Romanticising the Everyday: Visual Storytelling
Australia, let me put you onto @Sam Youkilis - if you haven’t been already.
In an era of over-curated content, influencer models and the same promotions daily. A breathe of fresh air comes through via Youkilis’ eye.
Youkilis is a renowned visual storyteller and has built a following by capturing authentic, everyday moments through a refined, artistic lens.
Blending elements of street photography, travel photography, and cinematic storytelling, Youkilis’ images reflect a slower and more intentional way of living. I think the most appealing part is that his shots are never set up. An eye for raw beauty.
I was drawn to his page a few years ago and every single time I see him come up on my feed I promise you the world slows down for a bit.
It’s a bit of an ‘Ok everybody shutup now, let me concentrate, Youkils just posted and it’s on my feed.’
Credit: Sam Youkilis (Of course)
His short clips are everything and more to me, I sometimes attempt to follow in his footsteps but there can only be one Sam Youkilis.
"Beautiful things are happening around us all of the time, and my work is often the result of trying to pay attention to these things or waiting for them to happen,"
Youkilis said in an interview with BBC.
I think what I love the most about Sam is his lifestyle, he splits his time between Mexico City and Umbria. Beyond that, Youkilis is always traveling (and capturing the poetry of everyday life).
Capturing moments that make you feel like you’re physically there.
Most people idolise celebrity collaborations, although, everytime I see Youkilis alongside the Minchilli clan I get so excited.
That’s pretty much the same thing?
Credit: Sam Youkilis
Writing this piece up, I’ve noticed we all have a similar train of thought:
“Does anybody know how Sam Youkilis shoots and edits his video on iPhone?” r/Phoneography @shwarmaandhummus via Reddit.
“HE USES AN IPHONE???? holy. i just followed him recently, his work is sooo beautiful and inspiring” r/Phoneography @fuckemupbuttercup via Reddit
“Ugh I’ve literally been wanting to figure this out for the longest time myself!” r/Phoneography @Fit-Bery-2838 via Reddit
Another question I was dying to know and Youkilis answered in an interview with Interview Magazine in 2023.
How does Youkilis go about approaching the natural models in his content?
The response of a gentleman below:
“I know that there’s no reason for me to ask someone to take a picture that might imply their humiliation. And if they see me and want to talk to me about why I did that, I’m happy to talk to them a little bit about my practice. More often than not, they’re like, “Oh, that’s really funny. Leave it. It doesn’t matter.” But another big part of my practice is actually making friends, communicating with people, building trust and making work that’s about breaking this barrier between strangers. And in these cases, I’m asking and explaining.”
It’s no secret that Youkilis has collaborated with some big names, there’s also a second printing of his photographic works available for $73.25.
You’d be absolutely crazy not to.
“Somewhere” by Sam Youkilis
Sincerely,
An avid fan.
