Check Out Samantha Knott’s Story

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

Hi Samantha, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Hi! I’m Sam! Born and raised in Colorado Springs and now based in Los Angeles.

I’ve been drawn to filmmaking and visual storytelling for as long as I can remember. I really started making films in fourth grade with a group of friends, when we created a knockoff version of America’s Got Talent called ‘Who’s Got Talent.’ We filmed episodes, edited them ourselves, and even burned them onto CDs, complete with different seasons. Looking back, that experience planted seeds early. I loved the entire process of creating something from scratch and bringing an idea to life through video.

I’ve always had a strong artistic eye, and as I grew older, that creativity evolved. In middle school, I began making short, aesthetically driven videos using slow-motion clips of nature, light, and moments I found visually pleasing. I would edit these into short reels and post them on Musical.ly, now known as TikTok, where many of them gained significant traction. That momentum pushed me to take the next step, and in eighth grade, I worked hard to buy my first camera. I brought it on trips, outings, and everyday adventures, documenting life and experimenting with both video and photography.

Over time, my focus shifted more heavily toward photography. When COVID hit, I fell in love with portrait photography, especially during outdoor shoots. My sister, who was into fashion and modeling, became my primary subject, and we spent countless days shooting on hikes and in nature. During this period, I became known as “the photographer girl,” bringing my camera to school events, sports games, and dances. In 2021, I officially launched my own photography business, turning what had started as a passion into a professional pursuit.

That same year, I joined a volunteer film and live production team at my church, New Life Church, where I worked in live video production. This experience reignited my love for filmmaking and helped solidify my desire to pursue film professionally. While continuing to run my photography business, I decided to study film in college. I attended Grand Canyon University in Phoenix, Arizona, where I earned my Bachelor of Arts in Digital Film, graduating in April 2025. Shortly after, I moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career in film.

Today, I’m based primarily in Los Angeles, working in the film industry as an assistant camera (both as a 2nd AC and 1st AC) while continuing photography as a side business. I offer photography and video services in Colorado Springs, Phoenix, and Los Angeles. My long-term goal is to become a cinematographer, and right now I’m focused on learning, building experience on set, and growing within the camera department while continuing to tell stories through both film and photography.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
I wouldn’t say my road has been perfectly smooth, but a lot of my challenges came early on in life. I experienced a lot of loss and grief at a young age (a lot of death and suicides within my family and community), and that shaped the way I see the world. It made me very aware of how fragile moments are and how quickly things can change. Photography and film became a way for me to hold onto those moments, to appreciate the people and sweet moments in my life, and to process emotions I didn’t yet have words for. What started as something deeply personal eventually grew into a passion I couldn’t imagine my life without. Through the lens, I found a therapeutic outlet, allowing me to preserve fleeting moments and honor the people in my life.

As I grew, I embarked on my professional journey early, launching my own photography business as a teenager and pursuing college at an accelerated pace. I found myself taking on more responsibility at a very young age. In college, one of the biggest challenges I faced was during my senior year when I decided to commit to a feature film as a 2nd AC. It meant missing an entire month of school and working over 300 hours in less than four weeks while still keeping up with my classes and maintaining an exceptional GPA. It was exhausting and overwhelming at times, but it taught me how to push through long days, manage pressure, and fully commit when something matters to me. That experience really solidified that filmmaking wasn’t just an interest; it was what I wanted to pursue long-term.

Shortly after graduating with my bachelor’s degree in film at the ripe age of 20, I moved to Los Angeles on my own to step fully into the film industry. While I’ve been grateful to start working as an assistant camera early on, moving to a new city and entering a slow season has been its own challenge. There are moments of uncertainty. Not knowing when the next job will come, building community from scratch, and learning how to trust the process. But I see this stage as part of the journey. Every challenge I’ve faced, whether early in life or right now, has shaped my perspective and strengthened my passion for storytelling, and I know it’s all contributing to the filmmaker I’m becoming. I embrace the obstacles and struggles with gratitude and resilience.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’m a freelance photographer and videographer with a passion for capturing authentic moments. On the photography side, I specialize in portraits, couples, families, maternity shoots, engagements, grads, weddings, events, concerts, and behind-the-scenes work. Back in Colorado Springs, I became known as “the photographer girl,” admired for my ability to capture genuine, unexpected moments and deliver them with creativity and quick turnaround. People often tell me that even when a shoot feels challenging, the final photos exceed their expectations, and that’s something I’m really proud of.

In the film world, I focus on the camera department, mainly working as a second assistant camera and occasionally stepping up as a first assistant camera. I would love to be a cinematographer / director of photography down the road. I also do my own videography, like music videos and Spotify canvases. Now in Los Angeles, I’m expanding into larger productions, working on bigger sets while still maintaining my own personal projects.

What I’m most proud of is the versatility and depth I bring to my work, along with the strong portfolio I’ve built at such a young age. My work ethic, my artistic eye, and my perspective as a young female in a traditionally male-dominated industry all set me apart. I see the world a bit differently, noticing details and moments that others might miss, and that’s what makes my work unique.

We love surprises, fun facts and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
Something that might surprise people is that I was a dedicated volleyball player for nearly nine years. I played school and club volleyball, and at one point, I truly thought I’d pursue it long-term. Stepping away from volleyball to focus on film was a big decision, but the lessons I learned as an athlete have deeply influenced my approach to filmmaking. Being a team player, understanding the value of collaboration, and being coachable are traits that carry over seamlessly into the film industry. It’s helped me appreciate every role on a set and understand how important each person is to the overall success of a project. That athlete mindset, that drive and teamwork, really sets me apart in the film world.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://samanthaknott.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/samanthaknottcreative?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@samanthaknottcreative