Conversations with the Inspiring Samantha Clarke

Today we’d like to introduce you to Samantha Clarke.

So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I started in photography as a hobby, when I was pursuing my Masters degree in grad school. At that time, I wasn’t sure that I would turn my passion for photography into a business. I just knew I loved it. I booked my first job right after a friend of mine believed I was capable and asked me to capture her wedding day in 2009. I didn’t realize that it was the beginning of my business. So I continued my program in grad school and graduated with my Master’s degree in international relations. Shortly after, I enrolled in law school, and I studied there while running my flourishing photography business on the side. Through law school, I had no idea I’d gain so many jobs both locally and internationally. I was commissioned to photograph beautiful couples in places like St. Lucia, Jamaica, St. Maarten, and Paris, to name a few. In addition, I was also able to secure several publications in international magazines like The Knot, BlackBride, Essence, and Martha Stewart Weddings. I was always passionate about helping people, so I didn’t let my passion for law go. I kept studying and graduated from law school, passed the bar, and worked as a lawyer for three years. It got to the point where I couldn’t juggle two jobs anymore because I truly wanted to travel and do the job that allowed me to do that freely. I left my legal practice and went full time as a photographer. The whole journey has been a total of 10 years. I’m truly grateful for every opportunity!

Has it been a smooth road?
The struggles were more along the line of juggling it all and managing my time well. Being your own boss isn’t just about making your own schedule and living the “good life”. It’s very time-consuming to manage several clients, travel, and administrative things as well. Also, when you’re starting something, it’s easy to think that you’ll be able to jump in with both feet. I wasn’t able to do that at first. I made sure I learned how to manage my time wisely. I learned how to say no to certain projects that I knew were not a good fit for me. I suggest being very clear about your purpose in business and about the reason why you’re starting the business in the first place. This will help to make your priorities very clear and make saying no easier. I still work on this because sometimes priorities can change, and that’s totally okay!

So let’s switch gears a bit and go into Samantha Clarke Photography story. Tell us more about the business.
My team and I specialize in wedding and portrait photography for stylish couples and brands. By starting my career as a lawyer, I have been able to understand the importance of running a business with absolute professionalism and from a place of service. I have a passion for people and for storytelling, and now I use my camera as my tool to convey a story through photos. I’m honored to be commissioned for work all over the US, Canada, Europe, and the Caribbean. I’ve been able to teach through workshops and my courses. I also mentor other photographers as they grow their businesses.

Do you have any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general? What has worked well for you?
I think networking is essential, but sometimes it has a bad rep. Most of us are most comfortable with double-tapping and DM’ing. And don’t get me wrong, Instagram is a great tool to follow people you admire, but in person connections are unbeatable. Meeting a person and speaking with them allows you to get to know them a lot better. I suggest pushing yourself to attend as many events, conferences, or trade shows in your industry as possible. At least one per month locally and potentially one per year outside of your local neighborhood. Instead of handing out business cards to strangers, try to ask thoughtful questions and listen to others to make genuine connections with like-minded people. I also think finding a mentor should be about service rather than receiving something from them. Think about how you can serve someone in a position that you want to be in. Most likely they’ll be willing to invest in your success once they see your willingness to be of service first. This has helped me a lot in my career!

Contact Info:

• Website: www.samantha-clarke.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/samanthaclarke
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/samanthaclarkephotography
• Other: My photography courses: https://samantha-clarke-education.thinkific.com/

Image Credit:
Samantha Clarke Photography

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