Life & Work with Samantha Hollingsworth

Today we’d like to introduce you to Samantha Hollingsworth.

Hi Samantha, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstories with our readers?
I have always loved art being creative. I took film photography in high school and always have admired good photos and the memories and feelings that they stir up. It wasn’t until I was older that I figured out that that could be a career. I have been behind the camera on and off for about 5 years now, but it wasn’t until quarantine hit that I rediscovered my passion for photography. My life has always been go, go go, so sitting down and having a chance to be and feel creative was far and few in between. Once quarantine hit, I wanted a passion project. I picked up my camera and I haven’t put it down since!

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It hasn’t been a smooth road, but I think that is typical of starting any business. I have had a lot of growing pains, but they have all moved me in a positive direction which has been good! I think the hardest thing about photography is the comparison trap. I think everyone falls into it at some point, but when you are first starting out and really trying to figure out what your true style is, it can be challenging when all you do is see people 50 steps ahead of you and what they are doing. It has taken me a lot of time to figure out what I really like and love to create. It’s still a process, but if you stay in your lane and focus on what you like, it’s a lot easier! It has also been challenging trying to juggle family life. I am someone who when they decide on something, put their heart and soul into it. Which means that other things in my life can get neglected sometimes. I have two kids, so trying to balance a new business and family life was very challenging at first, but now we are in a groove and I love the freedom that I now have with photography both in personal and in business!

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am a wedding, elopement, and portrait photographer. I focus mainly on couples, but will also photograph families, maternity, and brands when our vibes and vision match.  My style is documentary-based, so I don’t focus on having people smile at the camera but my goal is to always photograph people in an authentic and real way. I want people to look at their photos and see themselves, but with a unique twist!

I am most proud of just putting myself out there. Photography to me is personal, it’s an art and any type of art can be subject to criticism. I am a people pleaser, so taking a risk and posting my photos and creating a business has been so scary, but doing it scared and doing it anyway is something I am so proud of!

What was your favorite childhood memory?
My favorite childhood memory is hands down experiencing life with my family! Every year we would take one or two vacations and just get to experience something new! We have a lot of family in Nashville, so we would usually always road trip out there and we always went skiing in Colorado.  I like to think these trips helped shape my love for adventure and travel! Experiencing the world is also something that I want to instill in my kids’ lives. I want them to experience life more than material objects!

Contact Info:

• Email: samantha@samanthahollicreative.com
• Website: www.samanthahollicreative.com
• Instagram: @samanthahollicreative
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/samanthahollicreative

Image Credits
Photo-KC.