WTF!
Sincerely,
Zave Smith
Monday, December 7, 2009
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Self Portrait
This could be my self portrait if I was only young and cute. But it is how I am feeling today.
Sincerely,
Zave Smith
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Crossroads
I had the wonderful experience of meeting and photography some amazing young adults yesterday. A true testimony of life's sprite overcoming life's challenges
see the rest at: Crossroads
Sincerely,
Zave Smith
Monday, October 5, 2009
Thinking about retirement
From a shoot last week. This cracks me up. He has such a grown up look like he is thinking about his retirement.
Sincerely,
Zave Smith
Sincerely,
Zave Smith
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Thursday Night On South Broadway
Last Thursday evening I shot portraits of the creative people who attended Discrepo 2.
Here are my Favorites: Discrepo 2
Enjoy!
Zave Smith
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Monday, August 24, 2009
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Thursday, July 9, 2009
New Orleans
By all measures, New Orleans should be a sad city. It has suffered hurricanes, floods, high unemployment, racial strife and several visits from Homeland Security and the Army Corps of Engineers. Yet, it remains New Orleans, donning her best Sunday dress of joy, happiness and just plain fun. From the Balls and parades of Mardi Gras, and the clubs along Bourbon Street to the hole in the wall family restaurants in the neighborhoods, I have witnessed the joys of living triumph over the pains of life.
New Orleans is both one of America’s poorest cities and one of our wealthiest. It overflows with good food, great music and spirited people. Yet three plus years after Katrina material damage is still to be found.
During this trip, my assignment was to photograph the Creole to Soul Tour and The Essence Music Festival. In addition I was fortunate to spend a few hours in the Brad Pitt Green Home development too. In this Lower Ninth Ward neighborhood one home is finished, two more are almost completed. These homes are amazing. They are beautiful, comfortable, and have achieved the highest rating for being Green. Yet I walked away wondering why only three? Why are there not three hundred or three thousand of these low cost, totally cool new homes? They should be sprouting up like mushrooms in the humid climate of the Lower Ninth Ward.
I love New Orleans. Between the street cars, drunk tourists, amazing musicians, chefs who know how to turn an egg into a taste of heaven, and 300 year old French Quarter homes, lives a collection of ghosts and stories. For the price of a cheap beer and a sincere ear you can hear the most amazing tales. New Orleans, is an old oak, with deep roots and fresh new leaves every year.
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Monday, June 22, 2009
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Monday, May 11, 2009
Monday, April 27, 2009
America Is Waiting
America is waiting. We are hoping that our money supply will outlast the siege in our banking system. We are praying that while we are watching others fall around us, that through brilliance and willpower, "I" will one of the survivors.
The creative community is waiting. We are hoping that our corporate masters will realize that the only way to survive is to seduce America into buying their dreams and that we, the creative community are those masters of that seduction.
We are waiting for the leaders of industry to reclaim their passion. We are waiting for the bean counters that only know how to cut costs on the backs of others to step aside. We are waiting for those of us who dream of innovation, who dream of serving their customers, who know that only real way out of this morass is to reclaim the true passion of business which Is not only profit but most importantly customer satisfaction will be allowed reclaim the leadership of corporate America.
We got into this mess by putting short-term profit first. We started making cars that while profitable, but were not world class. We allowed our bankers to stop thinking about what was best for their customers but instead lend money to people who had no chance of repaying so that they could pocket their 3%. We created bureaucracies that rewarded blind obedience to rules and formula instead of service to our citizens. If America is going to climb out of this hole, and I fully believe we will, we will do it by reclaiming the mantel of service and leadership. We will become leaders when we put aside the lingo of self importance and dedicate ourselves not to next months profit margin but to building companies, institutions and brands that stand for more than making money but for truly serving our client’s needs.
I am tired of waiting. So tomorrow and each day after I will re-dedicate myself to my craft and to telling my client’s stories with all the passion and creativity that I have. If we all do this, if we all say enough of cost cutting and back room politics and re-dedicate ourselves to our customers, the waiting will soon be over.
Sincerely,
Zave Smith
www.zavesmith.com
The creative community is waiting. We are hoping that our corporate masters will realize that the only way to survive is to seduce America into buying their dreams and that we, the creative community are those masters of that seduction.
We are waiting for the leaders of industry to reclaim their passion. We are waiting for the bean counters that only know how to cut costs on the backs of others to step aside. We are waiting for those of us who dream of innovation, who dream of serving their customers, who know that only real way out of this morass is to reclaim the true passion of business which Is not only profit but most importantly customer satisfaction will be allowed reclaim the leadership of corporate America.
We got into this mess by putting short-term profit first. We started making cars that while profitable, but were not world class. We allowed our bankers to stop thinking about what was best for their customers but instead lend money to people who had no chance of repaying so that they could pocket their 3%. We created bureaucracies that rewarded blind obedience to rules and formula instead of service to our citizens. If America is going to climb out of this hole, and I fully believe we will, we will do it by reclaiming the mantel of service and leadership. We will become leaders when we put aside the lingo of self importance and dedicate ourselves not to next months profit margin but to building companies, institutions and brands that stand for more than making money but for truly serving our client’s needs.
