Today we’d like to introduce you to Samuel Goodson.
Hi Samuel, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstories.
I’ve always been a creative person and feel been interested in learning different things. I took a fashion class in high school, got my bachelors in public relations, and MBA as my graduate degree so I see myself as a jack of all trades. I was introduced to photography through one of my mother’s co-workers suggesting she get me a camera while I was in high school. After getting the camera as a Christmas present, I would take pictures for events my mother would plan. During that time, I didn’t know what any of the photography terms were, but I would still get compliments on the pictures I’d take and even got paid to do a few graduation photos. Fast-forward to around the pandemic I decided to take photography serious watching a ton of YouTube videos such as Manny Ortiz, Photo-Me-Ike, and Brandon Cole Photography. Over the last couple of years, I have seen steady progress in my clientele and my photography. I have not learned everything and am continuing to learn but I am happy with where I am today.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Having a full-time job, working on my MBA, and trying to start a business during the pandemic made things difficult at times. I often felt overwhelmed and with the pandemic I wasn’t able to get a return on my investments into equipment with the amount of COVID cases. Just with anything else in life, you have to have confidence in yourself, or you won’t be successful. It’s been plenty of times I’ve wanted to give up due to not getting consistent clientele or struggling to get out of my comfort zone. The thought of investing time/money into something and it failing is always a huge obstacle for anyone to overcome.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am a photographer/creator located in Dallas, TX and from the Oak Cliff area. I specialize in portraits (birthday, maternity, family, etc.) and event photography (baby shower, birthday party, etc.). Although I will often be referred to as a photographer, I view myself as more of a creator because my goal is to bring my clients vision to life to the best of my ability. I pride myself on making my clients as comfortable as possible and don’t want to give the client what I think they’d like but as close as possible to what they asked for. Often times I enjoy working with people who have never done a photoshoot before because I am to reassure them that everything is going to come out great.
What’s next?
For my short-term goals, I am still working on having consistent clientele as well as expanding my services to sports photography and adding videography to my set of skills. My long-term goal is to open my own studio and create a team of creatives to work in it. I’m also looking to give back to my community in Oak Cliff by collaborating with local black-owned businesses to create content for them as I know branding and social media presence is very important today.
Contact Info:
- Website: samshotme.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/samshotme_/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100089327257926
Image Credits
@_chasityh
@chidera_an
@jayladmaya
@chasadyelaine_
@pineappleesss_
