Check Out Stacey Smith’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Stacey Smith. 

Hi Stacey, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’m Stacey Smith, Cincinnati lifestyle photographer and mom. My story starts with a small creative passion that slowly grew into my very own small business. I’ve always valued the simple, sweet moments in life, and photography became a way to preserve memories. My high school’s dark room is where my photography journey started. I then attended UC’s DAAP program, where I majored in Graphic Design, but my photography courses are what really piqued my interest. I started my career in design, but had a small side hustle of photographing friends and family. However, it was when my niece was born that I felt a calling to capture everything. I couldn’t put the camera down. Something about how fast little ones grow helped me to realize that I needed to shift careers. I felt a compelled to pursue photography full time. I officially became a licensed business one month before the pandemic shutdown the world. I was also pregnant with my first child, so the career change was extremely scary and the timing felt less than ideal. After the world started to open up, my business began to grow. I think families started to realize that time really is so precious and they wanted to document their lives. I’m continuing my education, always striving to provide my clients with the best possible experience. I take a lot of pride in photographing real-life in all it’s beautiful chaos. Real-life is messy, real-life has tears, giggles, tantrums, and hugs. I do my best to capture it all and am so fortunate to be invited into so many lives.

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
My journey has not all been smooth sailing. There’s a lot to learn about starting and running a business, it’s not as easy as taking pretty pictures. There’s so much behind-the-scenes work that the average person would never know about. Learning how to manage it all has certainly been challenging. Another personal challenge of my small, woman-owned business is motherhood. Sometimes it feels overwhelming and difficult to balance it all, but I am working on a personal project that helps remind me why I do what I do. I take my camera out at least once a week to shoot life at home. The precious daily moments are truly what matter, and I love getting to preserve those beautiful memories. I’m also extremely lucky to have a rock-star husband and family that is always so supportive.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I have a natural, lifestyle approach to photography that allows my clients to simply come as they are and enjoy their current season of life. Specializing in newborn, family and brand photography I put my entire heart into each and every session. I’m always striving to thoughtfully capture those sweet, little details and use my design background to create unique compositions that preserve those real-life moments. I wholeheartedly believe that an investment in preserving memories is something you’ll never regret. I work closely with all my clients so I can uniquely tell their special story. My sessions are all about capturing the connection between loved ones. Those fleeting, raw moments are the ones that tug at my heartstrings.

So maybe we end on discussing what matters most to you and why?
Family. No matter how they’re family (by blood, by marriage, by bond) it’s people that matter most. The ones who help me, who push me to grow, the ones who I’ll do anything for, they are the people that keep me going. I think this is why preserving love is the underlying motivation/goal of my business. Because what else is there, but family and love?

Contact Info:

• Email: stacey.picsmith@gmail.com
• Website: https://www.picsmithphotography.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/picsmith.photography/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/picsmith.stacey