We posted new work on www.zavesmith.com
Enjoy!
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Friday, February 11, 2011
It is almost an act of murder. In order to grow you often have to kill off the very things that have made you successful, in the first place.
At first I tried to understand and follow the marketplace. This was reasonably successful. But I was not after being reasonable. Besides, who was willing to pay for a cheaper imitation of the latest trend?
After ten years of some success at being a generic photographer, I started to become bored. I then started to put my craziness back into my work. I let go of the food and the products that had made my pay and started photographing shadows, kids, old people and even twenty-something cute girls. My only criterion was to make pictures that made me smile.
I used to get a lot of assignments that started with a layout. “Here, photographer, create a photograph that looks like this.” That is what I was paid for. Now I get assignments like, “Come down to Mardi Gras for a week and see what happens.” Or when Capital One called and ask me to spend some time photographing several small business clients of theirs in Dallas and in New York. No layouts, few directions, “Go see what’s there and bring us home something wonderful that captures the real life of our clients.”
I have learned that my best work, the work that makes my client’s smile is the work that happens when I let go. When I forget all the preconceived notions of what they want or what an “advertising” photograph should look like and I just react to what I see, I create photographs that sell.
Kill the concept and create a killer photograph.
Sincerely,
Zave Smith
Monday, January 17, 2011
Monday, January 3, 2011
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Advice to a New Photographer
| News Flash! The Photography Industry is not dead. It is not even dying. Good photographers, with good business and marketing skills are earning good money every day in every niche of this industry. It is not easy. It is not fair. If you want to be a fashion photographer and you live in Montana, forget it. But if you can match your skills to the needs of your area and if you know how to market yourself, you can make it. I have been working full time as a photographer since 1982. I can honestly tell you that each year, in fact almost every month, some photographer laments that the gig is up. They are right it was up for them but not for others. I will say that starting out in this industry is not for the faint of heart or those who need lots of cash flow right away. Like the music industry or being a professional athlete few, very few will make it and even fewer will rise to the top. So how to start? I would suggest that you make a list of photographers whose work and career you admire. Then I would camp out at their doors. When they say go away, I would go away for a week and camp out again. I would do this over and over again until somebody gives me a break and lets me in. I would not ask for money. I would fine a way to support myself during the night or better yet, on weekends. I would just hang out and learn as much as possible. Do this long enough, a year or so, and you will know what your next step is. It is a very hard road and it might not be for you. That's ok. In twenty years of running my own studio. I have seen assistants’ come and go. Only one as made it to the ranks of being a true professional photographer and supporting himself well. You might be better off with a career in web design or information technology and just enjoying photographing for its pure pleasure. If a professional career is what you seek then follow the road to the brightest doors. People like to blame the demise of Photographic Profession on digital cameras. They say it makes it to easy to take a decent picture. Has anyone noticed how word processors have made a dent in the book business? Has anyone noticed that having the latest version of Word makes people better writers? I am not saying it’s easy, it never was. But, it is still doable if you have the talent, the discipline, the ambition and the people skills. A little luck also helps. Sincerely, Zave Smith | |
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Monday, November 29, 2010
Monday, September 27, 2010
CEO portrait
One of the most difficult assignments is the CEO portrait. Many CEOs are shy, not exactly handsome and usually very stiff in front of a camera. Here is one from a recent shoot. I guess I got lucky.
Sincerely,
Zave Smith
Children with Cancer
Sincerely,
Zave Smith
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Sincerely,
Zave Smith
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Thursday, August 19, 2010
The Wisconsin Farm Project
Back in 1982 I did a series of photographs on the Fecter Family Farm in West Bend, Wisconsin. Today I had to revisit these images for a client. I had not looked at them in twenty years but they still bring a smile to my face.
Sincerely,
Zave Smith
Monday, June 28, 2010
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Nouns, Adjectives or Verbs?
Lately I have been wondering if my photographs are nouns, adjectives or Verbs?
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Thursday, June 3, 2010
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Friday, May 21, 2010
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Treme
I am a fan of David Simon and the crew that did the "Wire" and now has "Treme" on HBO. Here is a collection of images from the part of New Orleans:
Also check out the excellent site about the show: http://treme-jazz.com/
Enjoy!
Monday, April 5, 2010
Charlestown
While walking down the path of life it is a good idea to keep your eyes on the road every once in a while.
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
A Story Like No Other
GMc Advertising of New Orleans announced today the update of the new African American Heritage Trail website. Great story, great site, great photography by me.
Enjoy!
Sincerely,
Zave Smith
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
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
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