Samson Kidane

Project List
About

Documentary and editorial photographer with a background in video production, experienced in communicating the intimacy found when capturing a moment.

My Stuff


Hand to God

Photo Series

April 2026



This work is centered around the images of wild clay


In this work, I use tactile images of clay in hand to allude to the visceral experience of being shaped by someone. I combine documentary and editorial techniques, using angles and editing commonly found in editorial work to achieve compelling visual aesthetics. At the same time, I work to capture my subjects candidly without posing as to not remove my subjects from the world they inhabit. Emulating the simultaneous intimacy and disquietude of Ingmar Bergman’s Persona, I use harsh shadows and tight close-ups to create visual drama. Hands are the most definitive feature that the artist seeks to leverage in their photographs. 


In this work, I explore Boulder Creek using myself as a subject. I use the natural scene as a backdrop to allude to how nature can mirror the forces that shape relationships. 

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Do we Believe in NCAR

Documentary

May 2026



Do we Believe in NCAR is a documentary exploring how young people are processing climate change in a country that refuses to acknowledge it.

Do We Believe in NCAR is an expository documentary that explores anticipatory grief surrounding climate change. The project investigates how young people are being affected by conversations centered around climate change. 

Using on-street interviews, the work centers itself in the lived experience of young folks. It invites young people to air the psychological wounds of the climate change discourse and renew their conviction in the planet. The project engages with the possible closure of NCAR, the National Center for Atmospheric Research, addressing partisan attempts to dismiss the subject. Ultimately, it proposes that people process the collective reality of climate change through individual stories, as understanding the ills of our ecosystem is the only way to combat it effectively.
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BuckleBoi 

Spec Shoot

September 2024



A mock-up for a campaign for a small belt buckle reselling business

Mixing editorial energy with product focus, this shoot was about showing range and building a vibe. Working with a small group of amateur models, I shaped a loose yet distinct identity, framing these belt buckles as statement pieces that fit naturally into each person’s style.

You’ll notice bits of Americana remixed for a generation of consumers eager to build a fresh relationship with pieces rooted in a long visual history.

Sweeethearts 

Found Footage Film

October 2022



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Sourced from the Internet Archive, this found-footage film draws on media at varying distances from the present. While some forms have faded, the PSA anchoring this piece provides a consistent thread. Vintage horror films make up the second body of material, images that still resonate in contemporary media.

Treating horror as a lens into our darker instincts, this work explores how these narratives simultaneously construct and reinforce heteronormative relationships.

Student Society PR

Photo
Graphic Design

August 2025


As Public Relations Chair for NSBE, I focused on developing a clear, engaging visual identity for the chapter.

Through social media campaigns, event promotion, and collaborative outreach, I worked to highlight both the organization’s mission and the community behind it. From designing graphics to experimenting with short-form content, my goal was to make NSBE feel visible, accessible, and worth showing up for.

About Me

Contact


Don’t be a stranger
Contact me if you would like to commission work or collaborate

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Bio

Samson/Sammy is dazed and at times confused. He is currently based in Boulder, Colorado. He is a man of many interests and slightly fewer talents, including photography and film production. With a degree in Information Science, works at the intersection of art and technology. He aspires to that perfect balance of aesthetically minded choices with data-driven insights. 



 
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