominated industry, inspiring others to embrace their own unique perspectives and narratives.

You can see more of Melissa’s work at:

Website: https://www.themotherbear.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melissa_schaefer/

https://www.instagram.com/magazine.mother/

Other podcast appearances:

https://conservationvisuals.com/podcast/melissa-schafer/

Read more and access searchable transcripts:

Blog post: https://www.wildwomanphotography.com/episode-15-melissa-schafer/

Thanks for joining me, Brie Stockwell! Visit www.wildwomanphotography.com to check out featured wild women, episode transcripts and more information about our small group photography escapes!