Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Samantha Schneeberger. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Samantha , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Let’s start with the story of your mission. What should we know?

At Messy Momma Memories, my mission is simple: to get moms out from behind the camera and into the moments with their kids. Let’s be real, us moms are always the ones taking the photos. We’re capturing every milestone, every “first,” but when we look back, we’re missing. I’m on a mission to change that, one beautiful, messy, love filled photo at a time.

This mission means so much to me because I’ve been there. As a mom of three, I’ve lived the chaos, the sticky hands, the sleepless nights, the endless snacks (for them, not me, of course). I’ve also seen how those moments fly by in the blink of an eye. The truth is, the messy moments are the good stuff. They’re what we’ll miss one day, and they deserve to be celebrated, not avoided because of a little mess.

My goal isn’t just to take pictures, it’s to create a movement. I want every mom who works with me to fully embrace their Messy Momma Moments because that’s where the magic is. I want to build a community of Messy Mommas who lift each other up, laugh through the chaos, and realize that perfection is overrated. Motherhood is about finding joy (and maybe a little humor) in the spilled milk, mismatched socks, and sticky kisses.

With every session, I’m reminded of how incredible moms are. We’re the glue that holds it all together, even when that glue feels more like glitter and Play-Doh stuck to the carpet. And it’s my honor to make sure you and your kids have photos that show just how beautiful and hilariously messy this season of life truly is.

So, here’s to the Messy Mommas out there. Let’s create some memories, share some laughs, and maybe even inspire each other to love this wild ride of motherhood just a little bit more.

Samantha , love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I’m Samantha, the messy momma behind Messy Momma Memories. I’m a motherhood and family photographer based in Hampshire, Illinois, serving families across the northwest suburbs of Chicago. My specialty is capturing the raw, heartfelt, and beautifully imperfect moments that make motherhood the crazy, wonderful ride that it is.

I’ve always been a creative at heart. Before photography, I worked as a hair and makeup artist for weddings, helping brides feel beautiful on their big day. Through that career, I met so many incredible photographers who inspired me and encouraged my interest in photography. They saw my passion and told me to pick up a camera and go for it, so I did. I’m a self-taught photographer, and while the journey wasn’t easy, it was absolutely worth it.

My brand, Messy Momma Memories, has been my passion for years, even before I became a photographer. As a mom myself, I’ve experienced the pressure of trying to “keep up” with other moms and have endured my fair share of mom shaming. I hated the competitive nature that seemed to come with motherhood. I wanted to foster a different kind of environment—one built on love, support, and connection.

That passion started to take shape during a unique “Mommy and Me” event I hosted back when I was a hair stylist. I partnered with a photographer friend and invited moms to participate in a photoshoot that was all about reflection and empowerment. The first set of photos captured these moms bare-faced, holding signs with the meanest things another mother had said to them, and we talked about how those words made them feel. Then, I gave them makeovers, doing their hair and makeup, and we photographed them with their children while they shared the most uplifting things another mother had ever said to them. It was a deeply moving experience and a memory I’ll carry with me forever. That photographer friend saw my passion and encouraged me to keep going with what she called my “Messy Momma Movement.”

In November of 2020, I officially launched my photography business, focusing on local family sessions. The need for a family photographer in my community was clear, and I jumped in with both feet. By February of 2021, I opened my first studio at the Dole Mansion in Crystal Lake. During that time, I was lucky to have the incredible support of my cousin’s wife, Nathalia. She had already started her photography business in Colorado, and when they moved to Crystal Lake, it was the perfect partnership. She was starting fresh in a new place, and I was just getting started in my journey. Together, we built each other up, brainstormed creative ideas, and inspired one another to keep pushing forward. As moms and business owners, we also held each other accountable during those moments when life felt overwhelming. Nathalia was an essential part of my early success, and I’ll always be grateful for her support and friendship.

Within a year, I outgrew my first studio and moved to a larger space to better accommodate my clients and my growing business. Then, in December of 2023, I was thrilled to open an even larger studio in my hometown of Hampshire to better serve the community that has supported me from the start.

2023 and 2024 were years of tremendous growth for me. I’ve been so lucky to find incredible support within the photography community, embracing a “community over competition” mindset. Fellow photographers have welcomed me, mentored me, and cheered me on. One of the most impactful experiences on my journey was attending a photography retreat hosted by the talented Naomi Hopkins. I spent a weekend learning, fine-tuning my craft, and gaining invaluable business insights while surrounded by ten other talented photographers. That retreat was transformative—not only for my skills but also for my heart. Naomi and I became fast friends, and to this day, we still visit and support each other.

Now, with three studio spaces and countless sessions under my belt, I still hold onto the same mission I started with. I want moms to embrace their messy moments, to be proud of the chaos, and to know they’re not alone. My goal is to create a community of moms who love and support one another, finding joy and humor in the craziness of motherhood. Whether it’s your baby grabbing your face mid-photo or your toddler refusing to sit still, those moments are what make life real, raw, and beautiful.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

When I first started expressing my interest in photography, I was met with mixed reactions from the photographers I knew through my work as a hair stylist and makeup artist. While many were encouraging, a few were less supportive. They told me how hard the industry is, how competitive it can be, and even mentioned how some photographers can be downright mean. As a hair stylist, I understood the value of seniority and experience, and I was nervous about stepping on anyone’s toes as a newcomer in what I knew was a saturated and competitive community. As someone who is sensitive and tends to avoid conflict, their words stuck with me and held me back from pursuing my passion for years.

