SAMANTHA DAVIS

Based between Dorset and London.

Worked with Jaap Buitendijk on Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows parts 1 and 2.

Loves dogs and being warm.

Shoots Sony Alpha.

 

Hello and welcome!

I am a freelance photographer specialising in portraits and unit stills for the TV and film industry.

I’ve been a freelance photographer for 16 years, shooting various projects at home and abroad. I was raised by the beach in Bournemouth and now divide my time between Dorset and London.

I started shooting film with my dad’s Contax cameras and began developing my own film in dark rooms as a teen. After studying photography, art and media for A Level, I received a 2:1 honours degree in Writing Fashion and Culture with Photography from Solent University. When I left uni I was lucky enough to be given a full time studio position in Southampton which honed my skills for posing and working efficiently under pressure, starting my freelance journey.

I was lucky enough to work as an intern for the legendary stills photographer Jaap Buitendijk on Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows parts 1 and 2. Working with his assistants in the studio space ‘The Stillery’ on gallery shoots and on set assisting. It was an incredible experience and whilst I was young at the time and knew I needed to build my photography skills - it’s what ignited my love of unit stills.

More recently I have completed a mentorship with Nicola Dove, the stills photographer for the most recent Bond film ‘No Time to Die’. This has been a wonderful education into the etiquette of being on set and how to make everybody happy (by mostly being a photo ninja there to make everyone look good without getting in the way!) She has shared a wealth of knowledge with me and I am privileged to have learnt from one of the best. Additionally, I have undertaken a workshop with renowned stills photographer Gareth Gatrell to improve studio lighting skills and working with talent in a fast paced environment.

I have recently worked with ITV and Garden Studios and am available for stills and key art over the coming months of 2024.