In Conversation with Spam Jam!
Meet Samantha King also known as Spam Jam. She's a young creative based in Los Angeles and London with a unique aesthetic highly influenced by the 70s and 80s. Pictured are her photos in collaboration with artist Maya Mae Willis.
Is there a meaning behind Spam Jam?
There's not any real meaning behind it. Just a nickname growing up. My real name is Samantha.
How would you describe your aesthetic?
This is a tough question. I'd say Phil Spector meets True Romance with a D'Angelo soundtrack.
Where do you find your inspiration?
I find a lot of my inspiration in 1970's Donna Summer music videos and John Coltrane footage. As well as Paul Thomas Anderson and Martin Scorsese films.
Any particular friends/artists of yours that serve as great inspiration?
My best friends inspire me. We all understand what each other like and it's all quite similar whether it’s colours, music, or movies and so on. Isaiah Teofilo, my best friend in the world, who's a stylist very much serves as a great inspiration. There's never really a time we disagree on anything.
How did you get into photography?
I studied film at uni, took a cinematography class and went from there. I guess it just came naturally and my love for it grew over time.
What are you trying to achieve every time you take a photo?
I'd say I'm trying to capture something you'd really want to see in a dream-like world. Something that sparkles in the light and takes you back to disco days. I prefer to take photos on film because there's something about it that seems so pure and the colours never fail to amaze me. Though these photos I'm sending you are digital today. I messed around with the lens on my camera to get a glowing, shiny look to take you back in time.
What is a big "no no” when taking pictures?
A big “no no” for me is being unoriginal and not taking risks. Also, I'm not a fan of bland shots that don't really have much thought put into them... unless they are documenting something.
MODEL: MAYA MAE WILLIS STYLING: PHOTOGRAPHER'S OWN
ALL PHOTOS BY SPAM JAM