Today we’d like to introduce you to Mary-Alex Smith.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I’ve always had an interest in photography and live music. While earning my Bachelor of Arts degrees in English and Journalism from Cal State University, Northridge I worked for the Daily Sundial where my passion for live music photography was nurtured. During my time with the Daily Sundial, I had the opportunity to attend Taste of Chaos as a staff photographer and photograph my first noteworthy band, As I Lay Dying. I always cherished that experience and longed to do it again. Unfortunately, my interest in live music photography was put on hold for graduate school, a career in university librarianship and the expansion of my family. In late 2022, my passion in live music photography was reignited when I went to the first Open Folk LA at the Hotel Cafe. From that moment on, my DSLR camera joined me at any show I could attend, and I started actively pursuing live music photography under the name Citrus Fruit Snaps. In just seven months, I went from attending one or two concerts a year as a spectator to photographing approximately 60 shows across at least nine venues. I currently freelance for local musicians and singer-songwriters in and around Los Angeles while also serving as the house photographer at Cabin Creek Santa Monica.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It has not been easy. One of the most challenging things about live music photography is being in the right place at the right time. I have a full life with two young children and a career in librarianship so it is not always easy to find the time to go to shows, let alone possible to get that ‘perfect shot.’ I’ve struggled with bad lighting, out-of-focus images, lost files, camera malfunctions and overly crowded venues.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I’m a photographer specializing in live music photography. What sets me apart from others is that I cater to the singer-songwriter community in Los Angeles by attending intimate venues to document performances that could easily go unnoticed. I quickly identified a severe lack of quality photographic evidence of all the work these artists do and was compelled to change that. I am really proud of how my photography has evolved and the transcendent performances I’ve been able to capture in such a short amount of time. My goal so far has been to support and connect with other creatives by providing tangible memories within their budget.
What matters most to you?
Expressing myself creatively has been extremely important to my mental health. As a mother of two young children, I didn’t initially make time for creative endeavors. Having a creative outlet matters the most to me because it makes me a happier person and ultimately a better parent.
Contact Info:
- Website: linktr.ee/citrusfruitsnaps
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/citrusfruitsnaps/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/citrusfruitsnaps/
