Today we’d like to introduce you to Lydia Smith.
Hi Lydia, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I started my photography journey like anyone else… sneaking away with my parent’s camera and taking hundreds of photographs of my dog, flowers or bugs. I moved up to Minneapolis from Rochester, where I attended Minneapolis Community and Technical College. There I learned how to create interesting and creative images of things that I found around me. Finding myself spending hours in the school’s darkroom, constantly watching how light falls on subjects, and finding ways to manipulate that light. I learned the technical skills needed to create beautiful images. I found lifelong friends and mentors through those years, and continue to do so as my place in the field grows.
I began pushing my boundaries as to what I could make, and really working on getting out of the usual routine and comfort zone. Just taking my camera wherever, whether that’s road trips, or on walks around the neighborhood, or taking photos of friends roller skating, or even to shoot weddings or concerts. It was important to challenge the structure that was taught through school, and to allow creativity to flow into everything. Now, I adore taking every opportunity to take my photos, and who I am, further, and to welcome criticism and feedback as much as praise and compliments.
This passion has blossomed into a career where I get to create beautiful and empowering images that capture the essence and souls of those around me.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The road has been rough, but that has been the case for everyone the last few years. Starting in the photography industry is usually pretty hard. It’s usually lots of rejection, lots of work. Working 2-3 jobs to pay for life and school. The work, school and life balance is always challenging. However, I have been very fortunate to have had incredible support from my friends and family to keep going and persevering.
A challenge but also a gift was honestly dealing with my ADHD. It’s been something that had made going through school very difficult. Deadlines, time management, and keeping a regular schedule was a nightmare. It took years and years for me to learn how to navigate tasks that took most people significantly less time. Constantly seeing how much more effort I had to put in to get a fraction of what came so easily to other people. That quickly manifested into anxiety and depression. Struggling with maintaining deadlines, making friends, and finding a way to drag myself out of bed to simply take a shower. My first try at school didn’t go well. I initially tried to pursue other careers. Fighting my own creative instinct to get a job that would for sure keep a roof over my head. Well, it’s safe to say that that didn’t work out. I moved back in with my parents distraught and feeling hopeless. Watching my friends succeed and do really well at school, while feeling totally left behind. Why is it that they could “just sit down and do the work” when I couldn’t. I picked up some jobs and I decided to take a film photography class at my local community college. Feeling that budding of passion. I did a few years there, then decided to move up to Minneapolis and try at their community college. Telling myself that if it doesn’t work out I’m going to drop out and live out of my car and become a nomad and live off the land. Which isn’t a bad option. I was honestly hoping for that to work out. But then I stepped into the studio, met my instructors, started shooting and started playing with light. And I realized this is where I thrive.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am a photographer! I like to dabble in lots of kinds of photography like food, portraits, events, my friends and I roller skating, and I LOVE to assist photographers on their own shoots. You learn so much by watching other people work and people in this community are so supportive and brilliant. However, my passion is in portraiture. Most specifically boudoir. I love watching clients start the process and over the course of a few hours grow in confidence. There is nothing more rewarding. Something that my clients say is that I obviously look like I love what I do. I dance around as I am taking photos, and it helps people feel more comfortable and more candid in front of the camera.
Are there any books, apps, podcasts or blogs that help you do your best?
Watching how other photographers work is the best way for me to learn technical things. Everyone lights and poses differently! Youtube is another great resource, I personally love watching Lindsay Adler and her books are also incredibly helpful. The best advice I received was from a good friend and mentor, to always to just keep taking photos.
Contact Info:
- Email: lydiasmith.mn.photo@gmail.com
- Website: lydiasmithphoto.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lydiasmith.photo/
Image Credits
John Haynes (main photo)
Lydia Smith
