Today we’d like to introduce you to Veronica Sams.
Veronica, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I began photography at age 15 when I was gifted with a camera for Christmas. Growing up, I have always been drawn to fashion and art, so I immediately fell in love with portrait and fashion photography. I took a photo class in high school and found myself spending hours a day in the photo lab. When everyone else was at lunch hanging with their friends, I was in the photo lab teaching myself the ins and outs of Adobe Photoshop.
I used my free periods to shoot my friends in our school’s little photo studio. I fell in love with photography because it helped me connect with people. Growing up I was always the shy type, and maybe had 5-6 close friends in high school. I never hung in popular circles. Photography helped me make friends with new people and establish solid one-on-one relationships. It also helped me come out of my shell and give me the confidence to be my own person.
The more I practiced, the better I got at my craft, and soon I began to get a lot of attention at my school from my work. I won a few competitions and art shows here and there, but the real prize was self-growth. I came into high school quiet, reserved, and with low self esteem, but left as confident, secure, and open-minded person.
Often times people ask me how I got into shooting swimwear (even though I also shoot other kinds of photography). During my second year of college (when I was 19), a big swimwear brand reached out to me via instagram DM and asked if I would come in to do a test shoot since they were looking for a local photographer. I went in and ended up getting hired; for the next year I shot brand ambassadors once or twice a week for their instagram .
Soon my page began to fill with swimwear images. This is when my inbox started to fill up like crazy. Everyday dozens of models would reach out to me wanting to do a test, and they still do!
[Photography made me realize just how much I love art, so I decided to declare it as my third major at Pepperdine. I came in as an advertising major, added Media Production as a second major, then added art as a third my junior year. I will be going into my fifth and final year at Pepperdine this Fall, (hopefully) graduating Spring of 2020.]
Has it been a smooth road?
Photography is such a core aspect to who I am. My life journey has heavily been influenced by my camera. Whenever I’d hit a bump in the road in life, I sought refuge in my camera, and it gave me the strength to keep pushing on.
Sometimes I fear, and think to myself “what If I don’t make it? What if I can’t make this my career?” Everyone has thoughts like this, its human nature. But if theres one thing I’ve learned in my 22 short years of life, is that you CANNOT think like that. We only have 100 years to live, and that’s such a short amount of time! If you really want something, go and do it. The answer will always be no if you don’t try. Learning to develop a go-getter attitude has changed my life. If you believe you can do something, so will everybody else. It can be easy to get intimidated, but you have to remember we are ALL people, all made of flesh and bones. Not one person is greater or better than another. So if you have a dream, go and get it!!!! Persistence and perseverance will get you anywhere you want to go, but whats most important is to remain humble, and always be grateful for the opportunities you are given.
We’d love to hear more about your work and what you are currently focused on. What else should we know?
I am a 22 year old female photographer based in Malibu, CA, but also shoot in DTLA occasionally. Right now, I am freelance since I am still in college, but hope to be signed to an agency one day. I specialize in mostly swim, beauty, and editorial photography. Now that its summer time, I will mostly be shooting swim.
For the most part, I primarily shoot with females. Its hard to describe, but when females come together to make art, its pure magic. All of our skills and talents blossom when working together in ways I have never seen before, and it really shows in the images! With women, both myself and the model feel more free and less afraid to be daring and wacky and goofy and wild while creating! Capturing genuiness is what I strive for.
The most important part of why I do what I do is to empower women. With Instagram oversaturated by thousands of photoshopped images, it is important to me to promote body positivity and showcase realness. I work with women all shapes, sizes, ethnicities, backgrounds- you name it. I want to be a safe haven for women and make them feel not only beautiful, but confident and unstoppable. Connecting with other women has also helped me grow as a person and appreciate other peoples perspectives. I have worked with women from all walks of life, and in turn their stories have made me a more worldly person. All in all, I want to encourage women to step out of their comfort zones and live their lives as their truest selves! One of my life goals is to be a photographer for Sports Illustrated Swim. I admire their brand message of inclusivity, empowerment, and an overall zest for life.
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
When I think of success, I think of “what can I do for others?” and “How can I help other people?” If we all focused on trying to be successful on our own, well never reach our goals.
Along with helping others, happiness is truly the greatest success in life. Surround yourself with positive people, and always see the glass as half full. Life can be rough, but if theres a problem, focus your energy into the solution.
I want to inspire the world to TRY. It only takes a little bit of encouragement for someone to change the world. And that is invaluable.
Contact Info:
- Website: veronicasams.com
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: @veronicasams
Image Credit:
Copyright to Veronica Sams
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