We were lucky to catch up with Mariah Sargeant recently and have shared our conversation below.
Mariah , we’re so excited for our community to get to know you and learn from your journey and the wisdom you’ve acquired over time. Let’s kick things off with a discussion on self-confidence and self-esteem. How did you develop yours?
My confidence didn’t come from a single moment—it was built over years of breaking cycles, rebuilding myself, and learning to truly see my worth. For a long time, I tied my value to how well I could please or take care of others. I survived things that could have easily broken me, but instead, they became the foundation of my strength.
When I picked up a camera, something shifted. Photography became my therapy and my voice. Through helping other women see their beauty—their real, raw, unfiltered beauty—I started to believe it for myself, too. Every client who walked out of my studio with her head held a little higher reminded me that I was doing the same thing internally.
Confidence, for me, isn’t about perfection. It’s about owning every scar, stretch mark, and story that’s shaped me. It’s about knowing I can walk into any room as myself—fully, unapologetically, and authentically—and that’s more than enough.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I’m the owner and photographer behind Hot Shots Studio in Lakeside, Arizona. I specialize in boudoir and fine art portraits but also offer a range of sessions, including personal branding, maternity, couples, intimate weddings, elopements, engagements, events, and product photography. At the heart of everything I do is empowerment. My studio isn’t just about taking beautiful pictures—it’s about helping people see themselves differently.
There’s something truly magical about watching someone walk in nervous and unsure, then walk out standing taller, smiling wider, and feeling more connected to who they are. That transformation—that moment when they finally see themselves the way I see them—is what fuels me every single day.
What makes Hot Shots Studio special is that every session is deeply personal. I focus on creating an experience that feels safe, fun, and authentic—where laughter, self-expression, and vulnerability are always welcome. My goal is for every client to leave not only with stunning images but with a renewed sense of confidence and appreciation for their own beauty and strength.
Right now, I’m working on developing my Local Partner Program, which will allow me to collaborate with other small businesses in the White Mountains community. The goal is to help showcase the incredible local talent here by creating high-quality photo content that businesses can use for their social media and marketing. As any business owner knows, content creation can be overwhelming, and this program is designed to take that pressure off while helping everyone shine.
At its core, Hot Shots Studio is about more than photography—it’s about community, confidence, and connection. It’s about helping people fall in love with themselves, one photo at a time.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
The three most impactful qualities in my journey have been resilience, authenticity, and connection.
Resilience has carried me through every challenge. Running a business, especially one built on emotion and vulnerability like photography, comes with setbacks, self-doubt, and growing pains. But every obstacle taught me something—about business, about people, and about myself. My advice is to give yourself grace, stay adaptable, and remember that growth rarely feels comfortable.
Authenticity is what set my business apart. When I stopped trying to fit into what I thought people wanted and started showing up fully as me, everything changed. People can feel genuine energy—it builds trust. For anyone just starting out, I’d say don’t be afraid to show your personality, your quirks, or even your mistakes. That’s what makes your brand human and magnetic.
And connection is the soul of what I do. Photography is personal; it’s about creating a safe space for people to be seen. Building relationships, listening to people’s stories, and treating every client like a friend turned my sessions into experiences instead of transactions. If you want to grow, focus on people first—the rest follows naturally.
These three things—resilience, authenticity, and connection—are the backbone of Hot Shots Studio and the reason I get to wake up every day and do what I love.
We’ve all got limited resources, time, energy, focus etc – so if you had to choose between going all in on your strengths or working on areas where you aren’t as strong, what would you choose?
I think it’s important to do both—but to start by going all in on your strengths. Your strengths are your foundation; they’re what set you apart and make your work stand out. When I first started Hot Shots Studio, I leaned heavily into what came naturally to me—creativity, connection, and emotional storytelling. That’s what built the heart of my business.
Once I had that foundation, I started working on the areas that didn’t come as easily—like marketing, systems, and business structure. Those things didn’t feel as natural, but I knew they were essential if I wanted my passion to be sustainable. I didn’t try to be “perfect” at everything; I just learned enough to make things flow.
The truth is, confidence comes from mastering what you’re already good at, and growth comes from challenging what you’re not. You need both. I’ve found that when I operate from my strengths, I lead with passion. When I invest in my weaknesses, I lead with intention. And that balance is where the real magic happens.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.hotshotsboudoir.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/boudoir.by.hot.shots.studio/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hot.shots.studio.az
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