Hey, I’m Sam.

A man smiling and looking at the camera walking through a pumpkin patch on a cloudy day. near Smith Rock Redmond, Oregon

I’m a Bend based senior photographer focused on creating portraits that feel authentic, confident, and personal.

My goal is to create more than just great photos - I want every session to feel relaxed and genuinely fun.

Photography wasn’t always the plan for me.

I didn’t grow up always wanting to be a photographer or carrying a camera everywhere I went. For most of my adult life, I was heavily into cars, and a lot of my identity was tied to that world. Friends would often compliment the photos I took of my car and eventually convinced me to buy a camera to create even better images.

Not long after buying my first camera in 2015, my car was totaled - and suddenly the hobby that had been such a big part of my life was gone.

What I was left with was a camera and a lot of extra time.

I started brining my camera everywhere, and eventually people began asking if I could take photos for them. Over time, those casual sessions turned into something much more meaningful. I realized how much I genuinely enjoyed photographing people, building connections, and helping others feel confident in front of the camera.

That passion eventually became SM Portraits - a photography experience built around authenticity, confidence, and creating images that are fun and lasting.