Introduction
Paul Smith’s life is a captivating blend of passion and profession. By day, he navigates the fast-paced world of news content management at Alamy. By night, he transforms into “Zombie Teeth,” capturing the electrifying energy of live music through his lens. This dual life, while demanding, allows Paul to not only fuel his artistic fire but also bring valuable insights to his work at Alamy.
Credit: Paul Smith // Authority Zero at Brakrock in Belgium
Can you tell us a bit about yourself and your role at Alamy as the Assistant Picture Desk Operative for News Content?
“I’m Paul Smith, 43. Outside of my role at Alamy, I’m an artist, graphic designer, and photographer. I primarily work within the music scene, either shooting live bands or designing merchandise and marketing materials for their releases and tours. This experience ties into my role on the live news team, where I assist contributors with image upload and keywording, manage the live news feed, and even contribute my own live music photography to the feed.“
Credit: Paul Smith // On stage with the Venomous Pinks in Arizona, US
How did you first become interested in photography and media content creation within the alternative music scene?
“Music has always played a major role in my life. My parents would record the top of the pops every week, and as kids, my sister and I would watch those VHS tapes every chance we got. As I grew older, my love for music only intensified. In 2018, wanting to meet one of my favorite bands, I set up a photoshoot with them for my photographer friend. Unfortunately, when my friend had to drop out, I stepped in with a borrowed camera, pretending I knew how to use a DSLR. The experience went so well and was so much fun that I ended up buying a camera of my own.“
Credit: Paul Smith // Codefendants in Leeds
Background and Journey
What inspired you to pursue a career in photography/media?
“When my children were younger, and I was a full-time single parent, I started a DeviantArt account (I know, edgy!). I would take walks with my children, photographing things I saw along the way and uploading them with titles that were, admittedly, pretentious and cringe-worthy. Despite loving the process, I never thought I could afford a DSLR camera, so my artistic pursuits waned for several years. However, the experience you mentioned above, meeting your favorite band, truly changed my life. It sparked a renewed passion and made me feel like I had finally found my place in the world, leading me to pursue photography again.“
Credit: Paul Smith // Witch Fever in Nottingham
Could you share a bit about your journey at Alamy and how you ended up in your current role?
“I began working at PA in 2013 as a Newspaper Repro-checker, where I directly collaborated with the Newspaper sales department to report on image usages. Over time, my role evolved, and I took on additional general administrative duties within the office as well as the responsibility of health and safety officer.
Following the merger of PA and Alamy, I joined the News team here and worked closely with Jess, Neil, and Amy to learn the new processes. I continue to be part of the News team, but with increased responsibilities, including posting live news content on Alamy’s social media platforms. Additionally, at the beginning of this year, I took on the initiative of applying for accreditation as a Live Music photographer for Alamy.“
Credit: Paul Smith // The Meffs in Birmingham
Balancing Work and Side Hustle
How do you manage to balance your responsibilities at Alamy with your passion for photography and the alternative music scene?
“It’s a constant cycle of late nights. If I’m in bed before midnight, it’s considered an early night. Outside of my “9 to 5,” I’m either glued to my desk or sketching on my iPad. When I have an evening concert, I adjust my work schedule accordingly. If it’s in Nottingham, I’ll work from the office that day and bring my camera and all my gear with me.“
Credit: Paul Smith //
Have there been any particular challenges you’ve faced in balancing your work and side hustle, and how have you overcome them?
“Feeling overwhelmed is a constant struggle, especially this year with the large volume of photography and artwork projects I’ve been juggling. Just when I feel like I’m catching up, something else pops up. Despite the challenges, I wouldn’t trade it for anything. However, sometimes I simply crave relaxation and downtime. Imposter syndrome is another hurdle, but I’ve learned to push through it and keep going. Lack of a driver’s license adds another layer of difficulty, as travel to many gigs can be expensive or time-consuming. Fortunately, I’ve overcome this obstacle by calling in favours for rides, crashing on friends’ couches, and using creative solutions. For example, I managed to score a ride on a band’s van to reach a festival in Belgium last year.“
Credit: Paul Smith // The Interrupters in Nottingham
Creative Process
Can you walk us through your creative process when capturing photos or creating media content?
“Upon entering a venue, I always walk around first. I assess the lighting, particularly focusing on how challenging it might be in smaller venues, to determine the most suitable settings and angles. However, these plans often need to be adapted on the fly, as bands are inherently unpredictable. Working with the existing lighting and incorporating it into the image is a key aspect of my approach, as you’ll likely notice in my photography.“
Credit: Paul Smith // Nofx in Leeds
What are some of your main sources of inspiration within the alternative music scene?
