A Saturday with Sam
I was tapping my way through the aesthetically pleasing Instagram page for LollyLolly Ceramics when I noticed that they tagged a photographer whose taste resonated with me. My first visit to Samantha Meduri’s page was met with sudden gratification and intrigue; how was this photographer able to capture such simplicity with a dynamic touch? I was enamored.
Sam is the tasteful eye responsible for curating and photographing content for some of your favorite brands.
One visit to Sam’s IG page and you will likely feel more at ease. Her still life photographs are equal parts effortless and multifaceted, with gentle dimension that can instantly make your day feel less chaotic.
I got the chance to visit Sam one Saturday in April and learn more about her vision and perspective behind the camera lens. We talked about life beyond NYC, slow - Nordic living, and how travel serves as a pure source of inspiration.
Tell me about yourself and your background using your favorite song lyrics, movie or show quotes.
One of my favorite shows is Stranger Things and in one episode Jonathon says, ”You shouldn't like things because people tell you you're supposed to.” Although its’ not super deep, that quote stuck with me. I’ve come to a point in my life where I’ve really accepted who I am as a person and what I like to do with my free time. If I don’t want to do something, I won’t do it, and I find comfort in that. Life really does move quickly, and it should be spent making choices and doing things that will bring you joy.
Talk about the moment when you knew that you wanted to pursue professional photography.
I always knew I wanted to do something creative. I started taking art classes when I was really young and started painting and drawing all the time. I had a little art room in my parents basement growing up, and they let me paint the walls however I wanted, so I was always given the support and encouragement to be creative. I took a film photography class in high school and haven’t stopped shooting since. I loved that I was able to create art in this technical way, and really started envisioning myself being able to make this into a career.
How does your personal style influence your photography aesthetic?
My personal style and photography aesthetic are both simple and clean, with pops of color. I feel like my personal style is best represented in my home, which is where I love to be. I am definitely a homebody. Being a visual person, I love interior design and decorating, and that’s where my style comes through most. I love being able to use different spots in my house for photo shoots and definitely feel the connection between my personal style and photography aesthetic when I’m doing just that.
Who are some of your favorite photographers? What do you find most compelling about their work?
Some of my favorite photographers are actually people that I’ve met or worked with in the past. Aaron Muntz is a product and food photographer based in NYC. His photographs just grab my attention, and the detail in them makes his work really stand out. It was really great being able to assist him when I lived there. I also really love Brooke Shanesy’s work. Her still life work is really awesome and I love the way she uses color!
“I traveled to Negril, Jamaica in 2019 and it really inspired my life and business in a way where it taught me to slow down. It was such a relaxing place, and I loved that slow living way of life.”
What are some cities or travel destinations that inspire your vision for your life and your business?
I traveled to Negril, Jamaica in 2019 and it really inspired my life and business in a way where it taught me to slow down. It was such a relaxing place, and I loved that slow living way of life. Nobody works best when they’re burnt out, and ever since that trip I’ve reminded myself that it’s okay to take breaks to reset. Running a photography business means balancing a lot of different things whether it’s actually shooting, planning for a shoot, hopping on calls with clients or doing admin work - so I enjoy taking advantage of the flexible schedule that comes along with being a freelancer and to take down time when I feel like I need it.
What are your favorite things to photograph when you are taking photos for fun?
I love photographing cities I travel to. There’s something about walking around with a camera and no purpose that brings me back to when I first starting shooting for fun. Also, my two dogs! I have two French bulldogs, Remi and Reuben, and they never seem to mind posing for me. I am definitely an obsessive mother when it comes to these two, and photographing them makes me happy.
Take a minute to brag about your portfolio; what types of clients have you worked for already and who do you hope to work with in the future?
Over the past few years I’ve worked with a variety of clients, but I specialize in shooting still life product photography for brands. I’ve shot for some bigger brands such as Express and Victoria’s Secret, and a bunch of really awesome small brands, like Tetra and LollyLolly Ceramics, which I am already a fan of! It’s been really great being able to shoot for small brands I use and love, and would really like to do more of that in the future. I see so many awesome, new companies pop up on my Instagram all the time, and would love to work with other creative business owners that want to bring their vision to life!
You’ve photographed for large and local companies. What are some similarities and differences to working with each?
No matter the size of the company, I always go into a job with the same mindset and make sure the client is happy. Working with local or small companies definitely makes it feel more personal, and sometimes more casual. I love working with both!
You’ve lived in New York City and now Columbus. What do you find most inspirational about each of those cities?
They are definitely each inspirational in their own way. With New York City being so big and filled with so many people, the energy is pretty unique and inspiring. On the other hand, there’s something inspirational about the tight knit creative community in Columbus. I’ve worked with a lot of the same stylists and photographers at different studios in Columbus. Being from a small town, I really appreciate that collectiveness and support here.
What are some advantages and disadvantages of being a photographer in NYC vs. Ohio?
When you’re in NYC, you pretty much have instant access to everything you can possibly imagine, which comes in handy for shoots. Being in Ohio, I find that you have to plan farther ahead. When I lived there, I was still relatively new in the industry. It’s where I started assisting some really awesome photographers, who I learned so much from. I was abIe to work on set at shoots for big companies, and it really taught me a lot about this field and what goes into it. Although it was a great three years being there, I feel more of a sense of community being in Ohio, and I love that.
How would you like to see Columbus better support the creative industry?
I’d love to see the Columbus creative community as a whole come together to support each other. I already do see that, but I would really love for more to happen. I’d love to get out there and meet new people in my field this year. So many creatives go through the same things and it always helps to have people who understand to talk with.
When you’re editing photos, what musical artists or genres are always on your playlist?
I love playing jazz or instrumental music when I’m editing. With the lights off, a candle or incense burning, and music in the background playing it really allows me to get into a zone. Khruangbin radio is one of my go to stations, and I also love listening to Pink Floyd while I edit. There’s something about the darkness and music that just sucks me in and makes me productive.
Do you have any aspirations to have your own photo studio in the future?
Absolutely! I would love to have my own studio one day. It would definitely allow me to take on more jobs and it would make it easier to have clients on set.
What advice would you give someone wanting to become a full-time photographer?
Shoot often on your own to experiment and assist other photographers. I’ve found that everyone just figures it out as they go, even if they seem like they have it all together, so don’t be intimidated to put yourself out there.
“In this busy world, there’s something calming I find about moments frozen in time.”
Do you have a dream camera? If so, tell me about its features and what kind of value it would add to your work.
There’s always going to be a new camera out there that I’d like to try, but I have been focusing more on creating with what I have and keeping it simple. I think a studio space and some new lighting equipment would be more beneficial to growing my business at the moment!
We are seeing a lot more media platforms using video content these days. Talk about the sentimental value a photograph carries that a video does not.
With a photograph, you are really able to stare at it and take it in. It grabs your attention. In this busy world, there’s something calming I find about moments frozen in time.
What’s next for you in 2021?
I hope to continue creating this year. I’d like to work with more people in the creative industry in Ohio and beyond to expand my portfolio of work. I have some fun shoots planned out in my head that I’d like to bring to life this year!
