Today we’d like to introduce you to Samantha Wilson.
Hi Samantha, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
When I was a young girl, my mom entered me into a local modeling competition and I happened to make it to top 10 out of over a 1000 contestants. Not too much came from that experience other than a photoshoot for the local outlet mall and a gift basket, but it did make me realize I enjoyed modeling!
Fast forward to high school, I started modeling just for some friends’ photography businesses on and off. Then in my senior year, I joined a modeling team for a local photographer named Alicia Larkey, it was a fun way to meet new girls from different schools and learn a bit about posing.
After high school I didn’t think much about modeling, I focused on working a lot and pushed that passion to the side, until last year…
Back on Christmas Day of 2021, I won an Instagram giveaway which included a luxury picnic and a free mini-session with a professional photographer. I decided to use my winnings for a Valentine’s Day celebration with my boyfriend in February of 2022. Once we completed our photo session with Megan (the photographer), she asked if we had ever modeled before and then asked if we’d be interested in doing a wedding-type photoshoot with her. A couple weeks later we did the shoot and had a blast! Once those pictures were posted on Instagram and we were tagged, I got a message from another photographer asking if we’d be interested in doing another wedding shoot to promote a mobile mini bar for events… then once those pictures were posted I had another message request asking if we’d do another shoot and so on…
So, one photoshoot led to another, then it led to numerous a month. Once I started to become so busy with shoots, I was encouraged by my friends, family, and photographers I had worked with to start a separate page on Instagram just for modeling, I truly thought nothing would come of it… but here I am almost a year later, doing about five to ten photoshoots month, and have made this my third job.
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?
It definitely hasn’t all been easy, at first it seemed simple because opportunities kind of fell into my lap and it was a hobby, I didn’t take too seriously… but the more I got into it and realized I could really make an extra stream of income from freelance modeling it got challenging mentally and physically. I already work two jobs and when I was building my portfolio, I would spend pretty much any free time I had either doing a photoshoot, buying items for a shoot, in hair and makeup, traveling to shoots, etc. I guess I just didn’t realize how much time and money would be spent trying to pursue freelance modeling, I was becoming mentally drained and physically exhausted. Like anyone does, you start to compare yourself to others. I’d look at my work and then look at other models work and nit-pick every little detail of myself in my modeling pictures and continued to tell myself I’d never compare to these other models. I’ve learned over time how to gain confidence and switch my thought process around; plus, the support I’ve received from so many others always helped keep my head above water.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I love to try new things and different styles of modeling but my all time favorite is editorial/high fashion. I currently do a lot of bridal modeling due to my boyfriend also modeling with me but what excites me the most is the creative/funky/out of the box type modeling. So I’d say really my main focus is working on more creative concepts and different types of posing so that I can continue to grow in the editorial world.
I’m really proud of myself for how far I’ve come in just a short year. The experiences I’ve had and the people I’ve gotten to meet make me feel so beyond lucky to be in this industry.
Although I have to say, my biggest accomplishment has been getting the chance to work with Michael Betzner. He is an incredible photographer from North Carolina. He does a lot of creative concepts and artistic styling and I got to take part of his content retreat in Arizona this past January with twenty other amazing photographers from all over the country.
What were you like growing up?
Growing up I liked to be active, I did dance and gymnastics when I was a little girl, then I tried soccer and stuck to that for almost seven years. While I enjoyed being in sports, I also enjoyed spending time with my friends, animals, and being outdoors. I loved playing with makeup, shopping, and dressing myself up too. At one point I even got a camera and thought I wanted to try photography but realized I had more fun in front of it than behind it! I’d say I was kind of quiet depending who I was around, but if I was comfortable around you, I was very outgoing and silly. I’d say I’m still kind of like that to this day.
Pricing:
- Individual modeling per hour is $75
- Couples modeling per hour is $100
- Travel fees vary
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @sammy.wilson.modeling
