Today we’d like to introduce you to Samantha Sandusky.
Hi Samantha, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’ve always had a love for photography and journalism throughout high school, and always obsessed with the power that a photo holds (I was obsessed with the concept of Humans of New York and how many stories and emotions a single photo contains). In 2019, when I went off to college, I felt like I had to study something practical and useful instead of allowing myself to explore my interests in photography and pursue what I actually love doing. I put so much pressure on myself to make a future for myself that I forgot to have fun and let myself be creative. When my son was born my last semester at Texas A&M, I was blessed with the opportunity to stay home with him. In the midst of capturing all of his milestones these first few months, I realized it was time to let myself pursue my passions for photography and more. I felt like if I didn’t take the leap and try to pursue photography now, I never would, and so I just went for it.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
One of the biggest challenges I’ve faced is changing my mindset and focusing on the positives rather than negatives or “what-ifs.” It’s easy to get discouraged by the competition, the uncertainty, the rejection, or the criticism that comes with being a photographer, especially with the growth of social media platforms. There have definitely been moments where I’ve doubted myself and wondered if I was good enough, if I was charging too much or too little, if I was making the right decisions, or if I was wasting my time even trying.
I’ve realized that dwelling on these negative thoughts holds me back from reaching my full potential. I’ve started to celebrate my achievements, no matter how small or big they were. I learned from my mistakes and feedback and used them as opportunities to grow and improve. I’ve also learned to remind myself that we all learn at our own speed and capacity. I’ve stopped working for “likes” and for social media presence and stopped allowing myself to believe that I need to fit into a specific mold just because someone on Instagram says that I do. I believe the artistic community should support growth and learning rather than belittlement, and I want to show others the same kindness I wish they would show me while I grow as well.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am a lifestyle photographer specializing in couples and grads. I love capturing the authentic moments and emotions of people in different stages of their lives, whether it is celebrating their love, graduating from school, or welcoming a new life. I am known for my natural and candid style, as well as my friendly and professional approach.
What I am most proud of is my growth, both professionally and personally. Over the last year of opening up my own photography business, I have learned so much about the craft, the industry, and myself. I have improved my skills, expanded my network, and built my reputation. I have also overcome many challenges, such as changing my mindset, managing my finances, and dealing with difficult clients. Looking back, I hardly recognize where I began.
What sets me apart from others is my positivity and flexibility to work with others easily. I understand that life is chaotic and circumstances change, and I am always willing to adapt to my client’s needs and schedules. I also try to make every session fun and enjoyable and create a relationship with my clients. I believe that photography is not only about taking pictures but also about creating memories and friendships.
Risk-taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
I feel like there’s always going to be a little bit of risk involved with anything you do, so you might as well just go for it! For me, I’ve always tried to view any of my decisions in life or my career as just part of the process. If I fail, I can at least say I learned from the experience. I’ve worked really hard to change my mindset from being afraid of even trying to instead thinking about the disappointment I might feel if I never do put myself out there and follow my dreams. I think the first mindset is more tragic than trying and failing.
Contact Info:
- Website: sammisandphoto.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sammisandphoto/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sammisandphoto/
