Meet Sydney Smith

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Sydney Smith. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Sydney, we’re so appreciative of you taking the time to share your nuggets of wisdom with our community. One of the topics we think is most important for folks looking to level up their lives is building up their self-confidence and self-esteem. Can you share how you developed your confidence?

Developing my confidence and self-esteem has always been something I have struggled with in photography and as a human being. You’re always going to compare your work to someone else’s because that’s just human nature. The hard thing to do is to separate yourself. Taking a step back and looking at where I started from was super important in the development of my confidence. I have come a long way from that little 7th-grade girl who was borrowing her parents’ camera to photograph her high school classmates’ athletic events. I had no idea what I was doing then and am still learning more now as I continue to grow in photography. I used to be afraid of criticism. I’m now able to understand constructive criticism of my work and take those suggestions to improve my decision-making while photographing. I think knowing that others think I can receive constructive criticism well has been crucial to the development of my confidence. That means they believe in me to get better at what I do, and that means a whole lot to my self-esteem. I’ve learned that not everyone is going to like what you create and that is okay. Being happy with what you produce is what matters, and if you get some pats on the back along the way, that helps too. I’ve been lucky enough to have a great support system in my friends and family to always be my number one fans.

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?

Hey there! My name is Sydney Smith and I am a Sports Photographer originally from Upstate New York. I graduated in 2020 from Cazenovia College and later that year took the leap to move to Virginia Beach to explore new job opportunities (and better weather). In 2022, I started working at Christopher Newport University as their Staff Photographer in the Office of Communications and Public Relations. I cover nearly everything for the university including sporting events, music and theatre, Presidential requests, graduation, etc. I love the people I work with at CNU and they make coming to work every day something to look forward to.

One of the great things about working at a Division III school is getting to know the athletes on all the teams I photograph. One of my favorite things about shooting sports is getting to build relationships with the athletes. They’re so willing to give you an exclusive glimpse into their everyday lives and what that comes with in being a Division III athlete. These relationships formed through their sport also give me more of an opportunity to connect with them on campus and learn what they’re doing in the classrooms. It really makes my photography journey unique in that sense. I’ve grown to know the members of the Men’s Basketball team and our bond allowed me to photograph their 2023 Division III National Championship run very closely. I was able to tell their story and what it took to win a championship in a way that not everyone has the chance to due to our relationship.

Another one of my passions is being a photographer for the Norfolk Tides. Being able to work for that club and be around that team is a true honor and something I’m really grateful to do for the last few years. I think what is special about working with the Tides are two things. The amount of talent that is in their farm system is incredible. I’ve witnessed multiple young men come through and make it to the MLB. Being able to photograph number-one-ranked prospects is something not every club gets to experience. Additionally, the amount of female photographers we have working together. It is so uplifting to see five women in that dugout covering a professional sport game in and game out because representation matters. I’m lucky to work alongside such a talented groups of creatives and athletes in all of the work I do.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

At some point in any professional career, you get shot down, whether that be from employers on job applications or by an inquiry through an email. I’ve heard “no” or “sorry, we’re going in a different direction” more times than I can count. My ability to bounce back from all of the no’s, keep my head up, and keep moving forward is critical in my development. I’m not afraid to reach out about photo opportunities anymore due to my resilience and drive to keep creating new and exciting images.

Networking was something that was drilled into my brain during college. My professor always said that networking was a way to get your foot in the door, especially in the sports industry. I think that is something I’ve come to understand more and has helped me get to where I am now. You never know who someone else may know, so it never hurts to be kind and have a conversation with someone. That person could help you move in the direction of where you want to be in your career and all you have to do is talk to them and take time to listen to what they have to say and ask questions.

Growing up playing sports and throughout college, I understood how important teamwork is. Being able to collaborate with other creatives is beneficial because you can learn so much from one another. New techniques, angles, camera settings, etc. can all be learned when working at a photoshoot where you need more than one shooter. Photographing sports especially is important because other creatives can get the shot that you might miss due to lack of access or an angle. It’s okay to put your trust in others if your overall goal is to have the same outcome.

My advice would be to not be afraid to put yourself out there. The worst you can hear is no, so why not ask? Keep trying and keep connecting because one day someone will tell you yes and once that happens run with it! Also, be yourself. Don’t be scared to show who you are and what you do. You never know who will be checking your work.

Okay, so before we go, is there anyone you’d like to shoutout for the role they’ve played in helping you develop the essential skills or overcome challenges along the way?

There has never been just one person in my life who has helped me get to where I am now. My family, friends, professors, colleagues, and coaches all have played pivotal roles in shaping who I am as a photographer and person. Having people show up for you is one of the best things they can do to show their support. I am a self-taught photographer, however my professor, Dr. T, always pushed me to continue to pursue it in my own way. She always told me how unique the path that I was creating for myself was and how my sport management degree went hand-in-hand with my love of photography. She continued to motivate me to push boundaries and get my name out there any way I could.

My mom and dad have supported me ever since I picked up their camera many years ago. From cheering me on in a game that I was playing in, to cheering me on as I shoot from the sidelines, they have always supported me and helped me reach my goals in life and in my professional career.

One more person who really has helped me overcome a lot of things in my career is my fiancé, Erin. She’s always been in my corner helping me and critiquing me to push me to become better in what I do. She studied some photography in college so her knowledge and experience have been invaluable in helping me shape the way I photograph today. I wouldn’t be where I am today without all of these people and their help along the way. I’ve learned it’s okay to lean on people when you need them and to stay humble, and people like them have taught me that.

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