BIcOASTAL photography studio
SAN FRANCISCO, CA & CHICAGO, IL
FILM & DIGITAL
/ VISUAL STORYTELLING
Weddings are a whirlwind of emotions, shifting from quiet anticipation to bursts of joy, each moment telling a unique story.
As a documentary wedding photographer, I capture these moments as they unfold naturally, focusing on the unfiltered intimacies of human connection—those fleeting glances, whispered words, and unscripted gestures that tell a deeper story than any posed portrait. This approach is for those who embrace authenticity, who choose love in all its messy, beautiful forms, and create a day that speaks to their hearts, free from tradition.
If you value real moments over perfection, this is for you. This is your story, your day, and I’m here to document it all, exactly as it is.
/ LET's do this
GALLERIES
JESSIE & ABE
MEREDITH & DAMIANO
TARA & TREVOR
ROOFTOP & RESTAURANT WEDDING
/ CHICAGO, IL
COLORFUL ITALIAN WEDDING
/ FLORENce, ITALY
MODERN CITY WEDDING
/ CHICAGO, IL
( VIEW ALL )
I'M SAMANTHA, BUT YOU CAN CALL ME SAM.
I think love is all the rage, a hopeless ROMANTIC TO THE CORE.
IMAGES OF THE HUMAN EXPERIENCE,
all are welcome here.
I believe in making imagery that allows you to walk through your wedding day—one of life’s most intimate and meaningful moments—in your full and unapologetic humanity. With a documentary-style approach to photography, I focus on capturing the real, unposed moments that make your day uniquely yours. Whether you're celebrating in the heart of Chicago or the vibrant energy of San Francisco, my bi-coastal presence allows me to bring a fresh perspective to each wedding, documenting the raw emotion, unscripted interactions, and authentic connections that define your story. No matter who or what is on the other side of my lens, there’s nothing more beautiful than photos that embrace and celebrate the full spectrum of your experience. I couldn’t be more excited for the chance to work together, whether in the bustling city streets or in the quiet serenity of your favorite place, as we tell your story exactly as it unfolds.
/ GET TO KNOW ME
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MEREDITH & DAMIANO
We shot our engagement photos with Sam in Chicago, and what should've been a few hours turned into a whole day of laughter and pure joy. She truly made us feel like the best versions of ourselves and it shows through the images she created for us. A few weeks later, we asked her to join us in Italy to shoot our wedding, and we stand by that being the best decision we made surrounding the whole day. We felt so at ease with her, like no special moment would go unnoticed. Her work truly captures how the day felt-- which was pure magic-- and all our guests have commented the same. Every photo draws a palpable feeling and captures our day, bit by bit, as absolutely glowing as it felt. Samantha is so special and every ounce of her hard work shows through her incredible art. The way she can sense a feeling and translate it to art is unbelievable. We cannot thank her enough for the photos she created for us; we will cherish them forever.
/ FLORENCE, ITALY WEDDINg
JEssie & Abe
In addition to being incredibly talented, Sam made the entire process seamless. Her communication and approach were perfect. She worked closely with our coordinators to collaborate on a timeline that allowed her to execute the vision we had for our photos without sacrificing critical time to just enjoy ourselves on our big day — a huge priority for us.
Her energy on our wedding day was, to put it lightly, a godsend. It felt like we had an old friend by our side supporting us through the biggest moment of our lives — and she also just happened to be capturing the most beautiful photos of us to ever exist. We enjoyed every second with her, and believe that it’s not only her talent behind a camera — but just being a damn good human — that allows her to be able to capture the raw, beautiful moments of your big day.
The result of our time with Sam is a collection of timeless photos we will cherish forever. We know that whatever milestone may come up in our life, Sam will be the person we call to capture it. Throughout our process, we gained not just a photographer, but a friend. And for that we are so grateful.
/ cHICAGO, IL WEDDINg
Tara & Trevor
Working with Sam on our wedding was a complete joy. By just looking at her work, you can tell she’s immensely talented. Her documentarian style photography was exactly what we’re were looking for. Raw, beautiful, and real. But once we chatted with her that we discovered she’s not only a gifted photographer, but also smart, funny, and incredibly passionate about the work she does. We instantly felt that we were in great hands.
Our engagement shoot was the first time my fiancé and I had ever taken professional photos, and Sam made the whole experience totally comfortable and relaxed. On our wedding day, she turned into the ultimate hype woman, transforming what could have been an overwhelming day into a wild and fun experience. Sam doesn’t just take stunning photos; she also masterfully manages the day’s schedule. She’s organized, professional, and timely. She knows how to take charge, keeping our family and bridal party in line, engaged, and enjoying themselves. By the end of the evening, she was out on the dance floor with us, capturing incredible shots of our guests having the time of their lives. People were asking if she was a relative because of her warm and friendly nature. She blended in perfectly.
We are so grateful to Sam for capturing the happiest day of our lives so beautifully. We are forever grateful to have these amazing photos!
