Today we’d like to introduce you to Bodhi Smith.
Bodhi, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
In June of 2011, I was going through a difficult transition time in my life and photography sort of found me, saved me, gave me a focus, literally. I took off on a trip to visit remote sections of California with a camera, a cooler, and my dog, I needed to be alone, soul-searching sort of trip… and I managed to capture some fascinating images of Racetrack Playa while in Death Valley. People saw them and instantly show an interest in purchasing some prints.
So I decided to make a real go at photography, and got a nice camera, and traveled about with a focus on capturing nature in ways my eyes see it. In the process, I discovered that I had a unique style, a way of seeing my surroundings differently than that of other photographers, and this was coming out in the body of my work. I consider myself as an impressionistic photographer, and it is a style from which I never waiver. It has become part of me because it always was a part of me.
Now, 7 years later, things have taken off and permit me to travel more and focus more on my craft. My photography has blossomed into an uncompromised vision of art that I feel flows through me, which I capture with my camera, and have the blessing of being able to share and enlighten people’s lives with my creations.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Honestly, never thought of the road as being smooth or of being full of challenges… I guess things have been mostly smooth, especially financially, as sales of my work have been steadily increasing each year so far… however, my biggest obstacle is usually myself, believing in the quality of my artwork, trying to quiet down all my self-doubt about whether or not my photography is as good as people seem to think it is…
But my path has been honest, forged by following my heart, following my love and passion of nature, my obsessions of the night sky and long exposures that create dreamy scenes… I am just happy and lucky to be able to see the world and share with others my adventures. I am honored that others value my work and my efforts.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Bodhi Smith Photography story. Tell us more about the business.
I am a professional fine art photographer. I sell my photography as image prints sublimated into metal, which can hang on walls as is, or in a specially created one-of-a-kind thematic frame. I am always flattered and blessed when a person wants to purchase one of my memories, an impression that began inside my mind, one that will be hanging on a wall in their life, bringing extra happiness into their world… and in doing so, this is such a beautiful compliment to my photography and such a great honor.
Landscapes in nature are my specialty, but occasionally I do some cityscapes, usually under bridges or piers. I am known for my focus on long exposure photography, with some of my images having some of the longest exposures in the world. My current obsession is shooting the stars in locations and methods never previously seen before.
But I always love to take impressions of waterfalls and beautiful trees being my other passions. If you look through my body of work, probably 3/4th of all my images are one of these three things.
I have a style all my own, I specialize in long exposure landscape photography, so anything moving will blur in my images. And as such, my images have a dreamy, sort of painting type quality to them. Big reason why I label myself as an Impressionist Photographer. I embrace blur in all of my photos, keeping only what I want you to focus on in the sharpest detail. I’m almost legally blind in my focus eye, so my art might be a subconscious expression of the way I actually see the world with my own eyes. And I think this unique style can be seen in my entire body of work over the years.
And what sets me apart from others is my dreamy impressionist style of my images, I am not a realist, I want to create impressions of dreamy feelings and emotions.
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
I have always been lucky to have my artwork noticed, and shared, and loved by other people. There is always luck in getting noticed by museums, publications, art dealers, and future clients. And the world of photography is changing right now so fast, and it is getting more and more competitive…
I am lucky to already have an established name and following of clients, Because now, I think going forward, it is going to become harder and harder for new talented photographers to establish themselves with such a current saturation of photography on the market and in mass media.
Pricing:
- Metal prints (no frame): Pricing is based on size of the metal print. Prices start at $222 for 12×18 and range upward to $5555 for enormous prints. Each print comes with a floating hanger to permit it to hang as it, unframed, beautifully on any wall.
- Metal prints (with frame): Prices begin at $333 for a framed 12×18 and range up to $4444… if it is a thematic frame created from my imagination, prices are usually a bit higher for the uniqueness of the frame
Contact Info:
- Website: http://www.bodhismith.com
- Phone: (619)318-9599
- Email: bodhismithphotography@gmail.com
- Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/bodhismith
- Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/Bodhi.Impressions
- Twitter: http://twitter.com/BodhiSmith1
- Other: http://www.pinterest.com/bodhismith
Getting in touch: SDVoyager is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
