“The Blues are like the roots of a tree that grows and branches off to country, rock, bluegrass etc. It ALL came from the Blues. It comes from hurt, it comes from love lost, it comes from the heart. It simply is the most real music I have ever experienced.”

Adam Smith:

Visualizing the Spirit of the South

Adam Smith is an award-winning documentary photographer with nearly three decades of experience chronicling the music, people, and landscapes of the American South. Known for his deep tonal range, powerful use of shadows, and striking humanism, Smith captures the enduring history of a fading world with integrity and deep compassion. His career took root in 1993 at the University of Mississippi under the mentorship of Tom Rankin, leading him to document legendary Mississippi Delta and Hill Country blues artists such as Junior Kimbrough, R.L. Burnside, and Othar Turner. This raw, unfiltered portraiture led to a lifelong collaboration with Fat Possum Records and caught the attention of legendary photographer Annie Leibovitz, whom Smith assisted for her 2003 book American Music. Throughout his career, Smith has expanded his portfolio to include country icons like Marty Stuart—collaborating on his acclaimed Ghost Train album—as well as contemporary roots and rock artists like Jason Isbell, and Drive-By Truckers.

(Image Credits: © Adam Smith Photography)

In 2020, he expanded his archival work with The Killing Floor, a podcast showcasing his rare field recordings and interviews with R.L. Burnside. Smith is developing Down In Mississippi, a multi-media series of exhibitions across Georgia and Mississippi. Moving beyond traditional galleries, these events merge his three-decade photographic journey with live performances from musical counterparts like Cedric Burnside, Kenny Brown, and Alvin Youngblood Hart. In 2002, he moved to Atlanta to serve as the Chair of the Photography Department at the Atlanta College of Art. Smith’s work has been featured by NPR, CNN, and Guitar Player Magazine, and is permanently displayed at the Georgia Music Hall of Fame.

Interview by Michael Limnios

Image Credits: © Adam Smith Photography - All Rights Reserved

How has the photo art and music influenced your views of the world? What moment changed your life the most?

I have always loved music since I can remember. When I attended University of Mississippi for undergrad in 1993, I took a photography class under documentary photographer Tom Rankin. Tom pointed me to a place called Junior Kimbrough’s Juke Joint. It was only open on Sunday nights. I was basically the only young white kid running around out there. I had never in my life experienced a place like this… the music, the sweat, the dancing and celebration of life a celebration to Junior’s music.

I had a “come to Jesus” moment there. I said to myself, if I could ever capture the power, energy, and feeling of this place on film (still) then that is what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. A calling if you will. I feel like I have done just that with my life’s work.

What is the driving force behind your continuous support for your art? What do you love most about the act/art of photography?

I gravitate toward documentary photography, I always have. Mississippi Blues and its surrounding landscapes are real… real people singing a deeply personal music that comes from pain. I gravitate toward “realness.” I also have had to branch out and work with country and rock & roll artists as well, but I still search for “hungry musicians,” people singing and playing passionate, well-written music. I try to capture the feeling I was feeling in my photography. I sincerely hope it comes through to the viewer.

“Music is EVERYTHING to me. I still get chills that run down my spine when I hear music that is well written and performed with energy, passion, and feeling.” (Image Credits: © Adam Smith Photography)

What's the balance in photo art between technique and emotions? What do you think is key for a good image/shot?

My technique is shooting manual on all my cameras… I RARELY use flash. I shoot in very low light situations… It gives a certain grain and grit that works well with Mississippi Blues.

I try to evoke emotions in my photography. It is very important to take in the scene, be where your feet are. You have to know your subject matter to a good degree. To anticipate their next moves and be there to capture it. I want the viewer to “feel” when they look at my work. I work hard to convey the deep culture in the South. I try to portray my Blues subjects in a positive and proud light that they exude.

Why do you think that the Southern Black culture and Blues music legacy continues to generate such a devoted following?

Because it is REAL! In this day and age of AI and social media where everything seems plastic and fake. This music and culture is somewhat the same. It has not changed. It is real, genuine, and from the heart… from folks that are real, genuine, and from the heart.

What keeps a photographer passionate after three decades in photo art? How does music affect your mood and inspiration?

Wow, good question… not gonna lie… it is extremely hard to make a living out of work like this. You have to really believe in yourself, believe in your work. It helps that these days I have somewhat of a name for myself in the photography world. People know my work, that feels really, really good. We all want admiration for our life’s work.

Music is EVERYTHING to me. I still get chills that run down my spine when I hear music that is well written and performed with energy, passion, and feeling.

“My technique is shooting manual on all my cameras… I RARELY use flash. I shoot in very low light situations… It gives a certain grain and grit that works well with Mississippi Blues. I try to evoke emotions in my photography. It is very important to take in the scene, be where your feet are.” (Image Credits: © by Adam Smith Photography)

What is the impact of Photography/Music on the socio-cultural implications? How do you want your photo work to affect people?

I think documentary photography and music has a huge impact on socio-cultural implications. It is a way of showing the good and the bad of a culture… the needs and the wants of a community. Mississippi and the South have had a dark history that we can’t turn away from. Mississippi has made great strides to try and move past this and learn from our mistakes. I can tell you from personal experience that Mississippi has its problems, but the racism that I experience in other parts of the US is WAY worse than what I come across in Mississippi these days.

I want my work to stand on its own. Whether it is an image of R.L. Burnside, The Black Keys, or Marty Stuart. I want people to have an emotion when they look at my images. If there is no emotion… I have not done my job.

Who was the most photogenic and difficult bluesman? What touched you from the landscapes of South?

I would have to say R.L. Burnside was my favorite friend/client to shoot. You could stop by R.L.’s house and bring a 6-pack of tall boys and just hang with him. He was hilarious! Lord, I miss that man. No one really comes to mind that has been real difficult. I would like to think we have a mutual respect for one another at this point in my career, and the subjects I try to shoot.

I love just riding down through the Mississippi Delta with nowhere in particular to go. Riding down side roads and exploring. My landscapes tend to lean toward rural landscapes. I gravitate toward images that show how time has worn down, and been forgotten about. I generally shoot most of my landscape photography in black & white.

What are some of the most important lessons you have learned from your experiences? Why is it important that we preserve and spread the Blues “Culture”?

The Blues are like the roots of a tree that grows and branches off to country, rock, bluegrass etc. It ALL came from the Blues. It comes from hurt, it comes from love lost, it comes from the heart. It simply is the most real music I have ever experienced. To me, it is extremely important to still document and preserve this music and culture. It is a way of life, and I want to continue to preserve it in any way I can.

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(Image Credits: © Adam Smith Photography - All Rights Reserved)