Today we’d like to introduce you to Samantha Burton.
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?
I moved out to Los Angeles when I was 18, right from high school. It was a huge leap for me as I was coming all the way from New York and knew absolutely no one in California. It was pretty tough at first, but my life would be so unbelievably different if I didn’t make the jump. I had always been interested in fashion and anything creative so I attended FIDM and got my Bachelor’s there. When I graduated I had a variety of creative jobs in the fashion industry, from being a stylist to creating window displays for big-name retailers. Ultimately, I ended up wanting to do more than just one job and started taking side jobs in anything creative that came my way. I worked as a fashion trend forecaster for eight years while also teaching myself graphic design and photography on the side. I have recently quit my full-time career to become a freelance creative – that way, I could accept all different types of jobs that keep my creative mind stimulated! (I’m a Leo – so I am always looking for something new to learn and create). Now I am wearing many different hats, including: fashion/product photography, graphic design and digital collage art, content creation, UGC marketing art direction, and fashion trend direction. I love it all!
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I can’t say that it has always been a ‘smooth’ road, but I could say that I have been extremely fortunate. My mom works in the fashion industry in New York and she has always been a huge inspiration of mine. She quit her job working for the airlines to take a leap and move into a completely new industry and she has grown a tremendous amount in her career. In life, there are always ups and downs but one thing that has stayed consistent in my life is my love for creativity and working in the creative field. Some jobs were worse than others, but I always found a way to supplement unfulfilling jobs with creative outlets that brought me joy.
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?
It’s hard to say exactly what I do – I like to say I am a professional creative. My main focus shifts depending on how I am feeling but my current focus consists of: Product and fashion photography, graphic collages, fashion trend reporting, and digital marketing/content creation. I would say I am known for my aesthetic – I have a keen eye for detail and color, and I love creating beautiful and inspiring compositions, whether that be through photography, videography or digital design. I love fashion photography, and I have recently been working for new brands that need help with content creation and product photography for their social media. I have set up a small studio in my garage that I shoot in, and I am always learning new techniques online. There are so many amazing creatives on social media that I am constantly drawing inspiration from. I am also known for my graphic collages. During the pandemic I started creating graphic collages on pop culture for fun, soon enough brands were reaching out to me to create graphics for their social media, merchandise, and email blasts. It is such a fun way to express my creativity, and I was extremely proud when I started making money off something that brought me so much joy. What I am most proud of is that I was able to quit my 9-5 job to not only work as a freelancer but to succeed as one as well. Being my own boss, creating my own hours, being able to work in multiple fields has made me so happy, and I finally have the freedom I have always strived for.
Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs or other resources you think our readers should check out?
Finding inspiration is best when you step outside and dive into new experiences. I love traveling, exploring unfamiliar places, spending time outdoors, and soaking in the scenery. Fresh experiences spark new ideas and are the perfect way to unleash creativity. I am going on a six-month trip next year, across the country and then to Asia and Europe and I cannot wait to discover all that the world has to offer. Whether it’s a store with fantastic branding or taking a hike with stunning mountain views, everything can inspire if you take a moment to appreciate it.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.samanthapollicinostyle.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/samanthaaburton/
Image Credits
Samantha Burton
