We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Samantha Bailey. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Samantha below.

Hi Samantha, thanks for joining us today. Do you think your parents have had a meaningful impact on you and your journey?

My parents have always been my siblings’ and my greatest supporters. Regardless of our aspirations, they consistently encouraged us and offered assistance in any way possible. They diligently documented our childhood—whether it was my father recording home videos or my mother snapping countless photos of our everyday activities.

From an early age, I recognized the significance of capturing memories with loved ones. I vividly recall my mother giving me a disposable camera for a first-grade field trip. The excitement of choosing which 24 moments to immortalize in the museum with my friends left a lasting impression on me. Even now, I experience that same thrill when deciding how to capture special moments.

I am profoundly grateful to my parents for introducing me to the art of photography and videography, and for instilling in me the importance of preserving memories. I truly believe they recognized early on that I was destined to document the world in some meaningful way.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

For as long as I can remember, I’ve been passionate about photography and capturing moments. Growing up, my mom would give me disposable cameras now and then, and I’d get so excited to document whatever was happening around me. When I turned 10, my parents gave me my first blue digital camera, and I couldn’t have been more thrilled. I took it everywhere, and every time my friends and I hung out, I insisted on having a photoshoot.

Throughout high school, my camera was always with me—capturing school events and even regular days. Senior year, I joined the yearbook staff, and that’s when my love for photography truly deepened. I got to combine taking photos with designing them into a book, and I knew then that I wanted to study graphic design and start a photography business. By 2017, I officially launched my LLC and was ready to dive into being a business owner. The four years after graduating in 2013 were filled with countless free sessions to build my portfolio and refine my skills. I fell in love with the entire process, from taking photos to editing them.

Between 2017 and 2020, I worked various jobs during the day to save up for equipment while focusing on photography during the weekends. I spent countless nights editing, taking courses on posing and editing, and figuring out how to turn my passion into a full-time business.

In 2020, my husband and I took a leap of faith and moved to Florida on a whim. Within a few months, I was able to go full-time with my photography business! The years of hard work, learning, and dedication finally paid off. Moving to a new state brought its own challenges—adjusting to the new environment and learning how to handle the Florida sun during shoots. I had to rebuild my business from the ground up, but it was all worth it. Four years later, I’m incredibly grateful for the clients I’ve worked with and the growth I’ve experienced. There’s still so much to learn, but I wouldn’t be where I am today without the sacrifices and hard work I put in since starting in 2017.

My main goal for every session is to make it more than “just another family photo session.” I want my clients to leave saying, “Wow, that was fun!” I strive to create unique experiences tailored to each family or couple, capturing memories meant to be passed down through generations. Every session is different because every client is unique.

When someone books a session with me, it’s a huge honor. I know they’re trusting me to capture a special time in their life, and I never take that for granted.

My business, Wanderlust Memories, is all about creating memories that will travel with you for a lifetime.

Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?

A common trend I’ve noticed with some business owners on social media is the lack of personality. They post about their products or services, and that’s it. As a consumer, I find it hard to connect with or buy from pages that don’t have any personal touch. For me, growing my social media presence came from sharing snippets of my personal life and showing my personality alongside my business.

When people feel a connection, they’re more comfortable making a purchase. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve arrived at a session, and the client says, “I feel like I know you from Instagram!” It’s such a great feeling, knowing we’ve already built a connection that makes them feel at ease. I love sharing my life with my followers—it’s what helps create that sense of familiarity and trust.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

One of the most rewarding aspects of being a photographer is the trust people place in me to capture their most significant life milestones—whether it’s a proposal, baby announcement, birth, wedding, or any other special moment. It’s truly an honor to be a part of those cherished memories!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.wanderlustmemoriesllc.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/hellosamanthabailey
• Facebook: https://facebook.com/hellosamanthabailey
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@hellosamanthabailey
• Other: TikTok: @hellosamanthabailey

Image Credits

Wanderlust Memories LLC