Born and raised in San Francisco, California, Samantha Edwards has been a portrait photographer since 2007. Her photography has been published in the Quiddity, and SF Travel (online.) Her clientele includes Bay Area musicians, authors, business owners, bloggers, and Bay Area-based actors. 

Samantha's journey to photography began in a photography class during her time at San Francisco State University, but, her need to take on the craft was fueled by a comment her photography professor made justifying the lack of diversity in the industry. 

"She said, 'Black sucks in light, white reflects it. That's why black fabric or black dogs aren't used in photography.'  I remember raising my hand and saying, 'well what about Black people?' Without a pause, she said, 'It's the same as the dog. Darker skin is harder to photograph.' Maybe she saw my expression because she followed it up with the classic:  'it's not racist, it's a fact.' The issue I had that day wasn't so much that she compared the black fur of a dog to Black skin, but... that most of the class seemed to agree with her. That's 8 photographers who may or may not...but probably will, remember her words and act accordingly."

 This is why Samantha's subjects are diverse, like the city she lives in, representing all skin tones and ethnicities is a priority.