Meet Sam Dawson | Artist of Photography

We had the good fortune of connecting with Sam Dawson and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Sam, what makes you happy? Why?

Simplicity. The raw beauty of a woman with wrinkles at her smiling eyes. The rough texture of a cedar tree. The sun and it’s golden beams, shining through a quiet forest clearing. The unpredictable rain from a storm shower. The passion in a lovers eyes. The gift of life and the quietness of death. The art of this world makes me happy and the souls that I meet.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.

Id like to think that my art has a sense of “rawness” or honesty to it. Real emotion.
I was asked this past year to shoot for a gala fundraiser, filled with doctors and high esteemed people in the community. I felt a bit out of my element, since my stronghold is more portrait related, however the challenge really helped me to grow!
I started off doing photography in college, but was inspired to pick it up again years later when I kept getting complimented on my ” good eye” for imagery. It took a lot of hushing the doubtful voices inside my mind that told me I wasn’t good enough. And of course, making mistakes always encourages me to grow and work harder to be better.
I’ve learned that we all have a unique way of viewing the world, and I love when people take the time to see what I see. My favorite clients are those who come to me and say ” I don’t know what Im doing, or I always look funny in photos”, because I get to capture them in a way that reflects their beautiful soul and gives them joy. Gypseadawson is my brand, and it is inspired by the free spirit of a gypsy, with the raw untamed heart of the “sea”, and a piece of my identity as a “Dawson”.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.

Well I am so blessed, because my best friend actually just moved here from Florida! So when she came up, I was super excited to show her how much our childhood home had expanded and grown! Amity coffee shop in Greenwood is always the best place to start any journey! You can never go wrong with an iced maple latte with oat milk, and a gluten free cookie! Downtown Milford is started to grow, and so there are some of the cutest new restaurants, such as The Cured Plate, and Arenas. The death fries at Arenas are heavenly!
Personally, I find musicians to be the most intriguing human beings. Anywhere theres a local show playing, or a really good 90s cover band rocking out-I am there! Also, I am a huge tattoo fan, and am fascinated with how talented some of these local artists are in Delaware! My friend Katie Wallace is an up and coming tattoo artist at Skin deep in Dover, and blows me away with her portrait skills!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?

I am deeply in awe of the support my close friends and family have given me towards growing into the artist that I am. My close friend, who’s name is also Sam, is an amazing photographer and the best mentor. She has always spoken positivity into my life and my business. Something that has always stuck with me, was when she told me “Let go of the fear of what people might think of your art and just create, someone will understand it and love it.” That really allowed a certain kind of confidence to help my business grow.

Website: https://gypseadawson.mypixieset.com/

Instagram: @gypseadawson

Facebook: Sam Dawson

Other: msha.ke/gypseadawson