We had the good fortune of connecting with Sarah Samira Yancey and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Sarah Samira, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking.
I think about risk as something that’s necessary if you want to move forward. For me, some of the biggest shifts in my life have come from taking chances that felt uncomfortable in the moment. Moving from Germany to LA in 2014 was a huge risk. I left my entire life behind, didn’t know anyone in the U.S., and had to start from zero. Later, during the pandemic, I quit my full-time job as a Creative Director to go independent. That was another leap into the unknown, but I knew if I didn’t take it, I’d stay stuck in the same place.

More recently, I launched my new creative company, LITEWERK Studio that I now run from Las Vegas. I could’ve kept things comfortable, but I knew there was so much more opportunity and potential for what I could grow.

Even though I love collaborating and working with people, I’m not naturally the most extroverted, so putting myself out there used to feel like a challenge at times. But I’ve learned that growth usually lives on the other side of risk. For me, it’s always a balance of asking myself what’s the consequence if I do this, and what’s the consequence if I don’t. More often than not, the “scarier” option has been the one that’s led to the most progress.
I try to keep that in mind whenever I feel hesitant to take the next step.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I just launched LITEWERK Studio, which really feels like the result of everything I’ve learned along the way. My career started over a decade ago when I moved from Germany to LA, with the goal of growing as much as possible. I was lucky to work alongside incredibly talented people who pushed me, and I was thrown into a fast-paced world of design, animation, photography, and video. It was very much a “sink or swim” moment, and I realized quickly that discipline and resilience matter just as much as raw talent.

Over the years, I’ve worked across fashion, beauty, entertainment, and music, both in-house as a designer and creative director, and independently with brands and artists. Having that mix of experience helps me understand both sides: the structure and strategy brands need, and the vulnerability and passion that artists put into their work.
When I collaborate with artists, I know how deeply personal their projects are, and I approach it with the respect and care it deserves.
That mindset is really at the core of LITEWERK Studio. For me, it’s never about forcing a certain look or style, it’s about listening and helping bring my client’s vision to life. Especially with artists, I know how overwhelming it can be to think about all the visuals, assets, and marketing pieces that go along with a project. We step in to take some of that weight off their shoulders so they can focus on the creative side, while we help guide the rest.
At the end of the day, I want the work to feel honest and aligned with whoever I’m working with. It’s not just about making something that looks good on the surface, it’s about creating visuals that actually connect and tell the story in the right way.

The biggest lessons I’ve learned? Stay disciplined, stay curious, and don’t let perfectionism stop you from experimenting. Self-doubt and challenges are always part of the process, but the best way I’ve found to push through is by showing up consistently and putting in the work.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
First off, I have to shout out my family. They’ve supported me in everything I do, even when I made the decision to move to the other side of the world, which I know hasn’t been easy for any of us. Their encouragement means everything.
My husband also deserves a big shoutout because he has always believed in me, encouraged me, and trusted me with his own projects.

I’m really grateful for my friends too, who cheer me on through every stage, and of course my clients who put their trust in me and allow me to bring their visions to life. That trust truly motivates me to keep growing and pushing myself creatively.

I also want to shoutout Grand Jeté in LA. Working in such a creative environment taught me so much and really set the tone for how I approach my work today.

Website: https://litewerkstudio.com

Instagram: @sarahsamira, @litewerkstudio

Other: IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm7196346/?ref_=ext_shr_lnk

Image Credits
All images by Sarah Samira Yancey.

Artists captured in Images: Illa J, Ash Walker, Jaywalk and The Cadillacs, Daru Jones, Kid Gotti, Madness Maddi, Vivian

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutLA is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.