About Tony Smith
Tony was born in Newport in South Wales in the UK with itchy feet! At just 15 years of age he “ran away to sea” on a cargo ship to South America arriving in Buenos Aires in time for the latest coup. Further voyages took him around the world working in the first class restaurants on ocean liners, including the maiden voyage of the first Oriana. Back on dry land with the immediate travel bug out of his system he pursued a career in hospitality management that took him to Rhodesia (Zimbabwe), Johannesburg in South Africa, London where he managed the largest Holiday Inn in Europe and Winchester, England’s ancient capital, where he has lived since 1981.
A patriotic Welshman he played rugby union for several clubs in the UK and Rhodesia and representative matches for Sussex and Manicaland.
His interest in photography started quite seriously in his late 20’s with portraiture and promotional stuff for his business when he had his own “badly ventilated” darkroom. Since 2000 photography has become his main focus in life outside of the family.
It is clear from his work that Tony is a “people person” he has tried other genre but nothing motivates him more than being with people, regardless of their colour, class or creed, he reckons he gets the biggest smiles from the poorest people, and the biggest buzz at religious and cultural festivals. He is currently accumulating a collection of rugby fan images for a new website to be published in the winter of 2009.
Tony is a member of the Royal Photographic Society (number 70395)
He has been checked by the Criminal Records Bureau disclosure certificate (number 001132149579) and cleared for working with children and vulnerable adults.
Images published in several magazines and websites. His rugby fan photos were used exclusively on an official Rugby World Cup site in South Africa in 2008. As a member of a photo club he has enjoyed considerable success. He exhibits his work in local and international exhibitions and competitions. Tony has a very relaxed attitude to copyright and is pleased to make his images available to any group whose views and endeavours he supports without charge or conditions.
Recent travels have taken him to Nepal, Bhutan, India, France, China, Spain, Morocco and the USA and Canada where he has attended Hindu, Christian, Muslim, Buddhist and Gypsy events. Planned visits include South East Asia and destinations in Europe.
Married “for over a hundred years” to Pamela they have two daughters. They have homes in Winchester, England and Marbella in Andalucia in Southern Spain where they have developed a keen interest in Spain’s Moorish history and architecture. They mostly travel together.
If you would like to get in touch Tony would love to hear from you, you might even wish to invite him to your festival or event?