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

Samantha, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Can you talk to us about how you learned to do what you do?

I started photography from a young age and always had a love for capturing candid moments of my friends and family. I got my first DSLR when I was 14 and that was really the start of it all. After many years of photography being a hobby, I decided to start taking it seriously in college. I upgraded my camera and started learning the ins and outs of shooting in manual and what every single button did. While I was learning my camera and how to use Lightroom, I knew I needed subjects to practice on so I did some free “model calls” to get some couples in front of my lens. I offered free photos in exchange for their time and made it clear that I was still learning.

While practicing as often as possible, I also invested into tons of education! I attended some workshops hosted by really amazing, established photographers so I could learn from them about all things involving owning a business as well as the technical and creative aspect of the job. I also invested in online education from photographers who were not local so that I could learn from them remotely.

These investments were truly the biggest game changer for my business and I wish I would have dove into that route sooner. The biggest obstacle of owning a creative business is being your own worst critic and comparing your work to those around you. When I decided to take the reins of my business and throw 100% of my effort into it, I became so much more confident in my work, which in turn helped my creativity skyrocket. I of course still struggle with the comparison game but I try to let it motivate me rather than bring me down!

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers

I am a wedding, elopement and couples photographer based out of San Diego, CA! My biggest passion is giving couples a tangible memory that they get to look back on and cherish forever. Documenting all those special milestones and precious moments between a couple and their friends and family brings me so much joy! Everyone is familiar with the warm nostalgic feeling you get when you look back on old photos and I love that the product I deliver only becomes more and more priceless as time passes.
I started couples photography specifically after I got engaged myself because I was introduced to this wonderful industry wrapped around happiness! I always say that I love LOVE because I get so invested in my work and watching my client express their love truly resonates with me on so many levels!

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

The most rewarding aspect of this job is seeing my clients’ reactions to their photos. Nothing means more to me than hearing that I made someone feel beautiful and confident in front of the camera. When I deliver a wedding gallery, I absolutely love seeing the client share the photos for months or even years after their wedding day. I pour my heart and soul into my work so this is the moment when I feel that all of the work was worth it!

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

When I first started my photography journey, the goal was never to make a lot of money or to own an insanely busy or successful business and it still isn’t. I was drawn to this field for my love of people and the sense of pride I get from serving them well. I love not only the photography community, but also the community and connection I find with my clients. My number one mission has always been to provide an incredible experience for every single couple from beginning to end, as well as to show them the beauty that they radiate onto this Earth!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://samanthaphillipsphoto.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/samanthaphillipsphoto/
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/samantha-phillips-photography-san-diego

Image Credits
Samantha Phillips Photography