Michael Smith is a Photographer. Although professionally trained as an Educational Psychologist and Statistician (Ph.D., University of Alabama, 1980) and employed in that capacity by the Federal Civil Service until his retirement in 2005, he has had a lifelong interest in the art and science of photography.  For almost fifty years he used traditional photographic chemical processing methods and light-sensitive film, slide, and print media to create and produce his photographic art.  Unfortunately, all his photographic equipment and a lifetime’s worth of prints,  negatives and slides were destroyed in hurricane Ivan in 2004.  Since then, he has been able to gradually replace those losses with digital equipment, techniques, and media, and he is slowly rebuilding his photographic portfolio.  He is a member of the Professional Photographers of America, the Santa Rosa Arts and Cultural Foundation, and the Arts Council of Northwest Florida .  As a Juried Artist, his work is on display at the Quayside Gallery in Pensacola and the Dragonfly Gallery in Milton, Florida.  His work is also exhibited at The Framery and Gallery in Gulf Breeze, the Native Cafe on Pensacola Beach, and  other galleries in the local area.  

His subjects are eclectic, whether in studio or on location.  Although he has considerable training in digital technology and image manipulation, his approach is to capture, reproduce, and convey the image the way he experienced it at the time it was taken - without staging, excessive enhancement, or distortion.  He processes and produces all his own work using the highest quality archival materials and techniques.  

In addition to his interest in photography as art, he is available for general commercial photographic projects in studio or on location, including formal and informal portraits of individuals and groups, beach photography, portfolio development, photojournalism, and advertising – just about anything that involves the photography of people, places, and things.

Originally from Birmingham, with longstanding roots in north and south Alabama, he takes great pride in his Southern heritage and his love of the South and its people.  A local resident since 1984, he lives and works with his wife, Jan, in Gulf Breeze, Florida and travels frequently throughout the Florida panhandle and southern Alabama and Georgia.  His other interests include sailing, fine dining, gourmet cooking, and socializing with friends. 

Michael Smith Photography
PO Box 573 32562
1289 Point East Circle 32563
Gulf Breeze, FL 
(850) 712-0639