SAM HARTMAN

EXPERIENCE

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Freelance Photographer                                                                                       June 2018 - Present

I've had the pleasure of working with a diverse range of clients, from the talented filmmaker Colette Copeland to capturing those unforgettable graduation moments. Whether snapping shots for bands, handling PR and media gigs, or diving into behind-the-scenes action, every shoot has been a unique experience. I'm not just clicking away for fun – I keep an online photography portfolio (Sam Hartman Photo) where I showcase my best work, and I have even sold some of my most popular prints. Most recently, I was honored to be selected as the featured artist at the Curate 119 Gallery at Chapman University. 

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Lifestyle Blog Content Creator for Samisalwaysbusy.com                                            July 2019 - Present

As the creative force behind Samsalwaysbusy.com in Irvine, I've been weaving together captivating stories and eye-catching visuals. Whether it's enhancing the bi-monthly publications with polished photos or writing interesting articles, I've been all about making our content pop. And you know what? It's been working! Our viewership has seen a solid 20% boost week over week. Plus, I've been having a blast building our brand across social media platforms, where our engagement has shot up by a whopping 50%! Oh, and when it comes to marketing documents, I've got that covered too – always finding new ways to spread the word and keep our readers coming back for more.

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Student Film Producer at Chapman University                                                     August 2019 - May 2022

During my time at Chapman University's Dodge College of Film and Media, I was knee-deep in the world of student filmmaking. I crafted a children's script that made waves, getting selected for multiple film festivals and snagging the Best Screenplay award at the Maverick Film Festival. But that's not all – I also had the chance to venture to the Philippines and direct a documentary that wowed audiences, earning Best Cinematography at the IndieEye Film Awards. And hey, I wasn't just behind the camera – I also gained experience acting as script supervisor, director, mentor for junior productions, and even writing various projects. It was a whirlwind of creativity and collaboration that resulted in multiple films making their mark on the festival circuit.

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Production, Marketing Manager, and Photographer for Colette Copeland         June 2019 - August 2020

I was right in the heart of the action while working as the Production and Marketing Manager/Photographer for Colette Copeland, an independent filmmaker based in Dallas, TX. My days were a whirlwind of creativity and coordination. From managing the nitty-gritty logistics of productions – handling finances, setting up lighting rigs, and making sure everything ran like clockwork – to spearheading our marketing efforts across every platform imaginable. You name it, I did it – from YouTube to social media, spreading the word and getting eyes on our projects. And you know what? It paid off big time. Our film "Fear of Flying" took home Best Picture awards at four different festivals, including some pretty big names like the Oregon Cinema Arts Festival and the Wimberley Film Festival. 

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Intern and Photographer for Dallas Medianale                                                    May 2019 - August 2019 As an intern and photographer for Dallas Medianales, I dove headfirst into the world of festival planning and execution. I was tasked with reengineering the festival program to make things run smoother than ever before. From managing budgets to ensuring everything was in line with accounting principles, I flexed my project management muscles like never before. But that's not all – I also got to showcase my design and copywriting skills by creating a visually stunning festival program. It was all about bringing together images and written content to capture the essence of the festival and make it shine.

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Behind-the-Scenes Photographer and PR Manager for Women in Film                                 August 2019

In August 2019, I stepped in as their Photographer and PR Manager, ready to make a difference. I took the reins on creating captivating behind-the-scenes imagery for our social media announcements. We saw a whopping 30% surge in engagement thanks to my efforts. But that's not all – I also had the chance to curate and select images for the front page of the organization's website, leading to elevated viewership and a deeper connection with our audience. For the PR side of things – I managed press releases and cooked up an email marketing campaign that really hit the mark. With a higher click-through rate and a flood of new volunteers, it was clear that our efforts were paying off big time!