We recently connected with Curtis Smith Jr and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, so we’re so thrilled to have Curtis with us today – welcome and maybe we can jump right into it with a question about one of your qualities that we most admire. How did you develop your work ethic? Where do you think you get it from?
I get my work ethic from my parents and grand father, growing up i saw them work every day with out complaining just taking care of the family. My granddad used to work for the state and even though it was tough on him he still did it without complaining because he said he had to take care of the family. My Dad used to take a van ride two hours to his job and work all day and then take the same ride back after work and never complained. My mom worked in the public school systems for over 20 years so a lot of qualities in life came from that because she was able to teach us things that made us better in everyday life. It has paid off and even though it hasn’t been easy always but every time you may feel like giving up you think back to those moments and say I have to keep moving also no matter what by any means.


Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
I started doing photography around 2008, I was in a car club called RITS and I would take photos at the car shows. So when I posted them people was like they looked so good and I should do more professional photographs. So I invested in a better camera and started practicing to make myself better. So I ended up partnering with another photographer who had been doing it way longer than me and he showed me a lot of the ropes with the business. So he was a Boudior photographer so he talked me a lot about that including letting me shoot at some of the sessions and learning angles and facial expressions etc. So after I was comfortable in that I linked up with another photographer IAMPHOTOGRAPHY, and we started doing models and weddings together so after that sky was the limit started doing real estate and more events and now almost 20 years later I have experience with all forms of photography. It has allowed me to be in more than 100 magazines in which I am thankful. I collect sports cards as one of my hobbies and I have a little bit over 10000. I love going to the movies and trying new places to eat especially with my crew because we always have a good time. I have always been a leader and not a follower so that has gotten me to where I am at in life right now.


If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
One of my best qualities is my personality I always try to treat people the same no matter what or where they came from. I never have a problem connecting with people and have been told I am very good to talk to.
I have never been in major trouble or in jail so that has always been something I am proud of.
Some advice I can give is no matter what or whoever may be against you, if you put your mind to it and your heart is in it then no one can stop you. You have to get over fear and make moves to make your dreams come true.


Alright so to wrap up, who deserves credit for helping you overcome challenges or build some of the essential skills you’ve needed?
Like i said earlier my Parents and village that helped raise me, it was like a team that came together to help me during the good times and the bad times. Just like anything in life sometimes you have challenges you have to overcome but with the right people and God in your corner you can overcome anything.
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