“Punk music has been my primary musical passion since I was 14. I’ve always been captivated by the grainy, high-contrast photos of live shows on album sleeves, particularly the images of mosh pits teeming with energetic crowds. These static images somehow convey the raw energy of the performance, and that’s something I strive to capture in my own photography. I’m incredibly inspired by the bands I work with. They are incredibly supportive and embody a “you can do anything” attitude. Additionally, I’ve been fortunate enough to photograph some of my musical heroes, including NOFX, The Bar Stool Preachers, and Bad Cop/Bad Cop. While the adage “never meet your heroes” exists, I’m happy to report that all of them have been wonderful people.“
Credit: Paul Smith // Bad Cop Bad Cop at Brakrock in Belgium
Impact of Side Hustle
How has your side hustle in photography and media content creation influenced your work at Alamy?
“My firsthand experience capturing images at events allows me to assist contributors in several ways. I can provide them with pre-show information, including what types of shots we’re looking for and, if I’ve been to the venue before, specific tips like where to position themselves. Additionally, I can identify rising stars and recommend that contributors apply for accreditation to photograph them.“
Nottingham, UK 15th Sept 2023, Matt Willis of Busted performs in nottingham at the Motorpoint Arena in Nottingham as part of the bands 20th Anniversary tour Credit: Paul Smith / Alamy Live News
Do you find that your work at Alamy informs or influences your creative projects outside of work?
“Working with Alamy has allowed me to photograph live music at arenas, the largest venues outside of festivals. This experience, beyond what I could gain at festivals, provided me with valuable skills in fast-paced and highly regulated environments. The pressure is high, as you only have three songs to capture your best shots.“
Credit: Paul Smith // Petrol Girls at Manchester Punk Festival
Advice for Others
What advice would you give to others who are balancing a full-time job with a side hustle in a creative field?
“Don’t do it..I am kidding, balancing a day job and creative work can be difficult but ultimately rewarding, planning is key and giving yourself time to relax is the most important thing, burn out is a real thing and I can’t follow my own advice because burn out is not fun so make sure you give yourself time to wind down, don’t beat yourself up if you can’t get everything done in one sitting, have fun with it though, I will always encourage someone wanting to be creative and make things, the Director Kevin Smith once said “Remember, it costs nothing to encourage an artist, and the potential benefits are staggering. A pat on the back to an artist now could one day result in your favourite film, or the cartoon you love watching, or the song that saves your life”, and art has saved my life many times.“
Credit: Paul Smith // Bar stool preachers in sheffield
Are there any tips or lessons you’ve learned along the way that you’d like to share with aspiring photographers or media content creators?
“Have fun! Don’t worry about having the best gear. There’s a saying: “All the gear, no idea.” I subscribe to that. My first camera only cost £170, and I took some of my favorite photos with it. It’s about building your knowledge, not your equipment. YouTube is your friend! When I first got my camera, I had no clue how to set exposure, so I watched countless basic camera tutorial videos until I understood them.
Shoot as often as you can. Whether it’s capturing a few shots at a small gig in a bar or setting up a Guy Fawkes mask on a stand in your kitchen (yes, I’ve done that!), taking photos will help you learn. Don’t get discouraged if every image isn’t a masterpiece. Every photo is a learning experience.
Knowledge is key, but don’t be afraid to experiment. Sometimes, the best results come from breaking the rules. Trust your instincts and have fun exploring!“
Closing
Thank you for sharing your insights with us, Paul. Is there anything else you’d like to add or share with our readers?
“Be kind and encouraging. If you’re drawn to something, go for it! The worst outcome is simply discovering it’s not your passion, but at least you’ll have no lingering doubts.”
Where can readers connect with you or explore more of your work online?
zombieteethmedia.co.uk
instagram.com/iamzombieteeth/
instagram.com/zombieteethclothing/
instagram.com/bassistsagainstracists
Paul’s story serves as an inspiration to anyone juggling a full-time career with a creative side hustle. It’s a testament to the power of perseverance, resourcefulness, and the unwavering belief in pursuing one’s passions. As Paul himself says, “be kind, be encouraging… if you feel like you want to give something a go but don’t think you can, just go for it.” So, take a page out of Paul’s book, embrace the challenges, and don’t be afraid to chase your creative dreams. You never know where they might lead you.
