Samantha Whitehead shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Samantha, so good to connect and we’re excited to share your story and insights with our audience. There’s a ton to learn from your story, but let’s start with a warm up before we get into the heart of the interview. Are you walking a path—or wandering?
I really like this question because it resonates deeply with me. I am about to be 32 years old, and I finally can say that I am in a place where I feel I am walking a path. I also want to make it very clear that there is nothing wrong with wandering. I spent most of my life in the wandering zone. I actually thrived in this spaced. Wandering allowed me to travel the world, with little care. I was going with the flow and seeing where the wind took me. I rarely had a plan, and I certainly was not attached to a specific outcome because I loved living in the unknown of it all. Sure, I went to college and majored in education, but my path beyond that was far from linear. Three countries, and about ten states later, I have found my home, and path in Colorado. I probably owe the wandering years of my life a big thank you for getting me to where I am today. House of Aura, my global Aura Photography business, was born from a place of non-attachment and pure child-like curiosity of what the future could hold. I think taking a leap of faith really pushes you to embody this mentality, and for that I am grateful.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Samantha Whitehead, founder of House of Aura, a global aura photography business that make the spiritual realities tangible. Using a custom built aura camera with hand sensors that detect electromagnetic currents, we create double-exposed Polaroids that reveal each guest’s aura. An auric field is a visual reflection of one’s energetic imprint. Each session includes a guided reading that invites guests to connect with their higher selves, gain etheric insight, and leave feeling aligned and inspired.
House of Aura redefines the lens by which we see ourselves. When working with us, expect the unexpected. At each event we continually sell out, magnetize many, and connect each person closer to the unseen dimensions that are all around us.
Each guest receives a gift that includes their Aura photo from the session, a color guide to the auric fields, and the memories of a reading to guide their soul with tangible steps forward in their day to day life. We are well versed in global production in far reaching areas of the world, which is something we are excited about expanding.
As a true scorpio, I have always had a passion and insatiable curiosity for the more unseen aspects of life. That combined with the fact that I have been tied to a camera since as early as I could remember is what pushed me to dive into the world of Aura Photography. It feels like a true calling and aligned match for my human design.
Okay, so here’s a deep one: What was your earliest memory of feeling powerful?
As a child, my family moved around a lot. I went to three different elementary schools in the span of three years. With that comes a lot of change, and the necessity to adapt quickly. I think this is one of the big reasons why I am able to “chameleon” in situations, and in new environments. In fifth grade I made it my mission to become friends with the “popular girls.” As we transitioned into middle school, the group became bigger. No matter how hard I tried to fit in, there was something that always felt off. Eventually I learned that I was being made fun of, and was getting called “the shadow.” These girls considered me a follower, and I would never be accepted as a true friend. At first this hurt me, but I truly look back on this situation today and consider it one of the biggest turning moments of my life. Who knew that at eleven years old you could have such a profound awakening – the kind that cracks you open just enough to start seeing yourself, others, and the world in a new way. I know the saying goes, “if you can’t beat them, join them” but that is not what I had in mind. Instead of putting my head down and ignoring the secretive bullying, I made it my mission to start an entirely different friend group. I became a connecter for girls that also came into middle school looking for new genuine connections. I stood up for myself and spoke my truth to the girls who bullied me, forming real, meaningful connections in the process. That experience was my first taste of genuine empowerment, and it is something that has stayed with me ever since.
What did suffering teach you that success never could?
I am a firm believer that struggle can be a key element in the pursuit of success. That said, it’s important to recognize that struggle only becomes fuel for success when you choose to learn and grow from it, and that’s not always easy to do. It often requires patience, self-reflection, and the willingness to face discomfort head-on. As someone who has experienced, loss, set backs, and suffering early on in life I can say that those challenges have taught me to have a deeper compassion for others because I have been there myself. Struggle has a unique ability to reveal why things work, while success often only shows how they work. Through these experiences, I’ve gained a depth of understanding of myself, of others, and of life as a whole. I look back on the hardships in my life with immense gratitude, because more often than not, they’ve been the very fuel that keeps me moving forward. These are lessons that I might not have found through success alone.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
As an aura photographer, I work in the realms of the unseen – the industry of healing and spiritually. I think one of the biggest lies my industry promotes is the “light and love” movement. In my opinion, this ideology suggests that we should always lean into the brightest, happiest versions of ourselves, while ignoring or bypassing the parts that feel heavy, uncomfortable, or dark. This is problematic because the human experience is vast and it holds both light and shadow. When we deny our darker emotions, we deny essential parts of who we are. True healing doesn’t come from pretending everything is okay, it comes from acknowledging those aspects of self, and giving them space to be seen and understood. Ignoring these aspects often leads to spiritual bypassing, where positivity becomes a mask rather than a pathway to growth.
In my work, I try to hold space for the full spectrum of the human experience. When I capture someone’s aura, I don’t just focus on the “beautiful” colors or high vibrations. I invite my clients to explore the deeper meaning behind the darker tones as well. Those colors often represent transformation, release, and truth. By honoring every part of our energy, the light and the shadow, we allow real healing to happen.
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. What do you think people will most misunderstand about your legacy?
Legacy is an interesting concept. I like to think of it as the energy, values, and impact we leave behind in others and in the world. Something that others might misunderstand about my legacy is how much of it came from intention rather than ease. On the surface, my life and work, the travel, the aura photography, might look pretty & effortless. Yet, I arrived here through moments that often go unseen. The struggles, the self-reflection, the persistence, and the conscious choices to face both light and shadow. . I believe that those who know me best recognize these things about me. My legacy is built not on ease, but on the dedication to showing up fully, even when it was hard.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.houseofaura.co
- Instagram: houseofaura.co
- Other: tiktok: houseofaura.co
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
