Meet Vashti Keturah Smith

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

Hi Vashti Keturah , really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?
The Unseen Click: Trading the Corner Office for Creative Purpose

Growing up, I was the definition of active. I was in every sport, every club, and driven to be an A student. I was one of five, but with my eldest sister growing up in a different state, my two older and one younger brother were my constant companions. Unlike them, who had obvious talents in basketball or football, I never felt I had a singular, clear skill. I was good at a lot of things—even entertaining the idea of becoming president at one point—but nothing screamed “destiny.”

Then my dad, a serial entrepreneur alongside my mom, introduced me to the world of investment banking. I watched my parents run their own businesses and saw how all-consuming it was, so I thought, “Corporate. I’ll take the ladder.” Finance wasn’t just a career path for me; it was a mission. As a high schooler, I understood that a significant reason for the struggles in the Black community and other underserved communities was a lack of financial literacy. I wanted to learn the inner workings of money to help my community thrive. This led me to study finance at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
But, as you can see from the work I do now, the plot twist was always in the peripherals. Remember that “active kid”? One of those activities was a film photography class. Before that, I was just the kid with the disposable camera at every family function. But when I got into that dark room and developed my own photos, something clicked. It was a feeling I couldn’t yet name. When my black-and-white nature piece won second place at the school gallery, it was a subtle validation that I quickly shelved the path that felt like a detour.

My corporate journey was successful. I went from being on the investment banking track to realizing the work-life balance was nonexistent. I pivoted to commercial banking, which offered a better fit. I was a Relationship Manager, selling treasury management solutions to corporations. I grew fast, skipping over typical steps to become a manager in the South Florida middle market. I learned to negotiate, to manage large accounts, and to build relationships with people from every walk of life—skills that would become invaluable. But through it all, it never felt quite right. I would pray, asking God, “What is my purpose? Why am I here?”
For so long, I believed purpose had to be obvious, a singular, shining light you could see from a mile away. Mine was hidden in plain sight, a tapestry of all the threads I had pulled along the way.

The pieces finally began to assemble when I moved to South Florida. My partner, who had an entry-level digital camera and a deep love for the art of video and photography, would take pictures just for fun. I had always wanted a digital camera but never had one. As people started asking us to shoot for them, my financial mind kicked in. I was resistant to investing in an expensive camera for a “hobby.”
“Look,” I told him, “I’m only going to invest if we are going to make this serious. If, after 90 days, you still want this, we’ll do it.”
Ninety days later, his passion hadn’t waned. 3Live Productions was born in January 2020.

When Purpose Becomes the Whole Picture

It’s funny how it all connects. I grew up with an entrepreneur family, and here I am now, an entrepreneur. I studied finance, worked in the back office of banking, and learned the flow of money and how to run a business—skills I desperately needed to launch and grow my own company. My analytical sales role taught me how to communicate, negotiate, and connect with clients from diverse backgrounds, which is what I do every day as a business owner. Even that quiet click in the high school dark room was a breadcrumb.

My purpose was not a sudden revelation. It was a convergence of my lifelong traits and experiences. All those years of being the active, driven, multi-talented kid were preparing me. All those years in corporate finance gave me the structure and knowledge to build a sustainable business. All the searching and praying for a clear path eventually led me back to the place that felt like home: creating, connecting, and building.

It’s hard, and it’s nowhere near what my younger self envisioned, but it finally feels right. My purpose wasn’t one thing; it was the combination of everything. And I couldn’t be happier fulfilling a calling that feels so completely, authentically me.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
At 3Live Productions, we’re stepping into an exciting new chapter of growth and evolution. We’re currently in the midst of a rebrand and team expansion—with open opportunities in marketing and sales, and we’re also building our network of freelance photographers, videographers, and editors. If you’re passionate about storytelling, creativity, and community, we’d love to hear from you. Send your resume to [email protected] to learn more about joining our team.

We recently closed out the summer with an incredible milestone—being named Best of Florida in Photography by Guide to Florida, following last year’s recognition as Best of Florida in Videography. It’s an honor that reflects our dedication to creativity, quality, and impact. This season was made even more special by the 9 high school interns who joined us to learn the business side of creativity and strengthen the communities they operate in. Mentorship and collaboration are at the heart of what we do, and seeing young creatives grow into their voices reminded us how powerful it is when art and intention come together.

