Photolife Blog
The Visual & Textual Journal of a London Portrait Photographer
An afternoon with Alex Salmond
Portraits of Alex Salmond, former First Minister of Scotland, taken in October 2017 over a game of pool, and some reflections written since.
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A morning at Air Studios
Portraits of Emmy award winning composer, conductor and pianist Gavin Greenaway at Air Studios, Hampstead, including shots at the Steinway for his upcoming album.
Congratulations Nell!
Congratulations to author Nell Stevens, one of five finalists shortlisted for the BBC 2018 short story awards with "The Minutes" on BBC Radio 4.
The Lawson Trio Welcomes Violinist, Francesca Barritt
Photos welcoming violinist Francesca Barritt, leader of English Touring Opera, as the new violinist of the Lawson Trio.
Marianne Power: Help Me!
Publicity photos of author Marianne Power in Homerton, East London, for Help Me!, her year of following a new self help book each month (Picador, 2018).
Pens, Pots and Pictures: An afternoon with Elizabeth MacNeal
Publicity portraits of potter and author Elizabeth MacNeal in her East London home and garden for the sleeve of her first novel, The Doll Factory.
How to crop a photo
How to crop a photo of a person: the basic visual rules (don't cut off limbs, don't crop too close to a head) and why cropping limits future use.
It's Magic; Maddox Magic
Sam "Maddox" Dixon of Maddox Magic on Britain's Got Talent, and our 2016 street photo shoot of his close-up magic in East London.
Battling "The Beast from the East"
An early morning winter lifestyle shoot with Graham near Shoreditch High Street Station, in the sub-zero wind-chill of the Beast from the East.
Inspiring Women - Roundup of Mat Smith's London Portraits for International Women's Day 2018
A roundup of Mat Smith's London portraits of inspiring women for International Women's Day 2018, the centenary of women's suffrage in Britain.
Portrait of Lady Hale
Baroness Hale was today appointed the President of the UK Supreme Court. My portrait of Lady Hale below was taken almost exactly a year ago. Commissioned by University of Bristol.
Maddox Magic - Portraits in Barbican, Moorgate, Brick Lane
"Magic should be unassuming. It should catch you by surprise, and it should fill you with that sense of wonder". Back in Autumn of last year I had the opportunity to shoot the portrait of an entertainer and magician supreme: Maddox.
Deadpool - Up Close & Personal - Photo Shoot with Mat Smith Photography
A Deadpool photo shoot in a South London warehouse for Rainbow Productions, makers of mascot and character costumes shipped worldwide.
Autumn portraits in Chiswick
Portraits from a "Chiswick in the Autumn" session with Lin: no better place and no better time of year for beautiful colours and gorgeous light.
Fungi foray in the New Forest
A weekend of New Forest fungi foraging
A weight off the shoulders
How to adapt the Think Tank Pro Speed Belt v2.0 to fit an Eggsnow camera holster
One step closer to Digital Image Darkroom Utopia!
Mat's retouching studio upgrade: full blackout, dimmable 6500K lighting controlled from an iPhone, white walls and a calibrated IPS display.
Carly and Nick at Notley Tythe Barn, Long Crendon
Nestled in the hills of Buckinghamshire lies the medieval Notley Tithe Barn, the destination for Carly and Nick's wedding. Here are some photos from the day.
Within the Sound of the Bow Bells
First few photos from the wedding of Kathryn and Phil at St Mary Le Bow
Album Cover shots for singer / songwriter Paul Millns
I had the pleasure this week of making some images of acclaimed singer / songwriter Paul Millns for the cover of his upcoming album
Nat & Ivan's Wedding in Oxford
Photos from Nat and Ivan's wedding at Teddy Hall, Oxford, with Nat in a dress she designed with Pascale at Stag and Bow.
