Today we’d like to introduce you to Samir Ammari.
Hi Samir, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
I was born in Barbados to a local mother and a father from Syria. My father’s dream was to get us to America; coming from 1980s Syria was especially difficult for him, and he wanted us to live “in the land of opportunity,” as he always said. After much hard work and sacrifice, he got us to the States when I was 11. I have always been the kind of kid more into art and music than sports (except skateboarding). In high school, I was the lead baritone in our choir group while my friends joined the football team. Though I had my heart set on music as my career from a very young age, that dream never came to fruition. One day in 2018, I was offered the adventure of a lifetime. Someone close to me at the time asked if I would join them for a 2-week backpack trip through Asia, and of course, I said yes. Before this, I always believed traveling the world was a luxury for the “privileged.” But that year, I was shown it was possible. I was reminded that we could do and accomplish anything we desire if we are open to the possibility. Little did I know how impactful that trip would be? I was suddenly obsessed with traveling. I felt “whole” being out in the world. I felt at home. And so I began my yearly global adventures.
My travel partner was also, at the time, a photographer hobbyist. That is when I held my first DSLR camera and became excited about photographing other cultures, places, and people. But still, social media showed me that countless people are doing this much better than I ever could. And with all the stresses of everyday life and adulting, how could I make this dream of being a travel photographer a reality? That was the story I told myself. Half a decade later, while working in my corporate office, our team lead wrote a question on the whiteboard before one of our weekly meetings “If you could have any dream job, what would it be?” I got up and wrote on the board, “photojournalist for National Geographic.” Dismissing it as just a theoretical, I sat in my seat the entire meeting thinking of my response. And suddenly, it hit me. “Why can’t I do it? Why does it have to remain a dream? Who is stopping me?”
At that moment, I decided to pull the trigger and dive face first. I went home and did every shred of research on how to get started, and I checked that list off individually. I took online photography classes, bought a domain for my portfolio, created social media accounts, invested in a new camera and lenses, went out to photoshoot my city as if on assignment every weekend, and contacted photo agencies, travel and local magazines, and tourism boards. Three months later, I have opportunities with Northwest Arkansas Tourism Association, Image Professionals, and my first interview with Voyage Austin, which I am so stoked about. My goal is to get my foot in the travel photography industry and be sent on assignment as a photojournalist one day.
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I’m always reminded that life can be as smooth or bumpy as we perceive it. The only real obstacle can be yourself. Hearing back from 1 out of every 7 publishers feels like an obstacle, but it keeps me going and reaching out. That is one challenge to be expected in this field; shouting on the rooftops how eager you are to pursue your passion and hearing crickets respond, which adds to the excitement of continuing to make moves.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might need to become more familiar, what can you tell them about what you do?
I am a freelance travel photographer and aspiring photojournalist. As a travel photographer, I specialize in multiple forms of photography, such as landscape, city/street, and portrait photography. I am most proud of my recent work in Barbados, where I had the opportunity to capture the local scenes and all the breathtaking natural beauty the small island has to offer. I don’t know what sets me apart from others because that would assume I have something more special than the next person. When pursuing your passion, it’s important to remain single-minded and focused on what you can accomplish in the way you feel in your gut. I am so confident in my abilities to learn and master my craft that whatever makes me stand out will show itself. Each of us is unique in our craft, and this uniqueness can only show if we stay true to our goals and follow our intuition.
Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs, or other resources you think our readers should check?
I use the reminder app on my phone. I have reminders set to go off at different times of the day that say things like:
- “take a deep breath.”
- “drink water”
- “think of things to be grateful for.”
- “you are a warrior act like it!”
My nightly ritual consists of listening to the Andrew Huberman podcast, an amazing source of information to better our lives through understanding neuroscience. Or any lectures by Alan Watts or Dr. Gabor Mate. Something about their voices feels so calming, and the knowledge and wisdom of these gentlemen are so insightful.
Contact Info:
- Website: samirammari.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/samir.j.ammari/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/iamSamirAmmari
