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

Hi Samantha, what’s your definition for success?
When I first started my business, and even throughout the first several years, I believed that the definition of success fit into a very small box.
At the time, I thought it looked like what everyone else in the industry seemed to be doing, or what the industry leaders I looked up to were doing. I tried to emulate that- thinking if I could just work harder, book more clients, make more money, have a studio, sell presets, mentor full time, make six figures, book weddings every weekend (insert whatever the “popular” creators of that time were doing)- that somehow THAT’S what would make me successful and i’d finally feel good about myself and my business. In reality, all it did was make me feel completely defeated, burnt out, and like I could never truly measure up or be good enough.

That’s when I started to realize that there is no one definition of success.

What a successful business looks like for one person, may look completely different to another, but that doesn’t make either one right or wrong or more or less successful.

I basically had to ignore what everyone else was doing, stop comparing my life and business to others, and start making it work for ME, and what I truly wanted out of life. I figured out what my priorities were- being able to have the flexibility to stay home with my son as a single mom, and make enough of an income that I didn’t need to work a secondary full time job. I wanted to keep the freedom of not having to work 40+ hours a week, be able to travel a bit, work for myself and set my own hours, and not be a slave to running my business. I figured out how to adjust and simplify where I needed to, and now, while to some people my business might not look wildly successful, to me, it’s the most success i’ve ever had in my life because it’s allowing me to have the peace and slower paced lifestyle that works best for me and my mental health.

So long story short, success is whatever the heck you decide it is for YOU. As long as you’re working towards the life you want and whatever brings you joy- that’s real success.

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.
I’ve always been a very deep feeler, and for a lot of years I suppressed that part of myself- thinking it made me look weak or silly. And I never wanted to be perceived that way. But as I got older and went through some really difficult seasons in my life, I realized my depth and emotions weren’t a curse, they’re actually a huge asset. They allow me to connect deeply with other people, to empathize in a genuine way, to see past surface level stuff and get to the gritty, raw, messy beauty beneath. And I always hope that comes through in the way I create and how I photograph my clients- I always want them to see themselves in a new way, a way that reveals the beauty beneath the surface. I love to capture emotion, movement, and genuine connection in a romantic, earthy, somewhat gritty way. I’ve been told my work has a cinematic vibe to it, and that’s always one of my favorite compliments to hear, because films make people FEEL something, and I always want my work to make people feel something too.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
First and foremost – coffee is a must. I’d stop by my favorite local coffee shop, Amity coffee roasters, in Greenwood DE. Then i’d spend the afternoon thrifting/antiquing. I love old things, especially anything from the 70’s, and 90% of my wardrobe is thrifted/vintage fashion. I’m always on the hunt for thrifted treasures. But if i’m not in a thrift store you can usually find me outside somewhere- at the beach, hiking, or in a hammock. Time in nature is my love language. End the day with a good homemade meal, and great conversation around a fire pit in the backyard, under the stars.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
SO many people I could shout out for encouraging me forward to where I am today- from mentors I had as a newbie business owner over ten years ago, (especially my dear friend Jenn White, who sat down with me at her kitchen table and let me ask her anything, helped me put together my very first pricing list, and never made me feel like I was asking dumb questions, even though I’m sure I definitely was lol), to so many fellow entrepreneur friends i’ve made over the years. I’m so lucky to have a really close-knit community here in southern Delaware, especially when it comes to women business owners who constantly support and uplift each other. I’ve always had fellow business owner friends I could go to for business advice, ideas, or support whenever I needed it, and I love doing the same for them. I’ll always be so grateful to be in an area where the majority of small businesses really do value the idea of community over competition.

Website: www.samanthajanephoto.com

Instagram: @samanthajanephoto

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