My name is Samantha Bakall. I’m a freelance journalist specializing in diversity-based food issues, a food/lifestyle stylist, and BIPOC model.
Photo by Zoe Ching
After moving to Portland to work at The Oregonian as the state’s only staffed food writer of color from 2013-2018, I started freelance writing, copywriting and tackling editorial strategy. In 2020, I expanded my work into lifestyle and food styling, and modeling.
Writing
I specialize in travel and diversity-based food issues, predominantly about Asian Americans in the Pacific Northwest. My work has been published in The Oregonian, Eater, The San Francisco Chronicle, Travel Oregon, The Takeout, Thrillist, Travel Portland, Resy, USA Today and more.
Styling
After solely focusing on food writing and photography for nearly a decade, I started styling food and lifestyle photoshoots during the pandemic. The most recent companies I’ve styled for include Parachute, Smith Teamaker, Aplat, Vein of Gold, Upper Left Roasters and Holt Homes.
Modeling
Alongside styling, I started modeling for local brands during the pandemic. Click here for recent client work.
Photo by Zoe Ching