EP 57 • Marcus Smith
About Marcus
Marcus traces back much of his blistering creative talent to his childhood in Chicago. A keen athlete, he would go on to become one of the most in-demand sports photographers working today.
His early love of coloring books shaped his confident use of light and distinctive color palette. And as a nine-year-old, he would hire his drawing skills out to his less-talented classmates, an early example of his hustle. Marcus studied Business Economics, and it was in college he first became interested in photography, shooting his musician friends.
On graduating, he followed his creative instincts, albeit with a savvy sense of supply and demand from his studies. He was ahead of the curve, and has gone on to shoot superstars like Serena Williams, LeBron James and Kobe Bryant’s end-of-an-era retirement campaign for Nike. Other clients include Abercrombie & Fitch, Adidas, Asics, BEATS by DRE, Bose, ESPN, Gillette, GQ, IKEA, Nike, The North Face, Pepsi, Powerade, Puma, and Reebok.
SHOW NOTES:
Website: www.marcus-smith.com
Where are you based?: Chicago, IL
Most influential photographer from the past and the present day?
Just naming some of my favorites; Julia Noni, Carlos Serrao, David Sims, and Jonathan Mannion.
Tell us your favorite lens and how you use it.
I don't necessarily have one favorite lens, but I do enjoy shooting all of them nearly wide open almost all the time at 2.8
What is the greatest lesson you've learned in your career? :
Things don't usually happen before they're supposed to.
What is the quote you live by?
Leap and the net will appear.
Instagram: @marcus.chi