Still, photography stayed on my mind. I couldn’t stop talking about it, dreaming about it, or imagining what it would be like to create something meaningful for other moms like me. Eventually, those same photographers changed their tune. They encouraged me to take the leap, telling me that while it would be challenging, it would also be incredibly rewarding. They guided me to start by building my portfolio and setting a solid foundation before officially launching my business. It was the push I needed, and in November 2020, I finally brought Messy Momma Memories to life.

Starting out, I was filled with excitement and hope, but reality hit hard. Early in my journey, an aspiring photographer in my community began spreading negativity about me. She and her family posted on our local community Facebook page, claiming I wasn’t a “real” photographer and urging people to shoot with the photographer she assisted instead. I remember being at work in the salon, fielding calls from friends asking who this person was and why they were so set on publicly shaming me. It was heartbreaking—not because I cared what this person thought, but because I feared their negativity would turn my own community against me and undo everything I was working so hard to build.

What happened next reminded me why I started this journey in the first place. My fellow mom friends and members of the community stepped in. They defended me on social media, shared their wonderful experiences working with me, and praised my talent, even though they knew I was just starting out. Their kindness and support lifted me during a time when I wanted to shrink back and give up. I realized that while negativity might be loud, the voices of those who truly believed in me were louder.

I’ve also been incredibly fortunate to find unwavering support within the photography community. Local photographers like Ashley Klemm, Nathalia Harden, Jillian Varnea, and Kacey Ryan have been my cheerleaders, sharing advice, ideas, and encouragement along the way. They reminded me that the doubters and naysayers could serve a purpose—they could be my ultimate motivators.

Beyond my local network, I’ve connected with an amazing group of photographers through retreats and workshops, including Naomi Hopkins, Amy Headington, Brittany Leigh, Danielle D, Sarah Andretta, McKenzie Compton, Adrienne Rawlings, Lauren Palmer, Melissa Wilson, and Jessica King. These women, many of whom have more experience than me, have been incredibly uplifting. At retreats, they’ve shared their journeys as wives, mothers, and business owners, showing me the true power of “community over competition.” Their support and guidance have been invaluable, both personally and professionally.

Persevering through the challenges of starting my business hasn’t been easy, but it’s taught me an important lesson: resilience comes from finding your people, leaning on their support, and staying true to your passion, no matter what obstacles come your way.

Through it all, I’ve learned to embrace the messy moments in my own life and my work. Those moments—the ones filled with chaos, imperfection, and raw emotion—are what make life so beautiful. They’re the moments I aim to capture for my clients, and they’re the heart of Messy Momma Memories.

How did you build your audience on social media?

Building my social media presence has been a journey of authenticity, connection, and consistency. When I first started Messy Momma Memories, I focused on building my portfolio on Instagram. Every time I worked with a mom or family, I tagged them in my posts, which helped spread the word about my work to their networks. I quickly realized the power of Instagram Stories to connect with my audience on a more personal level, so I began sharing behind-the-scenes videos during my sessions and regularly shared glimpses into my own life as a mom.

I leaned into the Messy Momma Moments that inspired my brand, finding humor in the chaos of motherhood and sharing those relatable stories with my audience. For example, there was the time I drove my daughter to a dance competition pretty far from home, only to realize I had forgotten my wallet. There I was, no money, no way to buy her lunch or any of the dance gear being sold at the competition. Instead of letting the shame and frustration get the best of me, I brainstormed a solution. I found a nearby bank where I could have a debit card printed and, with a little help from another dance mom watching my daughter, managed to survive what could have been a disaster. Or the time I discovered that my son had drawn a poop emoji on his bedroom door and even added googly eyes. Instead of getting upset, I laughed, because sometimes in motherhood, you have to choose humor over frustration. Sharing stories like these has helped me connect with other moms, who can see that I truly live the messy momma life.

In addition to keeping it real on Instagram, I made sure to link my account to Facebook so I could reach an even broader audience (because, hey, why not let my messy momma moments shine on all the platforms?). I started posting in local Facebook groups, sharing my work and chatting with community members. These groups became a goldmine for connections and opportunities to collaborate.

Building relationships with local businesses has also been a huge part of my growth. For example, I partnered with a local garden center where I take annual Mother’s Day photos in their gorgeous greenhouse—it’s become a tradition that moms look forward to. Another favorite collaboration has been with Hampshire Social, a coffee shop and bar owned by two incredible families in my town. I photographed their business when they first opened, and we’ve just wrapped up our third session together as a business in addition to their annual family sessions. I love supporting these two amazing mothers and small business owners as they continue to grow and bring our community together over coffee and cocktails!

This year, I’m taking it a step further by offering my services free of charge in January to all women-owned businesses. I’m providing headshots, product shots, and branding advice to help these amazing women elevate their businesses. It’s my way of giving back and spreading the love—because when women support each other, amazing things happen.

My social media presence has grown because of my commitment to blending real life with my work. I’m not just a photographer—I’m a mom who understands the challenges and humor of motherhood, and I share that openly. Whether it’s posting professional photos of my clients or messy mom moments from my own life, my audience knows they’re getting the real me.

By showing up consistently, engaging with my community, and collaborating with local businesses, I’ve built a following that values not just my work but also the person behind the camera. It’s not just about photography—it’s about connection, authenticity, and lifting others up along the way.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.messymommamemories.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/messymommamemories/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/messymommamemories
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@themessymomma