The Best Photo Assistant Ever
So this is the girl I get to point my camera at every day
Lawson Trio Summer 2013
It's always a funny feeling walking into a concert hall foyer that is familiar to you from years of concert-going, and unexpectedly spotting one of your own photos
Portrait of Antonio Carluccio
I took a portrait of the great chef in his deli restaurant in Chiswick last year, and realised I never blogged the photo
The secrets of iPhone portrait photography
In this article, I'm going to tell you how to get the best possible portrait shots from your iPhone. I'll also share with you some software I use; these apps are very well-loved by amateur and professional photographers alike. The more time I spent shooting professionally, the less I was inclined to take around my DSLR, opting instead to take various other smaller cameras for everyday photography; Canon G6, my beautiful old Nikkormat with 50mm 1.4 lens and a roll of Fuji BW film, even a twin lens reflex was smaller and easier to carry around. Now, I just take my iPhone 4S with me.
Cinegraphs - The Moving Still Image
What a cinegraph (or cinemagraph) is: a still image where the photographer decides which parts move and which stay frozen. Not a GIF, not a video.
Chiswick's newest restaurant, Jamie Oliver's Union Jacks
The soft opening of Jamie Oliver's Union Jacks restaurant in Chiswick, with his partner in the venture, Chris Bianco.
A Wedding in Regent's Park
Some of the first photos from a recent wedding in Regent's Park, London, in the September and October light.
iPhone 4S Camera Review - in-depth
There are myriad features on the new iPhone that I love; Siri, notifications, integrated Twitter, location-based reminders - but this is a review of the new iPhone 4S Camera.
Review and photos of Commonwealth Kitchen Published
Mat Smith's photos and review of Commonwealth Kitchen in a double page spread in the Royal Commonwealth Society magazine, September 2011.
Rebecca and Edwin, Wonersh, Surrey
Rebecca and Edwin's wedding in Wonersh, Surrey, at the 16th century Nurscombe Barn, where the rain cleared after the church.
Wish You Were At Topshop
Photographing shoppers for Topshop's "Wish You Were Here" promotion in Dublin and New York: iPad 2 portraits, Instagram filters and instant postcard prints.
Lawson Piano Trio shoot near Tate Modern
Photos of the Lawson Piano Trio (Annabelle Lawson, Fenella Humphreys, Rebecca Knight) from Tate Modern to St Paul's, Barbican and Liverpool Street.
Best of the Polo Calendar shoots 2010-2011
A few favourite shots from the two Polo Club Calendars photographed by Mat Smith Photography in 2010 and 2011.
Sector7 Launch Gig - Portraits at 606 Club
Portraits of vocal quartet Sector7 and lead singer Sarah Ellen Hughes at their launch gig at the 606 Club, London.
Photograph of Cheryl Frances-Hoad makes it onto front cover of BASCA magazine
Mat Smith Photography's portrait of award winning British composer Cheryl Frances-Hoad on the front cover of BASCA magazine, Issue 30.
Exclusive Preview Dinner at the Commonwealth Kitchen
Searcys at The Commonwealth Club threw its doors open to the general public recently, and we were invited to an exclusive preview of their new menu. Here's the scoop on the evening, with pictures of the food and the fun in early 2011.
We Cannot Develop A Memory
These musings are inspired by: a quick read of a Malcolm Gladwell book I can't find online (found in Daunt Books), an interesting debate heard on the radio about the influence of academics on political movements this morning (Andrew Marr, Charles Clarke, Nigel Lawson), the work and writings of Henri Cartier-Bresson.
Photographing Ambridge's Finest
Portraits of Tom Archer from BBC Radio 4's The Archers, taken at home with simple mobile lighting just before Christmas 2010.
My first White Winter Wedding!
Nikki and Tom's snowy winter wedding at the 12th century Tithe Barn, Ye Olde Bell, Hurley, with formal photos out in the snow.
Portraits of a composer: Cheryl Frances-Hoad
Portraits of composer Cheryl Frances-Hoad in Cambridge for album artwork, after she won the British Composer Awards 2010 in two categories.
First shot from the RVC Polo Calendar
The first shot from the Royal Veterinary College Polo Calendar: Rosy from the RVC.
Judith, Cyclist
Studio portraits of Judith, ahead of her 175km bike ride.
Photos of Sinéad at the West London Studio
Photographs of Sinéad from the opening of the new Mat Smith Photography studio in Shepherd's Bush, West London.
