Samantha Oulavong

Samantha is a free-lance photographer who is currently residing in the beautiful city of Chicago.

Samantha started out as a self-portrait photographer. Using her camera to document the grief of losing her mother, Samantha eventually found a place to fully express her private thoughts. The self-portraits eventually transitioned to documenting the struggles of those living in abject poverty that she witnessed while volunteering in third world countries.

She draws inspiration from a variety of artists like Henri Cartier-Bresson, Saul Leiter, Sebasatiao Salgado, and French film maker Bruno Aveillan.

Just as each brush stroke on a canvas is an extension of the painter, Samantha's photography is a reflection of herself and the human condition.

Northern Illinois University
Leo Marchutz School of Art and Design

2020-First Place Juried Virtual Exhibition, Under The Pandemic, Naperville Art League, Naperville, IL
2018- Bringing Sexy Back, Group Exhibition: Jackson Junge Gallery, Chicago, IL
2015- First Runner-Up Juried Exhibition: Perspective Group and Photo Gallery, Evanston, IL (Juror Paul Berlanga of Stephen Daiter Art Gallery, Chicago, IL)
2012- Juried Exhibition: 3rd Anniversary Show at Waterstreet Studios, Batavia, IL (Juror Sergio Gomez of Zhou B. Art Center, Chicago, IL)
2011- Solo Exhibition- Chef Amaury, Aurora, IL
2009-Group Exhibition Lost and Found: The Art of Making Art After An Extended Interlude, David L. Pierce Center, Aurora, IL
2009- Illinois Skyway Collegiate Conference Juried Art Exhibition, Waubonsie Community College, Sugar Grove, IL
2009- Solo Exhibition- David L. Pierce Center, Aurora, IL