We were lucky to catch up with Victoria Smith recently and have shared our conversation below.
Victoria, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Can you talk to us about serving the underserved.
The underserved community my photo entrepreneurship helps is saving the dogs of LA Animal Care Centers. Whether it be finding a foster and linking with a rescue, or build awareness by promoting on Nextdoor urgent dogs for adoption, its is a passion and obsession. There is also fundraising, transportation, adoption event producing, and championing fosters.
Unfortunately, California is a high-kill state operating a lot like animal processing centers rather than Animal Care Centers. Many shelters holding dogs for only 30 days before they are given a 72hr notice of impending death. If they are not rescued or adopted within 72hrs, they are killed for space. These are healthy, adoptable dogs; puppies, pregnant mothers, trained, obedient, beautiful. And Cats have the least chance of making it out alive. The public by and large has no idea of these policies.
The animals are further underserved due to lack of funding (and less funding this year thanks to Mayor Karen Bass slashing the budget to pay for city lawsuits) and plain sociopath bureaucratic corruption.
For the citizens who volunteer to do the job employees don’t, it feels like a bottomless pit. This could be curved if the county revoked all dog breeding licenses and seized approving breeder applications until out far of the crisis, meanwhile enforcing spay and neuter laws, and subsiding spay and neuter procedures to a nominal amount. But they don’t do it. Those in charge seem to not resonate with animals and have completely lost the gaze of the departments ethos.
My photography helps fund this work in this cause. The more I discovered about the system, the more I wasn’t able to look away. We truly are their only voice and hope.
Victoria, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
I have been taking photographs since kindergarten when I was given a 110 film camera and have worked as a professional free-lance photographer since my career started in 2001. From New York to San Francisco, through Europe, Nashville and landing in Laurel Canyon in Los Angeles. A teacher once told us, ‘You’ll have 3 careers by 40’. I’ve just had the one.
In my image making of people I appreciate candor, honest display of spirit and to play. I have shot artists and people and things all over the world for magazines, festivals, record labels, book projects and because I was there.
If you’re freelance, keeping a routine of work even when you’ve ‘finished’ is important to keep your train on track. Being imbalanced with a penciled daily work hours schedule give way to production lulls. Feel your freedom and be true to a work schedule. There is always something to do.
In my past, I was honored with May 18th being named Rock Star Photographer Day in San Francisco by the then Mayor, Gavin Newsom.
I had been named ‘Photographer of the Year’ by 7×7 Magazine. Working with Phil Cushway, I photographed 49 African American Civil Rights Poets for a book published by Norton Books “Of Poetry and Protest: From Emmett Till to Trayvon Martin”.
In Dublin Ireland, I got to run Jim Sweeney’s photo studio for some years before returning to the states to put together a book of my rock n roll photos.
Finally, I have an archivist working at my house full-time scanning and organizing my works since 1999 to get these projects on track for output!
I am also proud and think I was good to seek out mentors and friends that I felt a connection with such as Baron Wolman, Jim Marshall, Robert Altman, Michael Zagaris, Chet Helms and Henry Diltz.
My passion lies in capturing people in a light they appreciate. Where they see themselves, and see themselves how I see them, through my rose colored glasses, capturing a moment for all time. This applies to how I shoot artists, models, professionals and everybody under the sun. I want to breeze in and out. Painless and fun. Capturing the spirit to share.
I am an easy and experienced traveler weather it be first class to Paris or trekking 25miles and 3500ft up a mountainside with 40lbs on my bag. I love to go.
What’s been the best source of new clients for you?
Word of mouth. As it has always been for me. I call it vine swinging.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
The freedom. Getting a pass to not have to conform.
Contact Info:
- Website: VictoriaSmithPhoto
- Instagram: @VictoriaSmithPhoto
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/bigvicsmith
- Other: https://wwnorton.com/books/9780393352733
Image Credits
All photos by Victoria Smith: Chris Martin of Coldplay, Jay Z, James Smith, Keely King, Julian Casablancas, Madison Brown, Glastonbury festival goers and Bowie the kittie.