Korea Made Me Love Photography Again
A Goodmate guest story that began with a spontaneous trip - and ended with over 1,000 unforgettable moments.
Meet Sam (@bysamsnapshots), who quietly joined one of our tours… and ended up capturing not just photos, but the heart of the whole group.
Before I boarded that flight to Korea, I had no idea I was about to reconnect with something I truly loved. Photography was always something I enjoyed — something that made me feel grounded and creative — but somewhere along the way, life got busy and it slowly faded into the background. I didn’t stop caring about it, but it just stopped being part of my routine.
The trip came together last minute for me. My sister had booked it through Goodmate, and I decided to join her. Before we left, she said, “You should bring your camera,” and I thought, _Maybe I should_ . I packed it, but honestly, I didn’t think I’d actually use it. Part of me was scared to — like I wasn’t sure I still had it in me. But after we landed and I met everyone, something about the environment, the people, the energy… it made me want to pick it up again. I thought, _What’s the worst that could happen if I captured a few images?_ The next day, I started taking photos — and I couldn’t stop.
At first, it was just a few shots here and there — nothing serious. But once I started, something shifted. I found myself reaching for my camera constantly. I was capturing the little things — conversations, movement, moments that felt real. It just felt normal to me, like something I’d always done. And with every photo, I felt like I was reconnecting with a part of myself I hadn’t felt in a long time.
By the end of the trip, I sent over 1,000 edited photos. When I shared them with the group after we got home, it felt good to pass along those memories. The responses I received reminded me how powerful photography can be — not just for me, but for others too.
That trip gave me more than memories. It gave me clarity, confidence, and the push I didn’t even know I needed. It made me want to capture these moments not just for myself, but for everyone — so they could look back and remember the memories, the laughter, and the adventures they took part in.
A few months later, I launched ‘Sam Snapshots’ Starting a business was scary, but this time, it felt different — it felt real. I wouldn’t be here without that trip, the people I met, and the gentle nudge from my sister.
Sometimes, all it takes is a change of place, a group of good people, and a little spark to find your way back to something you love. I'm grateful I got to meet Goodmate and that they were part of that spark for me.
