Today we’d like to introduce you to Samantha (Sammy) Kopecky.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Samantha Kopecky Photography is a Kansas City/Midwest-based Catholic wedding photography company I started back in 2016 with one simple desire: to bring deeper meaning to the hearts of humans.
I was fourteen the first time I picked up a professional camera. I bought it from my aunt with all my savings—and from the moment I held it, I was obsessed. I photographed anything that would sit still long enough—friends at coffee shops, flowers, trees—and my first ever paid shoot that year: a family session for a friend that lasted three hours and took me almost a month to edit.
I didn’t have a business plan. I just loved people. I loved encountering them, capturing their beauty and emotion—those raw, unfiltered moments where they could see their own goodness. Even early on, I remember thinking, “This. This is it.”
Hundreds and hundreds of shoots, SD cards, and social media posts later, Samantha Kopecky Photography has grown into something I could’ve never dreamed of: a full team of a dozen photographers, media managers, and editors united by one vision—to tell human stories with Jesus Christ at the center.
“Don’t ask me to leave you! Let me go with you. Wherever you go, I will go; wherever you live, I will live. Your people will be my people, and your God will be my God.”
— Ruth 1:16
In 2025, I answered another call—to become a FOCUS missionary. I now serve college students at San Diego State University, walking with them in discipleship and helping them grow in deeper intimacy with Jesus Christ and His Church. I live in Southern California part time and in Kansas City part time, and run my photography business remotely, balancing both vocations with a lot of grace (and coffee).
I’ll never forget one moment in prayer when I told the Lord, “Jesus, I will leave it all behind—the entire photography business—if this is what You’re asking of me.” And in His goodness, He didn’t take it away. He said, “I am a God of abundance. I don’t just take—I give more than you could ever ask or imagine.”
From that trust, I began building a team—and He blessed every part of it. Now, SKP is made up of incredible, faith-filled photographers who carry the same mission, vision, and reverence for marriage that started it all. These women are talented, joyful, prayerful, and truly such a gift to every couple we serve.
I’m thankful that even with all of the hats I wear now, I still get to be deeply involved in every couple’s experience—from communication and planning to prayer and vision. Each couple is served by a whole team that believes that marriage is sacred and that beauty is a reflection of God.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I love this question because it reminds us of the work we have all put into our businesses, and it is so easy to forget! Of course, it hasn’t always been a smooth road. I started photographing weddings when I was just 15, and now—almost a decade later—I’m still one of the younger professionals in the industry. Much less a young professional with a team! From a young age, I had to learn how to carry myself with poise and intentionality. This means running each part of my business with high competency and attention to detail, so that our couples (and other vendors/wedding planners) trust us to capture one of the most sacred days of their lives.
On top of that, I also serve as a full-time missionary, so finding a healthy balance between pouring into people spiritually and running a full wedding photography business hasn’t always been easy. There have definitely been seasons of exhaustion or feeling stretched thin. But the Lord always finds a way to take care of our hearts and remind us why we do what we do. Every challenge has really become an invitation to depend on Him more deeply—and that’s been the most refining and beautiful part of the journey.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I lead a team of wedding photographers who specialize in documenting Catholic weddings with both reverence and joy. While we began and are based out of Kansas City, we serve couples all across the Midwest and beyond—Kansas, Nebraska, Missouri, Colorado, and Southern California are our most common locations—and our goal is to help couples feel at peace and present on their wedding day while we take care of the storytelling.
Catholic weddings are uniquely beautiful and full of tradition. They’re often longer, more structured, and deeply rooted in liturgy, so having a photographer who understands that rhythm makes all the difference. My team and I have spent years learning how to honor the sacredness of the Mass while also capturing the celebration and energy that follow.
This business is Catholic. Not just in name—at our core. My team and I have knelt through countless nuptial Masses. Prayed with our couples. Sung the Ave Maria while adjusting our shutter speed.
I started this business when I was fifteen, and nearly a decade later, I’m still so grateful that it’s become something much bigger than me. What began as a creative outlet has turned into a team of photographers who care deeply about the couples we serve. We exist not just to take photos—but to witness love stories that reflect the heart of the Church.
What I’m most proud of is the way our work has stayed true to its mission. Every image we create is meant to be both timeless and intentional. We pay attention to the quiet, sacred moments—the ones that tell the real story of the day. Whether it’s a couple’s first prayer together after their vows or the way a father looks at his daughter before walking her down the aisle, those are the moments we live for.
What sets us apart is our approach. We blend professionalism with genuine connection and purpose. We’re not just a photography team—we’re people who truly care about the story being told and the hearts behind it. You’ll find us praying to St. Veronica (our patron of wedding photographers), cheering for your vocations, and absolutely throwing DOWN on the dance floor right there with you once the photos are done.
What sort of changes are you expecting over the next 5-10 years?
That’s such an exciting question because this industry really is always evolving—and I love that about it!
I think we’re going to continue to see more specialization in wedding photography teams over the next 5–10 years. For example, back in the day, there wasn’t really a distinction between Catholic and non-Catholic photography teams—most photographers shared similar faith backgrounds and many of the weddings were similar in style and sacrament. But as culture has shifted, so has the industry. Now, more couples are looking for photographers who not only understand their faith but can prayerfully enter into it with them. I think we’re just at the beginning of that movement, and it’s really special to be part of one of the early teams helping to shape what that looks like.
Stylistically, there’s definitely a nostalgic pull right now toward more documentary and film-inspired editing, which I love. But I also think we’ll see a shift back toward a more classic and timeless aesthetic in the coming years—something that feels both elegant and enduring.
It’s such a gift to be part of a field that’s constantly growing and reinventing itself. There’s always something new to learn, and that keeps the work both humbling and exciting!
Pricing:
- Our couples usually invest around $5-6K into their Catholic wedding photography experience.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.samanthakopeckyphotography.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sammykphotography
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SamanthaKopeckyPhotography
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@sammykphotography