I am tired of waiting. So tomorrow and each day after I will re-dedicate myself to my craft and to telling my client’s stories with all the passion and creativity that I have. If we all do this, if we all say enough of cost cutting and back room politics and re-dedicate ourselves to our customers, the waiting will soon be over.
Sincerely,
Zave Smith
www.zavesmith.com
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Monday, April 20, 2009
I want to be a teenager in love
These two models are a bit older than teens but that song kept playing in my head while shooting this delightful duo.
Enjoy!
Zave Smith
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Once in a While
I like to write and God knows I like to talk. But once in a while somebody says it better than I:
Vince Nelson
enjoy!
Vince Nelson
enjoy!
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
We Will Get Past This
If history teaches us one thing it is that the genius of America is that we will find a new way. We are a country of boundless energy. Together and as individuals we will find our way forward again. A recession like this one will reallocate a huge amount of our resources. The question for us, is where will I end up in this relocation? As artists we are often viewed as luxury. Nothing is further from the truth. For when a society convulses we need our artists to help us understand what we are going through and to give us hope. Art is hope and understanding.
Sincerely,
Zave Smith
www.zavesmith.com
Sincerely,
Zave Smith
www.zavesmith.com
Monday, March 9, 2009
The Cure
I have been at this for a while. There have been good years and there have been years where sleep came hard for worry.
I started my career in 1982, a year with a similar economic climate to this one with high unemployment and no optimism in the air. Like many of you here I am receiving a fair amount of resumes and young photographers asking for advice these days.
I was never one who buys the idea that it was “better back then” a career in the creative arts has always been a difficult choice. We who dedicate our lives to constant reinvention soon discover that we cannot always pull the next big thing out of our camera shaped hats. Our markets are not forgiving. Our markets always want the next big thing.
So what do you say to the next bright eyed recent photo grad with a huge heart, deep passions and a small camera? How do you find the right tone between follow your heart and watch your wallet? We all want it all; sex, money, power, sprite and the idea that you are saving the world. How do you let them know that while few have it all, with hard work many of us get to drink a bit from the cup of joy even during times where the oxygen seems to be leaving the room.
To those of you who are starting your careers, have faith, work hard and keep on creating images that are close to your heart.
Sincerely,
Zave Smith
www.zavesmith.com
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Throwing Stuff At People
Click Here For More Images From Mardi Gras 2009
After a weeklong orgy of food, music, stories, sore legs and photography I realized that Mardi Gras is not what I expected. I imagined Mardi Gras to be booze and bare breasts with thousands of people behaving badly. I have learned that Mardi Gras is a fun celebration that binds family and community together via tradition, stories and the sharing outrageous fun of the Mardi Gras parades.
One of my favorite memories from my childhood in Detroit was the Thanksgiving Day Christmas parade. Now imagine a city that has not one parade but dozens. Each parade has its unique roots and route. I watched in awe as dozens and dozens of marching bands and floats rode colorfully by. I watched in amazement has thousands of well behaved people lined the streets in a community wide celebration.
History tells us the in late 18 century France the aristocrats paraded around Paris tossing out food to the hungry peasants in honor of Mardi Gras. In New Orleans instead of food it is beads, umbrellas, stuff toys, fake coins and for the lucky few, a painted coconut.
Who knew it could be so much fun to dress up, drive around and throw stuff at people but fun is what Mardi Gras is about. I watched as kids from troubled neighborhoods reached out, screamed, and begged in delight for somebody to toss a bead their way. I saw the same child like joy in the VIP stands with the rich matrons of old money New Orleans.
In Mardi Gras, all in New Orleans becomes united by joy of an old tradition kept alive by sheer fun. Mardi Gras does not make sense until you live it and living it is definitely worth the trip.
More pictures on Monday.
Sincerely,
Zave Smith
www.zavesmith.com
Monday, February 23, 2009
As Seen In New Orleans-Mardi Gras 2009 Continued
For some more images from Saturday and Sunday:
Mardi Gras 3
Enjoy!
Sincerely,
Zave Smith
www.zavesmith.com
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Friday, February 20, 2009
Mardi Gras 2009
There is nothing more fun and challenging that an unusual assignment. Most of the time our shoots are sizable productions. We tend to work with large budgets, producers, stylists, models, and assistants. I am surrounded by our usual motley crew of people who I love, trust and help me execute my client’s dreams.
Today I am flying on my own. I have pared down my equipment from five to ten cases to a backpack. Today and for the coming week I will be masquerading as a photojournalist. I will be photographing a behind the scenes peek at Mardi Gras from an African American tradition. The pictures will be used to promote minority tourism for the State of Louisiana. There will be no set ups. I will photograph what I see as I participate in the balls, parades, music, food and mirth that is Mardi Gras.
I am not an event person. I usually stay away from crowds. Luckily for this trip it will be all first class with the gracious staff of Gmc advertising paving mine and my fellow journalist way.
Reading about the history of Mardi Gras, looking at newspaper articles and photographs one question keeps coming to my mind; Why? Mardi Gras is obviously a very expensive, time consuming orgy of color, food, drink, sex, and music. Who has the time? Who has the money? Who has the energy to dedicate this much effort to something so transient?
Sincerely,
Zave Smith
www.zavesmith.com
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