Simon Edward Smith was born in the middle sixties , in the East Midlands area of the United Kingdom . He was raised on a middle class council housing estate , in Loughborough Leicestershire . He was the only boy of three children to his mother Peggy and Father Len .
Simon's interest in photography began in the late seventies , while at school . If you were to ask Simon what made him choose photography as a subject , he would say " It was the girls and the Darkroom " and nothing to do with photography . He left school in 1980 and followed his fathers wishes , and enrolled in HMF The Parachute Regiment . Simon was a young promising footballer , who played at Senior level at the age of 13 .
" Ready for anything "
A specialized ingredient , with all my photographic commissions .
Simon served several years in the army and achieved Rank , as well as Captaining the regiments soccer side . His career came to it's end when he suffered a serious spinal injury , which led to him being discharged . He found himself in civilian life with little prospects . He decided to try and regain his fitness and pursue is football dream . Simon's injury was that serious that it resulted in him being awarded a War Veterans Pension . He went on to play football at a high amateur and semi professional level . He finally hung up his boots at the age of 35 , due to tired legs and repetitive Lumbar problems . During his first 18 years of adult life he continued to take photographs , with a Boots 110 instamatic film camera .
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How it began !
In 1998 at a time of personal troubles , upset and health problems , Simon's love affair with photography began , and resulted in him purchasing his first SLR camera , a Canon Eos 500 N . Several months later he rented his first Studio and went on to secure his first real commission soon after . Simon still rents the first studio he occupied today and considers it to be his foundation and second home .
Qualifications
Simon strongly believes that qualifications in photography , are just another string to his bow . He would also say that they do not make you a better photographer for having them . However he now realises after nearly a decade as a professional , they are a must have , if you are going to pursue a professional photographic career . Over the years Simon as earned several City n Guilds and achieved the highest of qualifications which is Professional Craftsman Photographer .
Sharing Knowledge
Simon as no issues when it comes to sharing his photographic knowledge and business experience , with other photographer's . This is most evident with the recent launching of his Photography Forum and Photographic Stock Image Library . If you were to say to Simon " you must have some trade secrets " his reply would be " my only guarded secret , his my professional wedding packages " Simon is with out doubt one of the United Kingdoms , most respected photographer's and leading professional wedding photographer's . However he is under no illusions , that what he as accomplished to date , can be demolished in the blink of the eye . Simon believes that his journey in the world of photography as only just begun .
Simon's Armoury
A selection of his beloved professional cameras with professional glass lenses , loaded with quality professional film / emulsion .
The most treasured tool of his trade is the camera support ' his left hand ' which allows him to hand hold his camera and shoot at 1/60 of a second . Regarded as a true sign of a professional photographer .
Thanks
If you were to ask Simon to describe is love of photography , in a few sentences , he would reply . " Dedication is the route to success " " Aperture is a beautiful thing , it allows us to see the world we live in " " Seeing through a photographer's eyes , is a totally different experience "
Simon would like to thank his partner for her support and love . He would also like to thank his fellow photographer's from around the world , for there kind words and positive outlook , in this ever more demanding and continually changing industry .
Finally Simon would like to thank past and present client's for there valued business and photographic expectations , which is Simon's motivation ........
" Use a professional always , don't risk it "