Today we’d like to introduce you to Sam Ahmadi.
Hi Sam, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I introduce myself as a photographer and filmmaker, but more than that, I am a seeker.
Years ago my journey began in the streets, documenting everyday lives, challenges, and raw human stories. At first, my goal was direct: to capture the struggles I witnessed so that maybe, somewhere, someone would take notice and help. I believed that by showing the world how people lived in different corners of the globe, I could connect hearts and minds, and bridge gaps in awareness.
But life had other plans. As I moved through countries and cultures, my mindset shifted. I started noticing that some of the answers I was looking for were not just out there, they were within. I realized that the greatest transformation does not always come from external change, but from an inner connection to nature, to the universe, and ultimately to ourselves.
My journey became more spiritual. These days, when I capture a mountain, a passing cloud, or a quiet street corner, I am not just documenting a place. I am trying to tune into something deeper. I think we all carry something unique inside, something we do not always know how to put into words, but we feel it deeply. And maybe by sharing my own exploration, I can inspire someone to start their own.
I am not here to teach or preach. I am simply sharing what I am finding as I go. And I know many people, because of borders, money, physical limitations, or family obligations, cannot travel or see the world the way I do. So I carry that responsibility gently, to be their eyes for a moment and show them that beauty and mystery still exist, even from unexpected angles.
Whether it is a short film, a photo, or just a single moment of stillness, I hope my work makes people feel a little more connected, not just to the world, but to themselves.
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?
One of the biggest challenges I face is social media. While it has made it easier to share my work and connect with people around the world, it has also made people more impatient. The scrolling culture leaves little room for reflection. Most people are looking for quick entertainment, not something that asks them to slow down or think deeply.
As a visual storyteller, that is frustrating. My work is meant to be experienced with space, emotion, and attention to detail. But I often have to crop photos, shorten videos, and adjust music to fit vertical screens. What people see is often less than half of what I actually create.
I also try to write thoughtful captions to help people connect more deeply with each post. But believe it or not, fewer than 10% actually read them.
People worry that AI will kill art. I do not think we are there yet. What is already hurting art is how quickly we consume it.
Other challenges in life have helped me grow. They push me to be more creative.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
My work is rooted in visual storytelling and personal exploration. I want to create films and photographs that are not just seen, but felt. I try to capture quiet moments that invite people to slow down and feel something deeper.
I often focus on places and people we overlook. Some of my work is documentary. Some is more reflective, shaped by light, sound, and the feeling of being in a place. I care about the music, the wind, the silence — anything that helps bring people closer to the moment. If I could share the smell of the sea or the chill of mountain air, I would.
I do not create for trends. I create to connect. With myself. With others. With something deeper that we all carry.
What I am most proud of is that this work helps me grow. I learn from travel, from nature, and from the people I meet. I learn things that are not written in books. I learn things that cannot be explained in words. But they stay with me, and they shape who I am becoming.
Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
One of the most important lessons I have learned is patience. When I first started photography, I struggled to find the right subject. I felt like I was always chasing beauty, but it never showed up. Over time, I realized that real art is not about finding a beautiful view or subject. It is about learning how to see it.
Before we learn how to use a camera, we need to learn how to watch, how to feel, and how to connect. We need to train our senses. That is what separates a true artist from someone who just owns the equipment. Unfortunately, most schools do not teach that. They teach technique, but not how to see with the heart. That is something I try to share whenever I teach.
Now, I do not chase beauty. I let it come to me. Sometimes it shows up when I am lying in bed or driving down a quiet highway. A small shift in light, a gentle breeze, or a passing moment can be more powerful than the grandest view, if you are present enough to notice it.
Travel has been another teacher. And I do not mean vacations. I mean stepping into different cultures, hearing new languages, and witnessing how people live, work, eat, celebrate, and grieve. These moments stay with me. They cannot be found in books. They have shaped the way I see, and the way I share.
Pricing:
- My price is the smile someone gives after feeling something real in my work. That is what I work for.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/journey.junki/
