Today’s conversation is with Sam, a mom, wife, landscape designer, homeschooler, food lover, frog charmer and macro shooter extraordinaire.
How did you get into photography?
My parents handed me my first point-and-shoot back in my early school days. In high school I made a big investment and bought myself an SLR camera and proceeded to hassle everyone with it. When my son came along it was a perfect reason to upgrade and renew my obsession. A few years ago, I found the wonderful world of flickr, and after being re-inspired and amazed by all that photography is and has to offer these days, it has become a large part of my life.
How would you describe your style?
My love is macro. I find that I’m not happy unless I’m within a couple inches of my subject.
What message do you want to convey in your photographs?
I wouldn’t say that I’m trying to convey a message necessarily. Is it selfish to say that I do it for me? It’s therapy. It makes me smile. It opens my eyes to the little details and sweet things in life that I often overlook. It helps me to be thankful. Daily.
Who inspires you and why?
I am constantly inspired by friends on flickr, facebook, and the blogs of women who capture daily life in the sweetest ways. It is a gift. To be able to take a daily routine and happenings and turn them into magic. The ‘good’, the ‘bad’ and the ‘ugly’. Makes me wish I had been a lot more active with my camera when my yahoo was little.
What is your favourite thing to photograph?
There are so many things I love to photograph. From food and kitchen adventures, to flowers in the garden, to all the creatures that my husband and son gift me with, to our dog. And let’s not forget the leaves. I love the leaves.
Which is your favourite recent photo and what is the story behind it?
I do love this shot of our dog. She is often my model, but the photo sessions are often far from calm. I love this one because it’s a great view of what shooting photos of her is normally like, or at least what it eventually becomes in the end. She gets a little excited. In this shot I wanted her to look at the mirror. After I said ‘LOOK’ a couple dozen times, she just lost it.
You’re doing a 366; what keeps you going?
Daily inspiration from the other women that I know who are in the midst of a 366. A desire to have some sort of record of daily life around here. I plan to put the year together in a book. It’s a sort of journal for me.
What projects are you planning?
I find that my brain wants to juggle 15 projects at once, and that my body has other ideas these days. I’m trying my hardest to just take each day as it comes and be happy with what is done during that one day, and so I’m not necessarily planning anything in particular other than to keep on taking pictures of it all.
What would your superpower be?
Teleporting. Teleporting my son to swim practice and back. The two of us to meets. My laundry from the basement to its respective destinations, groceries from the grocery store, friends for tea, myself to far away places. Yes. Definitely teleporting.
If you want to see more of Sam’s work, you can find her on flickr.
Very glad to “meet” you, Sam – thank you for sharing your images and words with us. I *love* what you’re saying about not planning anything beyond taking photos of it all – that’s exactly the way I think about it myself.
Hello dear Sam! I love how your humour permeates this whole interview. I’m glad you choose the photo of Miss Charles, it’s one of my all time favourites.
This is such a great interview. I love the images … your selfie is so cute, Sam xo
This is the most wonderful interview! And your images . . . well, I just can’t get enough. As I go through my day, hoping to capture just a little extra something in the routine, I love knowing that you’re out there doing it too. You’re a great inspiration, dear Sam!
i love learning more about Sam, who is one of my biggest flickr inspirations as she well knows~
SUCH a wonderful article about our fabulous Sam.
She does inspire me every day.
Loved reading this little look into her life.!
I echo Jenny in that it’s so lovely to “meet” Sam via this interview. One of the things I love about being part of MM is getting to know the work (and the people behind the work) of folks who inspire my fellow Muses. Thanks so much Sam for sharing with us.
Loved reading more about you miss Sam. You are an inspiration!! xx
Such a wonderful interview. So very Sam! I love her work and she is an inspiration to me!
Loved this interview with Sam.
I too have a tendency to juggle many projects. I am inspired everyday.
Thanks for a great conversation. LOVE that coffee mug shot.
Oh my goodness Sam such a great post! I feel so drawn to your post as I am a landscape designer and photographer as well!
Love this! Love Sam!
Thank you so much everyone!!
It is not at all selfish to say that yo do it for you, Sam.
I think it is the most perfect reason of all.
Just as long as you keep sharing what you do with the rest of us – keeping your close-up whispers of photos to yourself – now hat would be selfish!
i agree with Debbie, it is not selfish!!!! your shots are absolutely divine!!!!