The photographer responsible for some of our most popular cards crossed paths with our founder & creative director back in 2014. They were both on the same ocean pathway outside Jodee’s apartment on Miami Beach — Jodee was looking down at her dog, while Sammy was looking up trying to spot the palm trees that she’d heard were growing on a nearby hotel rooftop — when they literally bumped into each other. Sammy said, “Can you tell me which way to the Grand Beach?” to which Jodee teased, “Well, good morning to you, too!”
Sammy apologized profusely and explained that she was not rude, just preoccupied! She was a photographer on a mission. Always on the lookout for great photography, Jodee said she completely understood, then they both laughed — for the next hour! — and, well, have not stopped enjoying each other’s company yet. :) The two quickly learned they shared a strong interest in the arts and travel and nature and an appreciation for the sea, especially. In the years since, Jodee has come to admire so much about Sammy: Her great talent in photography, certainly, and overall zest for life.
Sammy Sasson captured by her also-talented husband Mickey.
Smadar (aka Sammy) Sasson was born and raised in Israel and toured Europe in the Israeli Children’s Choir before her two years of compulsory service in the Israeli Army starting at 18. She married her college sweetheart two decades ago, and looks at him the same way today. Sammy and Mickey have traveled and sailed and lived all over the world — and, as much as she enjoys his company, she’s also quite happy in her own.
Truth be told, Jodee envies all the pages in Sammy’s passport, and would love to go all the places she’s been and see them through the eyes of this gifted photographer. So she asked Sammy to share with our Cardie community some of her best travel memories.
Sammy exploring Antelope Canyon
“When I’m asked about my travels,” Sammy said, “the list gets very long, very quickly. Yearly, I travel back to Israel with all its special historic sites, notably Masada mountain in the Israeli desert. The site is famous for the tough battle that the Jewish people fought on top of the mountain against the Romans. On one of my visits, I left my hotel very early in the wee hours and, reaching the mountain, climbed the snake path to the top, reaching it just in time for a glorious sunrise over the Dead Sea.
“Last year I traveled to Valencia, Spain, to take a week-long photography intensive; while there, I stayed with a local family so I could improve my Spanish. Every day while there I would walk over to the City of Arts and Sciences. A modern complex of culture, science and, above all, its amazing architecture. Designed by Santiago Calatrava, it is an absolute feast for the eyes just waiting to be captured!
“I loved travelling by boat in Southern Chile, leaving from Punta Arenas at the southern tip of Patagonia and heading to the special glaciers named ‘blue ice.’ The boat crew caught fresh fish for us along the way and we were toasting every day with Pisco Sour.
“Australia is always a special treat. Bush camping in Kakadu National Park where we traced some aboriginal art works in nature and stayed alert for any sounds of threatening wildlife. And getting up for sunrise to watch the surfers arriving at Bondi Beach.
“So much more …
The villages and markets around Lake Atitlan in Guatemala
Tango in Buenos Aires
Carnival in Barranquilla, Columbia
Music in the streets of Havana
Sailing and swimming around Tortola in the British Virgin Islands
The Greek Islands, Paros & Lesbos. Such joie de vivre.
Driving Italy’s Amalfi coast
Boating around the San Juan Islands
Watching wildlife in Denali Park in Alaska and Yellowstone
Skiing in different beautiful mountain resorts in the West of the USA. And always returning to the wonderful Pacific Northwest, Portland and Seattle with its hiking trails and waterfalls.
“I am so blessed,” Sammy acknowledges, “and want to go to so many new destinations — for my soul, but mainly for my camera :-)”
Sammy’s latest claim to fame is having one of her images selected by the Guggenheim on Instagram. The cards featuring her photos are shown below, and you may view as well as purchase many more of her amazing images via smadarphotoart.com.
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