Steven received the degree of Master of Photography in 1984, and the degree of Photographic Craftsman in 1996. He has lectured across the U.S. and internationally on his unique photographic style. He has also been the recipient of numerous state, regional and national awards for his distinctive style. He has been named "Photographer of the Year" for seven consecutive years by the Connecticut Professional Photographers Association. The Long Island section of the Professional Photographers Society of New York also awarded to Steven "Photographer of the Year" for his unique candid portraiture. Other major awards include the ART LEATHER AWARD for the most outstanding creative wedding album, the COURT OF HONOR (the highest award a state can bestow) from the states Connecticut, Hawaii, New York and Rhode Island Professional Photographers Associations. His portraiture has been accepted by the PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHERS OF AMERICA ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL EXHIBIT on numerous occasions. Several prints were also accepted for the prestigious A.S.P. LOAN COLLECTION. Only a select few prints out of thousands submitted throughout the United States, Canada and the world are accepted for this exhibit.

Steven's photography has also been accepted for the INTERNATIONAL HALL OF FAME, becoming Connecticut's first photographer to have this honor bestowed upon his. The Professional Photographers of America also ranked his 5th in the U.S. in a competition for "Photographer of the Year" for his unique candid style. The Professional Photographers of New England awarded to him the HASTINGS MEMORIAL TROPHY for distinguished craftsmanship. The Hastings Award takes up to six years to be able to qualify, and all prints submitted for this award must be personally created by the photographer from camera to finished print, including the developing and printing of the photograph. Only those photographers meeting the highest quality standards are presented with this award.

Steven was awarded "WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR", "BEST PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR", "CANDID PRINT OF THE YEAR" by Professional Photographers of Nevada, and "BEST WEDDING PHOTOGRAPH" by Nevada Professional Photographers.

Steven was an official photographer to First Lady Barbara Bush, and President George Bush

Steven and his assistant pose with the President.

 Samples from my portfolio

Steven's Thoughts

Some personal thoughts from...Steven Samson, Creative Director.

Master of Photography
Photography Hall of Fame
Photographic Craftsman

My love for photography started at the age of nine, when my aunt gave a camera to me for Christmas. I always loved artistic things, but wasn't very good at any of the arts, until that camera was put in my hands! In my junior year in high school, I worked (for free) for a local studio. I watched, and studied everything I could. I would always go out with the photographer to assist at weddings for the experience. One Saturday I walked into the studio, and was handed a camera outfit. I was told the other photographer was too sick and could not shoot the wedding. It was ME or nothing! I was a bit nervous, but I knew I could do it. The photographer said his wedding finished early, and he would take over at the Greenwich Country Club (in CT) when he was done. I had no problems, and the parents of the bride asked me to finish instead of the studio owner, as they liked me! I knew I was given a talent for this work, as it always came so easy, and at that very first wedding, under all kinds of pressure, I won an award (my very first) for a photograph I captured just at the right moment as the Bride and Groom left the Church with rice flying everywhere!

After that wedding, a junior in high school, I became a regular photographer at the studio. I just got better and better. I graduated high school, and went to The Germain School of Photography, which was affiliated with St John's University in New York City. I had to pay my own way so I worked two jobs during the summer, and the studio as well. When school started, I stayed on as night manager for a IHOP. It closed at 1AM, and I was on a train to school at 6AM! Only my youth and love for photography kept me going! After I graduated, (in the top 10 of my class and had a top award winning photograph) I was offered to buy out the photographer I was working for, becoming the youngest businessperson in town at the age of twenty.

I have photographed and produced videos many different functions, business, and social. I have photographed many Governors, company executive, and CEO's. My proudest moment in my career was when I was asked to do an assignment for The President of The United States in 1990. They liked me so much, I was offered a regular job, but because my son was just three years old, I had to turn it down. My first love still is the art of photography. I continued to win all kinds of awards, which is easy when your heart is in your work.

Now, with forty years in the industry, I am still in love with my work. Each assignment is a special challenge for me to do "some different and unique." I am proud of the fond memories my images will bring back over and over, both photographs and video. It all comes down to one quote from the Bible:

"Whatever you do, work at it with all of your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving."
Colossians 3: 23-24