Born in the small Southern tourist trap of Myrtle Beach, SC, Scott grew up surrounded by neon lights, short shorts, low-rider trucks and tacky t-shirt stores. He found little appeal in these local institutions of cool, however. Instead, he became involved in skateboarding and rock-and-roll. Though he didn't know it at the time, when he started attending shows in 1992 he was on his way to making his passion his profession.
Scott took his first photography class his junior year of high school. That semester he photographed Pennywise and Offspring, unaware that 10 years later he would be professionally shooting another of Epitaph's up and comers. None of theses early photos came out well as he didn't take photography seriously at the time.
Upon graduating high school in 1995, Scott started attending the local technical college part time, still unsure of what he really wanted to do with his life. He continued to attend shows, searching for a way to be a contributor to the music scene and not just a spectator. Buying a cheap Canon Rebel in the winter of 1998-99, he hit the road with a friend's band, Index for Potential Suicide. While on tour, Scott photographed Saetia, You and I, Converge and Dillenger Escape Plan. Scott hasn't stopped taking pictures since that tour.
In the last few years, Scott had the pleasure of photographing bands such as Orchid, The Oath, XbXrX, and The Locust. He persisted in getting his work known by sending bands countless photographs.
Looks like it's paid off. Scott now photographs for 31G Records, Skyscraper magazine, and was a featured photographer in the August 2003 photo blowout issue of Alternative Press. Though rock-and-roll is his first love in regards to photography, he also shoots fashion and commercially for 803 productions, a full service advertising agency in his hometown. Through the agency, his work appears in print advertisements, brochures catalogs and specialty magazines.
SCOTT SMALLIN
Click HERE to view Scott's official website.