Ron Smith did not take the traditional route to being a wedding and high school senior photographer.  His passion grew out of a hobby and he made the leap to full time photographer at the age of 40.  Call it a midlife crisis, call it a longing, call it what you want, but since opening his Clarkston, Michigan studio in 2004, business has more than doubled and he hasn’t looked back.

"I really don’t think there is one set path to our lives.  I think it is partially where you put yourself and part fate."

Location and fate stepped in during a Shutterbug Magazine workshop in Taos, New Mexico in 2002.  There, Ron met magazine editor George Schaub and writer Joe Farace.  He struck up a casual friendship with each and learned as much as he could in two days.  Joe would later feature Ron’s website in his monthly Web Profiles article for the magazine.

"That workshop in New Mexico and subsequent magazine article was a real confidence booster.  Based on my experience and education I knew I could be successful with just about any business venture. But I had some lingering doubts and wondered if I had what it would take to make it as a photographer."

Ron had no doubts that he could handle the transition to the digital age of photography.

"In the late nineties, I worked as a project manager in Dallas with a company that developed web content for other companies.  Since I started using Photoshop with version 3, I was comfortable with digital pictures.”

With his wife’s unwavering support, Ron traded in his job as a project manager and started the photography business in their home basement, concentrating on sports and wedding photography.

"I know some photographers don’t like to shoot weddings, but I always approached them as a sporting event and that made me comfortable.  To me, a photograph of the first kiss is the same as the home run swing or winning goal, and definitely much easier to anticipate the timing.  Either way, I think it is my duty as a photographer to capture a special moment in time, whether it be sports, weddings or portraits."

While shooting an assignment for Michigan Hockey in Saginaw, location and fate once again merged for Ron.  There he met a fellow photographer who would soon be of great influence, Barry Rankin.   

After a year of full time home business based photography, it was time to take the next step and open a storefront studio.

So, as the studio was being built, Ron made weekly trips to Barry’s studio in Bay City to learn about studio operations, portrait photography and pick up some personal tips and tricks.

“The portrait photography was tough to learn.  I remember at one conference a speaker said you need a minimum of five lights for every portrait.  The same day a different speaker said one light and one reflector was all that was needed for every portrait.  At that point I decided, ‘All these speakers are great, but I have to have my own style.’”

Given the proliferation of digital cameras in the home and the explosion of photographers on the web, Ron still believes one can be successful as a new photographer.  “Provided they are a better than average photographer, know their marketplace, have a well-written business plan, understand marketing, have great customer service skills, a good accountant and a supportive spouse.”

Ron’s style includes several sets designed by Larry Hershberger and his teams, past and present.  "I really enjoy the flexibility the sets provide.  When the temperature is in the single digits, you really don’t want to go outside to do a shoot.  The sets give me an outdoor look inside.  As a business person I know it is not practical, but with the competitive advantage I have with these sets, I really wish I could be Larry’s only Michigan customer."

The transition to doing something he loves has been stress free for Ron.   "I am my own boss.  I can set my own hours. I have great customers.  I can bring my dog to work with me.   Who could ask for anything more?"