Today we’d like to introduce you to Michael Samaripa.
Hi Michael, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I’ve been photographer for a long time — both personally and professionally. As a professional, I’ve been photographing for over 15 years.
I’ve always loved the magic of making a photograph; I learned my fundamentals on film, developing my own negatives and printing my photographs in the darkroom, way before digital brought photography where it is today. There was something visceral and “real” about the entire process that I embraced, and still to this day, I enjoy that process.
It’s not a “job” in the traditional sense for me. I really enjoy what I do, and it’s a fun challenge to serve my commercial clients to achieve their marketing visions for their campaigns.
In short, I can’t imagine doing anything else.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
No, not always! Having learned on film and being dragged kicking and screaming into the digital era was a huge first struggle for me. It was difficult to let go of the format I was so enamored with, but I did see the benefits that digital brought to photographers, especially today with how we are a society so heavily entrenched with social media and the like.
My other challenge is that I’m deaf. Not from working as a photographer standpoint, but to show others who doubted that a person with a disability can achieve quality professional work just as well as their abled counterparts. Once I got past that initial hurdle, it was pretty smooth sailing after that.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I currently work at Korey Howell Photo Group as an associate photographer, and it has been nothing but a fantastic experience. Korey is a fantastic boss, and she’s helped me not only grow as a photographer but also as a business person. Olympia Roll, Amy Alvarez, and Angelo Pegran — my colleagues at KHPG — are superb professionals and they’re a credit to our profession – I’m fortunate to work with a group of incredibly smart and talented people.
I specialize in mostly portraiture and headshot photography — I love photographing people, interacting with them and creating an image that they’re proud to use for their needs, whether it’s an advertising campaign or a branding overhaul or product photograph for their website.
To me, a portrait (or headshot) isn’t just what you look like. It should say something about you; “Am I approachable? What kind of professional am I? Do I look like someone you could trust and work with?” It’s even more important with today’s digital age, and with our interactions becoming more and more virtual — that photo will be the first thing a potential client or business partner would see and make a judgment on how they feel about you.
It’s important to show the real you. That’s what I do best.
Do you have any memories from childhood that you can share with us?
Playing basketball with my friends on the gravel pavement outside of my parent’s house. Oh, and swimming at the OG Bartholomew pool.
Contact Info:
- Email: samaripamj@gmail.com
- Website: https://michaelsamaripaphotography.shootproof.com/gallery/folio/
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/michaeljamesatx
Image Credits
Models: Aubre Salas, Dillion Lalor, Nyle DiMarco, Rebecca Giuntoli
