"I realized that paying attention is a form of a question." - Robert Sturman

Robert Sturman is a seeker and visual storyteller. Driven by an unshakeable belief that beauty exists everywhere. He has pursued this vision as an Official Artist of the Grammy Awards and the FIFA World Cup, and as a globally recognized photographer who captures the healing power of humanity through yoga. After studying art at UC Santa Cruz and Memphis College of Art, he discovered that his life itself, was art, and needed to become a masterpiece.

Robert has mastered finding profound beauty in unexpected places - from the streets of Manhattan to San Quentin Prison, from Kenyan orphans to breast cancer survivors bearing their scars. His philosophy is rooted in Rumi's words: "I can't stop pointing to the beauty."

Through his lens, Robert demonstrates that everyone belongs and vulnerability becomes strength. His approach reveals that the most potent questions aren't about technique, but about trust, connection, and helping people recognize their own light. He seeks beauty where others see difficulty because he understands transformation happens when we're willing to look deeper.

The most heartfelt title he answers to is Dad to Otis the Handsome Hound, an 85-pound English American Redtick Coonhound who was rescued following animal testing. Otis has nearly 7K Instagram followers and is an advocate for cruelty-free testing.

In this episode of Curated Questions, host Ken Woodward converses with renowned visual storyteller Robert Sturman. Robert, celebrated for his profound and inclusive photography, shares insights on capturing the healing power of humanity through his lens. The discussion explores Robert's journey from photographing idyllic beach yogis to documenting yoga practice in diverse and challenging settings, including maximum security prisons and amongst war veterans.

Through his lens, he celebrates vulnerability, trust, and beauty in unexpected places. Robert also delves into his advocacy work with his rescued animal companion Otis, highlighting the critical issue of cruelty-free product testing. Throughout the episode, recurring themes focus on the transformative power of paying attention, the courageous response to criticism, and the continuous pursuit of personal and artistic growth.

Episode Notes

[00:00] Introduction to San Quentin Experience

[01:10] Welcome to Curated Questions

[01:34] Content Warning and Subscription Reminder

[02:33] Introduction to Robert Sturman

[04:06] Robert's Journey into Photography and Yoga

[04:48] First Visit to San Quentin

[06:53] Media Portrayal vs. Reality of Prisons

[08:31] Robert's Passion for Yoga Photography

[13:55] Criticism and Inclusivity in Yoga Photography

[19:08] Building Trust Through Photography

[30:42] Misconceptions About Prisons

[34:02] Personal Reflections and Growth

[35:56] The Importance of Self-Improvement

[43:49] Transition from Military to Creative Pursuits

[44:20] Tragic Circumstances and New Beginnings

[46:00] Embracing New Technologies in Photography

[48:04] Discovering a New World Through Photography

[49:16] Integrating Documentary Photography with Journalism

[51:10] The Unconscious Mind and Creative Processes

[53:14] Capturing Authentic Moments in Photography

[58:34] The Importance of Perspective in Photography

[01:03:10] Honoring Humanity Through Photography

[01:05:28] The Beauty of Aging and Life Lessons from Tao

[01:07:48] Otis the Pup and Animal Advocacy

[01:10:00] Raising Awareness About Animal Testing

[01:13:04] Practical Steps to Support Cruelty-Free Products

[01:16:35] Final Reflections and Takeaways

Resources Mentioned

Otis the Handsome Hound on Instagram

Tao Porchon-Lynch

San Quentin State Prison

Picasso's Acrobats

Robert Sturman website

Robert Sturman Instagram

Robert's Polaroid Series

Braille Institute

Yoga Journal

The Five-Minute Journal

Leonardo da Vinci

Lieutenant Commander Elizabeth Corwin

Val Kilmer

ECOS cleaning products

Cruelty Free Leaping Bunny

Switzerland Food Labels

Beauty Pill

Producer Ben Ford

Questions Asked

When did you first understand the power of questions?

Did you see them light up?

How are you?

How is it that you ended up in San Quentin prison taking pictures of folks?

I wonder where else folks are doing yoga?

Why don't you photograph real people?

What are they talking about?

How can I understand this?

What aspect of this should I take on and apply?

How did that process work for you?

What was the underlying desire to get those onto the covers?

How else in this world would I be invited and welcomed into communities than with the camera and telling this story?

What other way would I be able to go to prison except for committing a crime?

How do you kind of prepare your heart for looking at these new communities as you approach them for the first time?

What kind of things do you think about?

Are you studying them beforehand or just going cold?

How has that worked out for you so far?

In getting to know the people that you're doing this art with, do you use questions at all?

Is that a part of any of your routine?

What kind of car did you drive when you came from New York to California?

How much was gas?

Have you encountered stories of how your images have challenged and changed organizations or people?

What are some things that we get wrong about prison?

What does reconciliation to society look like?

How can they best become a thriving member?

Have you used questions at all in developing either your trust in your work or your processes for how you see the world through photography?

How can I be better?

What does that apply to, all ways as far as how you are developing or, working digitally, setting up the shot? Or is it all of that stuff or particular area?

Does drinking alcohol fog you?

How did you work through recognizing that the way you had been doing things was going away and be able to land on your feet with this new direction?

What did that journey look like for you?

Did you have that sense at that time that the meaning was missing?

How have you known that you were in that space?

Was it a physical manifestation?

Was it just the confidence or what you were seeing through the lens?

How is it that you knew that you're in this flow state?

How do you know that?

How can we honor their full humanity or their full being just by changing our perspective?

What do you think Tao's wrinkles say?

What rings true for you at the moment?

How can I help?

What can I do?

What is your right now question?

How can I make use of my time on this planet and be more awake?

How can I continue to wake up and be here and face this world raw and do whatever it is I can do to contribute to the healing of in life?

What resonated with you?

Are you taking something from others in your interactions, or are you creating something meaningful together?

How does the quality of your attention communicate what you believe about someone's worth?

What are they talking about?

How can I understand this?

When faced with criticism, do you defend your current path or genuinely explore what truth might be hidden in the challenge?

What one question, if asked consistently, would most powerfully guide your daily choices and long-term growth?

Could black holes be making the Universe expand faster?