As for me, I’m Vashti K. Smith, the Co-Founder and Creative Director of 3Live Productions. My role is to shape the creative vision of our brand—overseeing everything from concept development to production, client experience, and storytelling. With a background in finance and analytics, I approach creativity with both strategy and heart, ensuring that every project not only looks beautiful but also aligns with purpose, emotion, and impact.

At our core, 3Live Productions is a multimedia company built on creativity, culture, and connection. We specialize across five key industries— Branding/Commercial, Weddings/Events, Fashion/Beauty, School/Sports, and Portraits—and take pride in our versatility. While most creative brands focus on one niche, we’ve redefined what that means. We call it our “jack of all trades, master of many” approach. In other words, we are the niche—not because we fit into one box, but because we’ve built the expertise to lead in many.

Everything we do is rooted in our six core values:
• Be You – Show up as your authentic self; that’s where the magic starts.
• Stay Curious & Make It Better – Curiosity fuels creativity and growth.
• Deliver Quality – Strive for excellence in every frame, every time.
• Have Fun & Spread the Love – Joy is contagious; we create with it.

At 3Live, we don’t just create content—we build community and lead with intention. Our mission is to bring visions to life through meaningful visuals that connect, inspire, and leave a lasting impact. As we move through this rebrand and team expansion, we’re excited for what’s ahead and grateful for the people who continue to grow with us along the way.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Looking back, I’d say three qualities have been the most impactful in my journey so far: developing my technical skills, learning to network as an introvert, and having the courage to define my own path.

The first was mastering the technical side of photography. I’m self-taught, so it took a lot of time, self-learning, and practice to really understand both the science and art behind the craft. I invested in online courses, workshops, and even 1:1 sessions with photographers I respected—especially to deepen my understanding of lighting. And honestly, I’m still learning every day. There’s always a new technique, style, or perspective to explore, and that constant growth keeps me inspired.

The second was networking and putting myself out there. I’m naturally more introverted—I recharge by spending time alone—so being in social settings or having to “sell” my business didn’t come naturally. But I realized that connection is just as important as creativity. Building genuine relationships and learning to communicate your value are what open doors. Networking doesn’t have to feel forced; it can simply be sharing your passion with the right energy and intention.

And lastly, one of the most defining lessons for me has been understanding what I want 3Live Productions to be—even though there’s no other company exactly like mine. It’s not always easy to lead when your vision doesn’t fit a traditional mold. The industry often encourages photographers to “pick a niche,” which makes sense if your goal is to be a specialist. But my dream has always been bigger: to build a full-scale media house that serves both businesses and consumers with creativity, intention, and excellence.

As for advice to those just starting out—listen to yourself and stay the course. If you keep showing up and giving your best, you will reach your goals. You might have to pivot or adjust along the way, but don’t quit too soon.

Also, surround yourself with people who believe in you and challenge you to grow. My dad always said, “If you’re the smartest person in the room, you’re in the wrong room.” Keep evolving—there’s no ceiling to your growth.

And finally, be authentic. The people who are meant for you will gravitate towards your energy, and those who aren’t—that’s okay too. You don’t have to be for everyone. Focus on self-love, take time for yourself, and do the things that bring you joy. That’s where true creativity and success begin.

Who is your ideal client or what sort of characteristics would make someone an ideal client for you?
Our ideal client lives at the intersection of fun and sophistication. They value high-quality, intentional work but still want the experience to feel natural, creative, and full of good energy.

At 3Live Productions, we connect best with people and brands who have a clear vision but also trust us to elevate it through storytelling, style, and strategy. Whether it’s a wedding, a branding campaign, or a fashion shoot, our ideal client understands that the experience is just as important as the final product.

They’re the kind of clients who appreciate details, good communication, and creativity—but they also know how to have fun with it. They’re not afraid to try something new, express themselves authentically, and collaborate to bring something unique to life.

Ultimately, our favorite clients share our values: authenticity, curiosity, quality, and joy. When we’re working with people who are intentional yet playful—refined but real—that’s when the magic happens.

Contact Info:

Image Credits
3Live Productions- Vashti Smith

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