ERIN O. SMITH PHOTOGRAPHY

"We photographers deal in things which are continually vanishing. And when they have vanished, there is no contrivance on Earth that can make them come back again. We cannot develop and print a memory."  ~ Henri Cartier-Bresson

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Although it's not possible to print and develop a memory, I spend my time trying to stop moments in time through a camera lens that make up memories. The work I do allows me to spend time with people on their best days and also on their worst days, and both are equally important and rewarding to be a part of.

I am a photojournalist who does a lot of tinkering in other things related to the journalism and graphic design fields. I am a visual journalism graduate from Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication at the University of Georgia. I also received a certificate in education psychology and instructional technology, a certificate in new media and a minor in Spanish.

 

Currently, I work as a photographer at Vanderbilt University Medical Center as a photographers in the department of News and Communications alongside two other photographers producing photos for several VUMC News & Communications publications (the Reporter, Voice, Momentum, Hope and Vanderbilt Medicine), various other VUMC websites and publications, as well as some external publications when photos are requested by outside media.

Previously, I was a staff photographer at the Chattanooga Times Free Press. I worked alongside three other photographers and a chief photographer to produce visuals for online and print editions of the newspaper as well as several magazine publications and special sections. When needed, I stepped into the roll of chief photographer making sure assignments were divided among the photo staff, pulled photos from Associated Press and other news wires, ensured photographs produced by the staff or contributed from an outside source were ready for designers, and uploaded all photos produced by the staff to make them available for purchase.

 

Prior to Chattanooga, I worked for 2.5 years as a staff photographer at The Times. A small daily paper located in Gainesville, Georgia. I was one of two staff photographers to produce visuals for our print, online and magazine publications that covered primarily Hall County with some coverage of the bordering counties, including Gwinnett, Dawson, Jackson, Lumpkin, Forsyth, Banks, Habersham and White counties.

Before graduating, I had opportunity of being a photo intern at the Chattanooga Times Free Press where I worked alongside a dedicated group of staff photographers to produce visuals for the daily print and online publications. As part of the photo staff, I was also responsible for seeking out and producing several multimedia pieces over the course of the six months.

While at UGA, I served as a staff photographer at the Red & Black newspaper, which is an independent student newspaper serving the UGA community. Through the Red & Black, I had the opportunity to cover UGA sporting events, the BB&T Atlanta Open, AthFest, the Terrapin Twilight Criterium, 2013 SEC Football Media Days and other weekly events required for the online and print publication. I also had the opportunity to serve as photo editor for a semester and collaborate with a fantastic group of editors to produce a weekly paper. 

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I also held the position of co-chief photographer for InfUSion Magazine, UGA's first multicultural magazine, and have produced photos and articles for UGAzine, another UGA student-magazine. InfUSion is produced once a semester, while UGAzine is published twice a semester. Both have online components.

I enjoy sports (playing, watching, taking pictures, etc.), learning new techy/geeky computer things, goofing off with friends, pretending I'm an artist, playing music a little too loud and taking pictures, of course. I love to travel to other countries and experience new cultures, but I can never stay away from my southern roots for too long.

If you want to know more, feel free to send me an email me here!