In today’s Weapons of Mass Creation Fest talk, enjoy a candid conversation with headshot photographer and personal branding strategist Michael Cavotta, who shares the secret to unleashing your inner exceptionalist and getting face-to-face with your best self.

Michael Cavotta is an award-winning photographer, personal branding coach and ass-kicking agent of authenticity.

Prior to a career reboot in 2009, Michael had been a serial entrepreneur and venture catalyst with over 10 years of experience helping launch a long list of exceptional start-ups including iPod accessory pioneer, Mophie®. Along the way, he picked up a camera and taught himself how to use it, cutting his teeth shooting editorial food and interiors for Cleveland Magazine and other publications.

In 2010, Michael traded the mercenary work of branding opportunity for the missionary work of branding people. Six months later, he had secured an Associate position with renowned NY headshot photographer, Peter Hurley. By 2013, the distinction between Michael’s on-camera craft and off-camera coaching had disappeared, prompting his certification as a Reach® Personal Brand Strategist under William Arruda.

In the years that followed, Michael’s original thoughts on image and authenticity–what he likes to call the You Quotient™–have been published around the world.

You can learn more about Michael on his official site. Now, enjoy F#@% your Function / Fuel Your Fire…

About WMC Fest: Weapons of Mass Creation Fest is a massively popular three-day event created and hosted in Cleveland, OH. Attendees mostly include professional designers, artists, students and small business owners who flock from around the country, including popular creative hubs like New York, Los Angeles, Austin, San Francisco and Chicago. This year, attendees will have access to 10 speakers, 8 workshops, 3 panels and over 20 vendors. Alumni include Stefan Sagmeister, Michael Bierut, Debbie Millman, Tad Carpenter, Aaron Draplin, Austin Kleon, Brandon Rike, Chuck Anderson, Dan Christofferson, James White, Johnny Cupcakes, Mark Brickey and the Adventures in Design Podcast, and Jon Contino and National Poster Retrospecticus. WMC Fest attendance has ballooned every year since its 2010 debut, with over 1,200 packing event venues in 2016. Stay tuned to more information about next year’s event at wmcfest.com.