Young people doing cool things: Claudia Smith
19 years old and kicking serious goals.
I did a photo shoot with Claudia Smith a few weeks ago. I’d seen her work on Instagram and was struck by the minimal, yet playful aesthetic of her photography. When she picked me up in her car, I was a little surprised to see the P Plates in the top right hand corner of her 1992 Mercedes. Yep, at the ripe old age of 19, Claudia Smith is killing the photography game. Wondering how she does it? Please, read on.
When did you start taking photos?
I started around the age of 14-15 just taking lots of photos of my friends. My first digital camera was a canon 550d I think and I always shot on shitty point-and-shoot film cameras before creating the collection I have now.
Who has been your most exciting client to work for so far?
Oh man, this is hard! My first super-exciting shoot was for a vintage label from Byron Bay called Alida Buffalo. It was crazy fun and such a good experience. I also love working with the Rollas team, they’re a rad bunch!
I noticed when we were shooting that you were pretty shy, but also very confident with your direction and how you wanted the shots to look. Do you always have a very clear vision in your mind before a shoot? How have you learned to confidently direct models?
Yeah I’m usually a pretty quiet person. I always pre-plan locations, make moodboards and communicate with the model beforehand to make sure we are on the same page. I think it’s good to have a clear vision, so you can get the best possible work. I’ve found that some models find it helpful to get the direction, as it makes them more confident and comfortable with me. I think it just comes with time and finding confidence in yourself and what you want the end product to be.
I loved your Rollas ’15 campaign on the beach with the campfire. I wanted to be at that campfire wearing Rollas jeans with those beautiful people. Can you tell us how that job came about and where you got the idea?
I had previously been working with the Rollas team on their social media content. Then in July we realised we were all heading up to Byron Bay for Splendour In The Grass so we decided to shoot their campaign there! It was an awesome secluded beach, we gathered some Byron babes and the magic happened!
You also mentioned when we were having a ‘lil chat in the car that you’re really inspired by Juergen Teller’s photography. I can definitely see that in your work. What about his photographs inspires you? Could you name a favourite picture?
Yesss, Teller has always been a favourite of mine. I love the rawness and the fact he shoots film. So hard to name a favourite! But love his shots of Kate Moss and his Marc Jacobs’ campaigns.
Who are you favourite Aussie photographers?
Ryan Kenny, Jennifer Stenglein, Ryan Brabazon.
You’re from Byron Bay originally. I’ve noticed a lot of creative people in Melbourne come from Byron Bay. How do you think your upbringing has influenced your creative career?
Things are so laid-back [there] so I guess you feel open to be yourself and create the work you love. I think the coast has been a big influence for me. A lot of my work seems to be connected to that environment and I feel happiest shooting on coastlines.
Do you set goals for yourself with photography? Do you say, “ok this month I want to work with this model or for this brand?” Or do you just wing it?
I have a few brands I work for on a monthly basis, which keeps me busy. But any extra work is always a bonus! I also get girl crushes and try my best to work with them!
Could you name a turning point in your career, say in the last 12 months, when you were like, shit, I can totally do this?
Still haven’t got there (laughs).
What do you think is the best thing about being a young professional?
I love the range of creatives I get to work with. I’ve met some of my best friends through work! It’s also an awesome experience to have while you’re young, building skills early, which I’ll keep for life.
What is the hardest thing about being a young professional?
Sometimes knowing how to be professional (laughs).
You’ve got 15.3k followers on Instagram, how did you gain such a strong following? How important is social media in your career?
It definitely has its ups and downs for people! I started getting exposure through publishing online and I was interviewed for Yen magazine. I think it’s just grown from there. I’d say it’s very important because it’s where most clients have found me. Social media is my main source for getting work.
Do you get nervous before shoots?
Oh god yeah, although the more I shoot the more confident I get.
Ok, so now I have to ask the number one clichéd question that everyone wants to know the answer to: what advice do you have for young creative people trying to get their work ‘out there’?
Shoot lots and lots! It’s a competitive industry.
Grace is a model who also studies writing and cinema at the University of Melbourne.
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