Yo yo! It’s SamLee 👋🏾
I was raised to value hard work and meaningful connections by a driven, God-fearing mother of three from Tennessee. Growing up in a small town, opportunities weren’t handed to me; if anything, they were few and far between. I have a huge imagination, a natural curiosity, and a positive outlook that won’t allow me to settle for less. This mindset has opened doors I didn’t know existed, leading me down paths I’d only dreamed of.
Upon graduating high school at the top of my class, I pursued a Bachelor of Science in Advertising with a minor in Business Administration from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville [GO V🍊LS!]. Against all odds, I landed an internship and full-time offer with one of the top advertising agencies in the world to work with Kentucky Fried Chicken during the global pandemic of 2020. This kickstarted my professional career and since then, I’ve relocated to Oregon and New York to explore the depths of my creativity in the business world.
Now at age 26, I’m confident in who God has called me to be and my mission to serve his people through photo & film. I see the world in such vivid detail, and I want to give others a chance to see themselves and the world in a way that feels unforgettable and timeless.
It’s more than snapping pictures. It’s about connecting with people, capturing their spirit, and creating memories they can hold onto long after the moment has passed. If you’re interested, let’s work. I’d love to meet you.
A young soul from the south.
“An obstacle is not a hindrance, but an incentive”
Keep pushing. Everything you desire is on the other side of heartache and fear.
-SamLee
ᴏʙsᴛᴀᴄʟᴇ ≠ ʜɪɴᴅʀᴀɴᴄᴇ = ɪɴᴄᴇɴᴛɪᴠᴇ
✞
ᴏʙsᴛᴀᴄʟᴇ ≠ ʜɪɴᴅʀᴀɴᴄᴇ = ɪɴᴄᴇɴᴛɪᴠᴇ ✞
NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENTS
National trade association representing the advertising agency business nationwide. Its membership produces a pathway for aspiring advertising professionals to begin cultivating tangible, transferable skill-sets through virtual training and internship opportunities. It connects hundreds of agencies with top talent from over 3,800 colleges across the country through a highly selective application process.
D5in10 Creative Portfolio Program ‘23
A highly selective 10-week portfolio program taught by senior and executive Droga5 creatives. Students learn creative problem solving in an advertising context and what it takes to generate an idea. Together, we came up with unique, unexpected executions that drive conversation in culture.
Twitch Affiliate
I reached Twitch Affiliate in October of 2020 after streaming five days per week for two months. I used engagement tactics like subathons, giveaways, 24+ hour streams, charity events, and community game nights to drive mass awareness on Twitch, Instagram, Discord, and TikTok. This became my 5-9 after the 9-5.