Samantha Dell is a wife and a stay-at-home mom. Her life-long love for photography inspired her to invest in her first professional camera a little over a year ago. She had a desire to get more creative and artistic with her work. She found her children were the perfect subjects to produce photographs that were free from constraints and rules, and it was then, that her art became what she desired it to be. An affection for photography has been written on the hearts of others in her family and to follow-suit she began to teach herself. She and her husband, Nick, reside in a small town in Minnesota with their five children: Caden (14), Xander, Isabella, Eden, and Fletcher.

For more inspiration from Samantha:

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Sam is also an instructor inside the Academy, check out her two courses: Finding Beauty in the Ordinary and A Beginner’s Guide to Black and White Imagery. Not a student yet? Join us for only $15.00 a month and gain access to hundreds of Courses, Lessons and Videos at no additional cost.

Here is Samantha, Unraveled…

What inspires your art?

My family is the main source of all in my inspiration. When I look at them, I want to share my perspective of the beauty I see and experience, with others. My faith also plays a huge role in how I view the world and see people as they are created and their incredible value. I want to encourage the world to slow down by capturing and highlighting fleeting moments that can be treasured forever.

What do you shoot with? Camera body and favorite lens?

I shoot with a Canon 5D Mark iii my favorite lens is Canon 35mm EF f/1.4L.

What other ways do you express your creativity?

I love to sing and decorate. I went to cosmetology school, and I love to create by doing hair and makeup as well.

How do you de-stress at the end of the day?

I enjoy having a glass of wine and sitting outside in my hammock on a summer evening, hanging out with my husband and kids, or music moves me, so on any given day I will turn up the volume to drown out the world.

What kind of music do you listen to while editing?

I have such an eclectic taste for music. I can go from 90's hip hop to indie rock to folk or worship music. One minute I might be listening to Tupac's greatest hits and the next Mumford and Sons. To list a few of my favorites I would say: Josh Garrels, Mumford and Sons, Tom Petty, Angels and Airwaves, Blink 182, NF and the list could just go on and on...

What is your favorite book?

Other than the all time best seller, The Bible, I love anything by Francine Rivers. I really love to read, and I read several books a month. It is hard to pick favorites. . . . also the Kama Sutra pretty good too ;)

Name one movie that inspires you.

Lion or Warrior

How do you handle self-doubt or creative slumps?

I try not to compare myself and my journey with other people's. I can make art for myself and as long as it moves me, then I'm headed in the right direction. If I'm in a slump, I will draw inspiration from fantasy, like a children's book or something from my childhood and try to reinvent it. I also try to stay off social media when going through a creative slump!

What has been the most difficult part of your creative journey?

The hardest part for me has been judging myself, getting inside my head, and thoughts. Comparison is a killer, so I need to not be my own worst enemy and learn to encourage myself. Learning to push past my fears of disapproval. I’ve come to terms with not everyone liking what I have to offer.