When Samantha Lamb clicks the shutter, you are transported into a realm of idyllic countrysides and farm life. Colorful quilts laid out in the tall green prairie. Harmonicas. Bundles of fresh eggs. Picnics. Worn old books. Jars of honey. Waving wheat. Open sky. It’s a romantic view of rural Oklahoma, stemming from Lamb’s passion for her way of life. There are no distractions of modern living, nor its frenzied pace in her work. Sam Lamb’s images are a sanctuary. Her photography gives us that picnic in the fields, the one we yearn for, if only for a moment.

Visit Samantha Lamb’s website, and follow her on Twitter.

Read this week’s interview with Samantha Lamb…

1. Tell us how you found your way into photography.

Actually, it found me while I was trying to save the world through news anchoring during college one story at a time. Somebody told me I had good composition and I asked him or her what composition was. We quickly fell in love and soon I found myself in a field every morning and every evening taking captures. In truth, once I had discovered the art of Photography and the possibility of capturing the scenes inside of my crazy Nebula (what I call my mind) there was no going to any other career. My life now for the last four years has been stuck at a 2.8 DOF…just taking it all in (I am so sorry if that is to cheesy.. I am very cheesy).

2. How do you classify yourself as a photographer?

I live in the realm of fine art. I would classify myself as a Light Capturer. I also do promo photography for musicians.

3. Describe to us a typical week in your life.

Well, I live on a farm in Southwest Oklahoma with my dog Harold where I have my art studio and various farm friends. Every morning I sketch out ideas for art and do some creative writing. Winters can be slow for picture taking for me so I use that time for bigger projects where I usually put together books of my art for publication and winter is also a great time for building frames in my wood shop. When spring comes into full bloom though, the ideas begin to emerge and every second is taken up with new art and gardening here at Early Bird Acres. So, every week is different for me here on the farm. One week I will be packaging prints almost every day for the individuals who have purchased them online and the next I might be in Kentucky doing art in the mountains and doing promo shots for usually a bluegrass or folk band. I enjoy the variety.

4. What is your favorite subject matter?

Currently, lovely picnic scenes I set up in meadows and fields for my newest series called “Lion*Light*Lamb: The Perpetual Picnic”.  Oklahoma lends it’s self to oh so many beautiful spots that are very easy to find if you simply take the time to look. I am always looking. Even in my sleep.

5. How do you approach a photo shoot?

I almost always shoot during the magic hour of early morning since I only use natural light. I am an early bird (hence the name of my farm).  But I also shoot during this time because this is when I am most creative. I always take along my folks tunes. Good old Sam Beam usually plays the part of creative muse while I am out creating art on my various shoots.

6. Can you share with us a memorable experience from your career? A special moment, or favorite shoot?

Within the art realm, I always enjoy the stories I receive from the individuals who purchase my prints. At shows, I love it when they approach me and tell the story of where they put the image and just how much light it adds to a room and how every time they look at it, it makes them smile. These moments mean the world and a half. I find pure joy in knowing the scenes that I treasure and have captured can also bring joy into other peoples lives. Seems kind of surreal that I get to make a living from it really.

I could never pin an absolutely favorite shoot. Memorable times run through my head, like a picnic I had with the Ugly Suit, a wonderful band out of Oklahoma City, or when I went on the road with my good friend Samantha Crain and wore my favorite square dancing outfit to one of her performances where she introduced me to Doyle Lawson and I nearly swooned. Overall, it is just very amazing to meet so many dedicated musicians who also love Oklahoma as much as I do.

7. Do you think being from (or working in) Oklahoma has influenced your artistic vision? If so, how?

Oh my goodness gracious yes!!!:) I pride myself in being Oklahoma born and laying my creative roots here through my artwork and farm. Since most of my artwork is Oklahoma Inspired and related, it really has infused its self with my whole being. I try to explain to other people while I am traveling how much Oklahoma really means to me and most of the time it comes off sounding like a fairy tale. Honestly, I do try to assimilate my days into being closer to a Disney movie than a normal human day. But this beautiful land has given me the opportunity to be as creative and fanciful as I wish. Heck, I was named after the song Oklahoma (Samantha Joelle Honey Lamb..Every night my honey lamb and I). I hope that answers your question.

8. How have you benefited from being part of a creative community (workplace, classroom, associations, etc.)

I have met all of my best friends through the creative world and this is a constant conversation during our dinners and chitchats over coffee. When you feel as if what you are doing is futile and just going into some large void of used energy and time, your creative community can be there to tell you otherwise. There is a lot of things that a person can not see right away from an inside perspective and that is when your other like minded friends can step in and not only let you know that you are not going crazy, but help you see your crazy ideas through. It is essential to have a creative community around you and once you truly give yourself over to the idea of one, you are always pleasantly surprised. I will take this opportunity to use OVAC as an example. They have become like family and have really encouraged me through it all.

9. What is your vision of the future of the industry?

I believe in the next even 5 years, the ability of file sharing between people will become so fancy I might be able to dance while swooping my hand over a pad and sending files to Sweden (for that is where my eye is set for the newest realm of unique photography shows to pop up). But the Industry as a whole surprises me a lot. Me, only just having turned 25 a few weeks ago, have not had the opportunity to see it change a whole lot, but I just hope that our film processors stick around because I do love Medium format.

10. What is the vision of your future?

I want to carry my installations over seas to various locations. Mostly, I just want to continue to make people happy with my captures and keep making lovely light filled series that bring to light my pastoral state of mind. (Oh…& I will have a cottage in my back yard that will be my art studio that is fashioned after a dream I had once where I was Snow White).

11. Can you lend some advice to young photographers?

Be dedicated to your creativity. Things might seem tedious and the road might seem long, but just imagine your unique idea out for all to enjoy. Just remember to carry around a notebook or tape recorder to put your ideas into permanence. Inspiration is given for a reason, so just make sure you are obedient. I usually abandon everything to go and capture a scene in my Nebula.

Oh…& remember to love life my dears. Because if you look around it is obvious how it aches to love you.