We’re looking forward to introducing you to Samantha Jacob. Check out our conversation below.
Hi Samantha, thank you so much for joining us today. We’re thrilled to learn more about your journey, values and what you are currently working on. Let’s start with an ice breaker: What is a normal day like for you right now?
I recently moved to Miami about 3 months ago, so my ‘normal’ day has shifted a ton. It is every growing and changing, but for now it looks a little something like this:
I wake and try to mental prep for the day by journaling (369 manifestation), meditating, and then I get ready. Days I put on a cute outfit and do my hair and makeup, my productivity skyrockets. Look good, feel good energy. Once ready, I grab a coffee and whip out the laptop. Every morning I do my Admin for my photography business, which inquires checking and answering emails, going through all my lead systems, checking how my ads are running and posting on socials. Admin typically takes up most of the morning. In the afternoon, I continue doing outreach or edit photos, or have client intake or timeline calls, taking break between to stay in flow (and of course over consuming coffee). My late afternoon I hit the gym, I tend to usually go to the gym in the later afternoon to use up the energy I have left from the day, and if I am lucky I will hit the pool for a couple hours of sunshine. Got to love the Miami summer sunshine. Every day differs on work locations and whether or not I have a photoshoot, but for the most part I try to keep it light and enjoyable. I am grateful to work for myself and have a schedule that I can dictate and create, so I try to keep it structured, yet include enjoyable and relaxing activities throughout the day to prevent burnout.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Absolutely! I’m Samantha Jacob — the photographer and creative director behind Samantha Jacob Photography. I was born in raised in a small rural town, LeRoy, Kansas. As a young kiddo, living in the middle of nowhere, I entertained myself by mimicking photoshoots I would see in magazine with my friends. After high school, I moved to Emporia, Kansas (another tiny town) to attend college and cheer at ESU. After graduating college with a Psychology and Spanish degree I moved to Kansas City. After 4 amazing years there, I decided it was time for something new and exciting and headed out west to Las Vegas. My career took off while being there, I met amazing people, and expanded my portfolio immensely. After 4 years in Vegas, I relocated once again to San Diego, to live out my Cali-girl, beach-girl dreams. San Diego is absolutely magical and while there, I yet again, continued growing my portfolio and capturing tons of beautiful weddings. After 2 years of the west coast, I jumped over to Miami. Miami has a very lively energy and culture. Between the east coast and gulf coast of Florida, I stay very busy with shoots. Now that my portfolio has grown into a selection of luxury and aesthetic imagery, I am beginning to get international wedding bookings, alongside bookings all over the U.S.
I specialize in wedding, portrait, and editorial photography with a timeless, documentary-inspired approach and a strong eye for aesthetic and design. My work blends raw emotion with intentional composition, resulting in imagery that feels elevated, yet deeply personal. I play with 35mm film, polaroids, camcorders and more that add nostalgia to my weddings and sessions.
While I’ve built my brand around capturing love stories, my background and interest in fashion, art, and visual storytelling have naturally led me into editorial and portrait work as well. I’m really drawn to the intersection of style and substance — where emotion meets elegance, and where real moments feel cinematic.
What sets my work apart is the way I bring direction and creative vision without overcomplicating the experience. Whether I’m shooting a wedding or an editorial campaign, I focus on creating an environment that feels calm, collaborative, and creatively charged. The more fun we have, the better the photos always tend to be. I want every shoot to feel like we’re creating something meaningful — not just beautiful images, but something that feels like you.
Right now, I’m expanding my destination work and leaning more into editorial projects that reflect my love for fashion and design. I’m also passionate about building a brand that empowers creatives to lead with vision, authenticity, and alignment. Accepting gigs across the pond in Europe, hoping to keep expanding into fashion editorials, and luxury destination weddings all over the world.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. What was your earliest memory of feeling powerful?
When I made the decision to go full-time with my photography career, it definitely felt extremely powerful. Entering into a new chapter, new era, new me. I didn’t honestly have much a plan when it happened. I was getting consistent photographic work while still having another job. An amazing photography opportunity came up and when I asked off of work from my other job, they would not grant me the time off. In that moment I had to make a decision on what was more important to me. Then and there, I quit my job and took the photography opportunity. I was officially committing to my photography career and dream full-time. And as terrifying as it was to not have it all planned out, it was also liberating. I took a chance on myself and my talents and it payed off.
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
Say how you feel, trust your intuition, be kind to people, but not a people-pleaser. Create boundaries early on in relationships and friendships, it only makes people respect you more; saying no and protecting your peace and time, stop caring how you’re perceived, and always check in on your friends and family.
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? How do you differentiate between fads and real foundational shifts?
For me, the difference between a fad and a real shift comes down to how it feels over time. Fads usually show up loud and fast — everyone’s talking about them, trying them, chasing them — but they tend to lose their spark pretty quickly. A real shift, though, feels more grounded. It doesn’t just trend — it sticks. It changes how you think, how you move, and how you relate to yourself and others.
I’ve learned to recognize foundational shifts by paying attention to what keeps calling me back even after the excitement wears off. If something still feels aligned, meaningful, or helpful after the hype dies down, that’s when I know it’s part of something real.
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: When do you feel most at peace?
I feel most at peace when I’m fully present — when I’m not rushing, overthinking, or trying to be anything other than myself. Sometimes that looks like being out at the beach with a book with no agenda, sometimes it’s when I’m deep in a creative flow, editing photos or shooting something that feels aligned. It’s those moments where I’m not performing or proving — I’m just being.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.samanthajacobphotography.com
- Instagram: @samanthajacobphotography & @samerinjacob
- Twitter: @samerinjacob
- Facebook: Samantha Jacob Photography
- Soundcloud: @samerinjacob
