My name is Alex Smythe. I am a born and raised, proud Memphian. Photography has been a lifelong passion. Growing up, my mother had a darkroom in our basement, and I developed an early interest in the craft and process. While working as a professional photographer in my late teens and early twenties, I eventually found it difficult to create images that truly inspired me due to the pressure of producing work for clients based on the financial viability of the work. The profession made it difficult to maintain my love for the art. It has taken me many years to get back to a place where I enjoy taking photographs again.  I've maintained a low profile on social media, avoiding the pressure to correlate financial success and "likes" with image quality. This allows me to focus on creating images that bring me joy. To help rediscover my love for photography, I've focused on personal projects and collaborations. These experiences have reignited my passion and helped me appreciate the art for its own sake, rather than for external validation.