Meet Victoria Samuel | Wildlife Photographer and Growing Naturalist

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

Hi Victoria, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
I have always leaned toward the arts. Early in life it was more performative arts. Then life became about being practical. However, nature holds a special place in my heart. After some challenging life circumstances in a marriage that left me depleted of self, I bought my first camera and reclaimed my life. Just being outdoors spurred the positive energy that sent me a new path. Passion for Nature and Wildlife, with a camera in hand, gave me creative purpose.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Capturing the grace with which animals live, considering the constant challenges they face, grants me the ability to share with others. In sharing both imagery and stories, I hope to build a connection between people and Nature. Using story telling at a genuine level, captures the viewer, in hopes of introducing mindfulness. I began this journey from a place where I was lost. The great challenge was coming out of the darkness and giving myself to something greater. Learning the camera has been a new prospect, but it is really just a computer, and it is my eye that can make the imagery. However, it has been absolutely amazing to form an understanding of Nature at a level that filled me with each sunrise and sunset. Lessons come with each shot, where a person determines they can do better next opportunity. But those opportunities are decisively infrequent, teaching me to be fully present in a given moment with an animal. I want viewers to be there with me. Being true to my art, my creative work, are important to me. To this end, I lend my images to Wildlife and Nature programs which further the goal of stewardship.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Time spent with my best friends is most always spent in Nature. We would be up well before first light and back long after dark. Colorado Mountains or the equally beautiful Colorado Plains are some popular stops. High-end travel meals like peanut butter and jelly are eaten from the bumper of my rig. Well-known spots, like Rocky Mountain National Park, Walden, Kebler pass, Cottonwood pass, and Cumberland pass for scenery are amongst the best destinations. If our path leads us east, there is always the Pawnee National Grasslands for badgers and Lark Buntings, and Painted Mines with delicate rock formations. Camping ensures our connection with the natural world. Waking with the songbirds, nodding off to the owls. Our fingernails will be dirty, our hair unkempt, but our souls will be replenished.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
First, there were all the people who supported my exodus from a long toxic marriage. These friends helped me see a new way to Live. In turn, I explored Nature, and amazingly, began to heal. Shoutout to my good friend Liz and the City of Aurora Naturalist team, along with the Open Space Advisory board who were integral in teaching me about the importance of Nature. Ross, my life partner, who lifts me constantly toward the sun, so that I may grow. My daughters who encourage me to seek my genuine self. All the animals who I share time with, who helped me know they have a story too. A quote by Marianne Williamson played like a mantra in my head the past several years, “Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us.” I felt those words were meant for me. Maybe mine along with my images could do the same for wildlife.

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Image Credits
Victoria Raphaela Photography