Meet Christopher Smith | Photographer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Christopher Smith and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Christopher, what habits do you feel helped you succeed?
A dogged determination to succeed. I didn’t fit into the get up, go to the same job every day for 40 years, get married, have kids and then retire at 65-67… It just wasn’t something I saw myself doing.. I hate routine. I left school with a strong feeling that I wanted something different..
My biggest habit is that I must do something productive every day. I feel truly guilty that I have wasted the day if I haven’t achieved something. This drives my wife mad! She says I cannot relax and I guess I cannot.. I must be doing something to say to my inner-Psychi “it has been a good day, I have achieved something by doing something.

It helps that I am extremely organized. I have a portfolio of 50,000 pics and I sell them regularly to magazines through stock photo agencies, I know every picture and have even jumped out of my seat and shouted, “that’s my picture” when they have come up on Jeopardy!

I have owned a camera since I was five years old, so I guess my one habit is to always have a camera on hand, the camera is an extension of my arm!

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I am a photographer, a full-time photographer since 1990. My track record sets me apart from others in that I have worked in England and here in the USA. I have traveled and shot photos for magazines in Europe, lugged around medium format and 35mm cameras and loved every minute of it.. I don’t see myself as different from any other photographer because I am no wedding photographer, I don’t do portraits, It’s not my speciality and for that I respect them for their skills. I don’t shoot pics of every genre, I am not a “jack of all trades, master of none”. I am good at what I do because I now my strengths, plus it’s not a job for me, its a passion and remarkably, people give me money to do what I love! I feel truly blessed and grateful for the life I have.

It hasn’t always been easy and I have done many different little jobs to keep the bills paid and the 35mm/120 film fridge filled! I have cut grass, done hard landscaping, put bathrooms in, delivered cars… all for one reason, to keep my dream alive..

What I want the World to know is; when you hire me, Chris L Smith – csfotoimages, you don’t get a guy who is just doing a job, you are buying a part of me that gives 100% to the job, is most interested in making you happy with what you have bought. When I leave with a check in my hand, it has been given with true gratitude for a job well done. That’s my brand – Quality.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Places to Visit: Tucson – Old Tucson film studios – walk the same dust as John Wayne, Pima Air and Space Museum for a selection of the biggest planes ever made,
San Xavier Mission for a bit of history,
The Titan Missile Museum for a sobering look at what might have happened during the cold
war and how crazy sabre rattling nearly caused WW3 and possibly the end of the World.
Williams – the last real part of Route 66,
Winslow – The Eagles
The Grand Canyon and finally to see London Bridge at Lake Havasu

Food…. Well this is Arizona so it has to be Mexican food…
Los Betos for a breakfast Bacon Burrito – the best one of this chain is on Valencia by the airport…
El Sur for a traditional Mexican evening meal of rice and beans, enchilladas and mexican beer!
Tucson is a city of gastronomic delights for every pallet…
Tai food is one of my favorites so a visit to Bai Thong on Speedway in Tucson.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I have to credit my parents. My mother was always there for me as I grew up and if I needed someone to listen to my worries, my doubts, she was there with an ear and some words of advice. My father instilled into me a strong work ethic. He always said If you believe in something and you want it enough you will find the way to reach that goal. Never let anyone put you down with harsh words or plant seeds of doubt. My Father always told me to believe in myself, see in your mind where you want to be every tens years… They both passed away in 2006, but I always have their words and love in my head and heart. I also have to credit my wife. She supports me and believes in me. I have doubts like everyone, little wobbles, she is always there for me… She says she loves me and is proud of my hard work and determination… she is my rock.

Website: www.csfotoimages.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/csfotoimages/?hl=en

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopher-l-smith-b9a863226/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/csfotoimagescom

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@csfotoimages9621

Image Credits
Images by Chris L Smith