I'm very excited to tell you about one of my favorite photo industry team members. I first met producer Heather Smith when her production company Smith x Union was recommended to me for a Hunter Douglas shoot that I was commissioned to do. Heather has an increadible client list including Coke, Wieden+Kennedy, Ogilvy & Mather, and TBWA Chiat Day. I know I could trust her on one of my biggest clients. She knocked it out of the park and we've been on many shoots since then for my clients Prometheus Real Estate Group, UBS, and of course Hunter Douglas.
Heather's super power is to take the stress out of any big production and make the whole set feel relaxed and well taken care of. You should see the craft table at our shoots: it's snack nirvana. She's always a huge help and does everything with grace and kindness. She's direct, honest, and man does she work hard. She's the total package and hires only the best crew to help her out. I can't wait for our next shoot together.
Let's meet Heather:
Describe what you do and how long you’ve been doing it.
I’m a producer. I started in the industry at 21 and haven’t looked back. I collect great people along the way to help me. It’s the only way I made it to where I am at today. Amazing help with the best personalities.
How did you get your start?
I found out they were filming Dawson's Creek near my college in North Carolina. I was fascinated so started to do extra work for money while in college. After my first day on set I was addicted and knew this was in the vein of work I wanted to do, but behind the camera. I just stalked till I found the right person to send my resume and got the job!!! I quit college 6 months short of graduating. My parents cried! I did go back and get my degree but I knew it was an opportunity I couldn’t turn down.
Who was your first client?
My first client as a producer on my own would have been LensCrafters Campaign I ♥️LC. We traveled the country and street-casted the whole campaign.
What’s a typical shoot day like for you?
Hopefully, I’m helping the photographer to direct Talent. Hype man is my favorite nickname. I’m also highly involved in the food on set because I know it’s how I’m quietly judged by crew :)
I’m usually filling coolers, sending call sheets, helping wardrobe and props, and prepping for the next day. Anything to make the day smooth and efficient. I’m hands-on and love every second of my productions and crew I work with. My crew is my family. I care so much about them and getting to share them with other photographers makes me proud.
What tools do you use to do your job?
My mind mostly. Thinking 10 steps ahead to make the day more efficient is the biggest battle.
What was the craziest thing that happened to you on a job?
I was cornered on a motorhome in a bad part of town by a somewhat insane person. No one was on the motorhome to help so I had to just stall till the driver came back on. It was one of the scariest moments of my life.
Favorite ice cream?
Cookies and cream. I’m a sucker for it.
How can people find out more about you?
My Instagram is saturated with my family. It gets more likes than my work posts any day but at the end of the day, we work hard to give to our family and friends so it’s where it all starts and ends.