Studio Family Portraits - Special Offer
Family portraits at the West London studio, with photos from a morning shoot with Antonia, Remus and Gabs.
Portrait of Julian Huppert MP
Mat Smith Photography's portrait of Julian Huppert, new Liberal Democrat MP for Cambridge, outside the Houses of Parliament.
Portfolio shots at the London studio
A round-up of studio portraits: Ashley of Ebb and Flow, Emily for a talking-face app, and Lucy for her acting and singing career.
Spring is here
Spring along the River Cam, through Grantchester Meadows to The Orchard Tea Rooms.
More Emily and Tom
More photographs from Tom and Emily's Easter wedding in York.
Purple Revolution
Electoral reform protesters from Take Back Parliament and Vote For A Change outside the 2010 coalition talks in Palmer Street, by St James's Park.
A Wedding in the 'Shire
Anna and Ross's wedding in the grounds of Hardwick House Hotel, Bredon Hardwick, Gloucestershire: a few selected photographs from the day.
Camera of Fun at Tom and Emily's Wedding
The Camera of Fun photobooth studio at Tom and Emily's Easter wedding in York, after the ceremony, dinner and speeches.
Wedding Photography and Copyright
There's a great deal of misunderstanding and misinformation out there! Learn the difference between licence and copyright. And get to know your photographer well...
Lightroom 3 Beta 2 - Tethered Shooting
Tethered shooting in Adobe Lightroom 3 Beta 2: images go straight from camera to computer so the studio photographer can assess each shot instantly.
More Tom and Emily - A York Wedding
Plans for Tom and Emily's York wedding: guest portraits on white with an 85mm lens, part photo booth and part studio portrait.
Running a shoot: corporate headshots for a firm in London
Corporate headshots for the founders and staff of Melcrum publishing in London: quick-fire mini interviews with a single off-camera flash.
Mat Smith Photography featured in this week's Metro (London) and St Pancras International Station
This week my photograph of St Pancras International Station (London) is featured in a number of high-circulation journals and billboards in London.
Portraits of a pianist at Magdalen College, Oxford
Publicity portraits of pianist Ceri in the grounds of Magdalen College, Oxford, for her website and upcoming album of Bach recordings.
Confetti Keepsakes - a wedding in Marylebone
Ken and Janice's wedding in Marylebone, London, after over 15 years together, and a confetti keepsake from the day.
Tom and Emily's Engagement - Gap advert styled portraiture
Tom and Emily's engagement shoot in West London: Gap advert styled portraits on white, ahead of their Easter wedding in York.
Mat Smith Photography featured in calendar on sale in Burlington Arcade
The 2010 Polo Club Calendar, with all photography by Mat Smith Photography, on sale at Polista's in Burlington Arcade, Mayfair, London.
Wintry Christmas 2009 e-Cards from Mat Smith, London-based photographer
Free Christmas e-Cards featuring Mat Smith's wintry Polaroid and Rolleicord film photographs, with your own message.
Boys being boys - family and character portraiture in Richmond, London
I have never met a child who will sit still for a photograph. It therefore helps to take the stress out of a photo shoot if you work with one rather than against...
South of the River - a beautiful wedding in Petersham Hotel, Richmond by Mat Smith Photography
Claire and Derrick's wedding at the Petersham Hotel, Richmond, with its glorious views over the River Thames at early dusk.
Sushi in London
You Me Sushi in Marylebone: a good sushi place in a town with a dearth of them.
The Principles of HDR Imaging
Why is HDRI viewed negatively amongst some photographers?
Maja - portrait of a scriptwriter
Maja Bodenstein is a scriptwriter interested in themes of race, identity and the perception of women in modern day culture. She was photographed this week by Mat Smith Photography.
Favourite dishes of 2009
Mat's favourite home-cooked dishes of 2009, starting with Layla's Tray Baked Chicken Maryland at her new place in Westminster.
As long as it's tasteful
On photographing around twenty female university students nude for a charity calendar, and what "as long as it's tasteful" really says.
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About the photographer
Mat Smith is a Professional Freelance Portrait Photographer working in London and across the UK.
Call07970 938694Emailhello@matsmithphotography.com
View Mat's portfolio