We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Samantha Rishe a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Samantha, so happy to have you on the platform and I think our readers are in for a treat because you’ve got such an interesting story and so much insight and wisdom. So, let’s start with a topic that is relevant to everyone, regardless of industry etc. What do you do for self-care and how has it impacted you?
Self-care has become a big priority for me. I used to think I was a slacker for taking breaks, but working from home in the same four walls 24/7 will make anyone go sir-crazy. I’d catch myself staring at the wall until my boyfriend got home, reorganizing my spice rack like it was a competitive sport and that’s when I realized I needed to get out, literally.
Now, walks are my form of therapy. They reset my brain, help me shake off creative blocks, and remind me that there’s an actual world outside my computer screen. If you’re a photographer you know how deep you can get into the “zoom-scroll.” Sometimes I’ll put on a podcast, meditate, or sometimes it’s just me and my thoughts.
What’s wild is how much more creative I am afterward. I’ll come back from a 20-minute walk and suddenly have ten new ideas, a fresh burst of energy, and the motivation to tackle edits or client work that felt impossible an hour ago. I am a person who is highly driven, so walking is a “break” that I can do which is still productive.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
I’m a brand photographer who helps businesses bring their products to life through photos, videos, and graphics specializing in the food and beverage space. My work blends lifestyle photography, e-commerce shots, and custom graphics for retail sites and social media.
What I love most about what I do is how every shoot feels different. One day I’m styling a catering menu, and the next I’m photographing a fragrance brand that wants to highlight the fresh ingredients behind their scent — which, funnily enough, brought me right back to working with food.
Right now, I’m focusing on expanding my services to include more bundled content options — photography, video, and infographics — for brands that sell on platforms like Amazon, Walmart, and Target. It’s exciting to help businesses elevate their online presence with visuals that stand out in a scroll-heavy world.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
As a new photographer every single shoot is nerve racking because every shoot is different. That’s why the three most important qualities I’ve learned are resilience, flexibility, and staying calm under pressure. Not every shot can be redone so you need to get it on the first try and nothing can prepare you for it. You of course can practice at home and read books but nothing is like real time experience. My best advice for anyone starting out? Remind yourself often: I’m a great photographer who figures out things on the go and delivers high quality content.
Do you think it’s better to go all in on our strengths or to try to be more well-rounded by investing effort on improving areas you aren’t as strong in?
I think it’s 100% essential to invest in the areas you’re not as strong in—especially in a creative field.
It boils down to the fact that you never stop learning. As a creative, there’s always the next new thing, and if you don’t actively learn, you absolutely get left behind. It’s much better to embrace change and see it as an opportunity to level up. That’s why I genuinely love investing my time and money in courses; it’s the fastest way to acquire a new, valuable skill.
When I first started out as a photographer, I saw video becoming a bigger and bigger need for clients. My initial reaction was, ‘Nope, that won’t be me.’ But then I realized that clients were consistently looking for someone who could provide both services. When I finally decided to tackle that weakness and learn video, it became the best add-on I could provide.
So for me, investing in those weaknesses isn’t just a nice-to-have; it’s a requirement for growth.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.samantharishe.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sam_rishe/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samantha-rishe/
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