Today we’d like to introduce you to Samantha Green.
Hi Samantha, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Hi! I’m Samantha Green, a 26-year-old photographer born in Mexico but currently residing in Georgia. My journey into photography started when I immigrated to the United States at the age of 11. Adapting to a new country without knowing the language was a difficult challenge, but it laid the groundwork for resilience and determination.
My introduction to the world of photography came through observing my parents, who were working for a company as photographers and videographers when I arrived in the US. Witnessing their entrepreneurial spirit, they ventured into starting their own photography and videography business. I vividly remember accompanying them as they tirelessly distributed business cards, knocked on doors, and explored every avenue to promote their start-up business.
During my high school years, I joined my parents, assisting them in event photography. It was during this time that my passion for photography blossomed. I found myself captivated by the art of capturing moments and telling stories through photographs. Whether I was photographing events for my ROTC class or working with my parents and other photography companies, every opportunity further fueled my love for the craft.
After high school, I moved to Las Vegas, a move that initially dampened my enthusiasm for photography due to a lack of motivation and social connections. However, upon returning to Georgia a few years later, I reignited my passion for photography. Despite starting from scratch once again, I found an opportunity to offer Christmas mini-sessions, which proved to be a success, selling out quickly and awakening confidence in my abilities.
Transitioning to full-time photography was not without its challenges. Juggling various roles, including working as a mushroom farmer, I faced physical and financial strain. However, the unexpected layoff during the COVID-19 pandemic served as a motivation for me to fully commit to my photography business.
With determination and courage, I transformed a spare room in our trailer home into a studio and started on a journey of continuous learning and growth. Through meticulous attention to detail in editing in Photoshop and strategic marketing efforts on social media, I gradually built a loyal clientele base.
Today, I am honored to be a trusted photographer for numerous families, capturing their most precious moments and preserving cherished memories. Inspired by my parents’ entrepreneurial journey, I am committed to realizing my dream of establishing a studio of my own, debt-free, and continuing to live the American dream through my passion for photography.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Running your own business is never an easy road. For me as a creative, I have endured many obstacles. One of them has to be charging my worth while still booking enough clients to sustain a living. One of the main reasons photographers or artists give up is due to not earning enough. While I love what I do, I also have expenses that require me to charge enough to cover them and that has been difficult to explain and make clients understand.
Over these years I’ve struggled to reach my ideal clientele but slowly we are getting there. Another struggle has been standing out and being different in this saturated market. You have to put hours and hours of research into trends, ideas, and resources that can help you stand out. If you do not stand out you’ll be an easy option for clients to pass on.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I started working in events at a young age so I have more experience in event photography, however, what I love doing the most is photographing women. I’ve dealt with insecurities all my life and over the past years, I have learned to love every inch of my body. I am happy to now help other women feel the same! Most of my work is maternity but I also capture birthdays, business portraits, graduations as well as children!
My work mainly focuses on editing. I let my clients know that my art continues after we are done with their session. I spend 3+ weeks perfecting my client’s images through editing and bringing fun and magical results with photo manipulation! My clients are able to make requests for things they’d like to change or add to their photos so they can have a perfect photograph. I also share what I know with other photographers and motivate them to learn and invest in their knowledge.
So maybe we end on discussing what matters most to you and why?
What matters the most to me is capturing women’s essence and empowering them through my lens. I believe in celebrating the beauty, strength, and individuality of every woman I photograph. It’s about creating a safe and comfortable environment where they can express themselves freely, allowing their true personalities to shine through.
I strive to highlight their unique features, emotions, and stories, showcasing their beauty in all its diversity. Ultimately, my goal is to not just take pictures but to capture moments that evoke confidence, pride, and a sense of empowerment in the women and everyone I work with.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://samanthagphoto.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/samanthagphoto
- Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/samanthagreenphoto
- TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@samanthagphoto?_t=8kOMUwBAvZi&_r=1
