Smithson Photography

11/07/2025

I had someone reach out the other day that is a poet and wanted to use one of my images to put her words to it. I was honored to support a fellow artist/creative. I love when artists collaborate, especially when it’s different media. Amazing things can happen. Enjoy…

09/01/2025

Closing Announcement – Smithson Photography

After 20 years of capturing moments, telling stories through images, and serving my community under Smithson Photography, Game On! Sports Portraits, and Smithson Photography: After Dark, it is with a heavy heart that I announce the official closure of these chapters of my professional life.

This decision did not come easily. Photography has been my passion and my creative lifeline. Unfortunately, my health has made it increasingly difficult to keep up with the demands of both shooting and editing. I have been battling serious heart issues including Congestive Heart Failure, AFib, and High Output failure, along with the stress and physical toll these bring. On top of that, severe arthritis has left me needing a full hip replacement on my right side, with my left hip now beginning to deteriorate, and my left shoulder also suffering from arthritis. I am now in a wheelchair, and while I’ve tried to adapt with rollators and other supports, the work is simply too taxing on my body.

I have pushed myself to keep going, even when my body told me to stop. There were shoots I attempted to do in the chair, but the rigors of long editing hours, the weight of missed deadlines, and even devastating system failures that cost me entire team galleries—all of this combined has taken a serious toll on my health and my spirit. Some of you are still waiting on edits, and I want you to know I remain committed to finishing them. My aging MacBook and ongoing system issues make the process painfully slow, but I continue to work through them as my health allows.

All of this—my health, the backlog, the technical struggles, and the emotional burden—has also deeply affected my mental health. My depression and anxiety have made it even harder to keep going at the level I demand of myself as an artist. At some point, I had to face reality: continuing at this pace would cost me far more than I can afford to give.

That said, this is not a farewell to creativity. I will still pick up my camera when I am able, especially for landscapes and cityscapes as my body permits. And with plans in motion to relocate overseas—either to Europe or to my mother’s homeland, the Philippines—I know I will find new ways to express myself through photography.

To those who have supported me, trusted me, and cheered me on over these past two decades—thank you. You’ve allowed me to build a career doing something I love. I’ve been blessed to share my art with you, to be part of your families, your teams, your milestones, and your memories. In my heart, I am still overflowing with creativity, and I was just hitting my stride with Sportraits—making a real impact in that space. But my body is telling me it’s time.

God bless you all—or whatever it is you hold dear. Thank you for allowing me to be your photographer. It has truly been an honor.

—Ronald James Smithson
Smithson Photography

05/14/2025

Hard Post. Honest Words.

Some of you may have noticed delays in my photography work, and I feel it’s time I shared the truth behind it — not to gain sympathy, but to offer understanding.

I’ve recently been officially approved for disability after a long and exhausting three-year process. Both my orthopedic specialist and the vocational expert — who actually testified against me at my hearing — agreed: I am no longer capable of performing even the simplest work-from-home or seated jobs. That includes editing images, replying to emails, and doing the behind-the-scenes work that so many don’t see.

It’s not just the physical side. My right hip is severely arthritic, my left hip and shoulder aren’t far behind, and even something as simple as sitting upright for long stretches can be brutal. After a photo session, it takes me days just to recover. Editing used to be my therapy — now, just cleaning up a single image (which can take 30 minutes or more) drains every ounce of strength I have.

Mentally, it’s just as hard. I’ve battled debilitating ADD, depression, and anxiety for years. When I’m overwhelmed, I don’t just shut down mentally — my body follows. It’s a paralysis of sorts, and it’s something I’ve been deeply ashamed to talk about. This is something I’ve long struggled with. Ever since I was a child. I’ve truly hated it. I wanted to do the work. I wanted to grind. But my mind simply won’t allow it.

And I know from the outside, it might look like I’ve gotten lazy. That I’ve stopped caring about deliverables or fulfilling promises. But I assure you — I care deeply. Probably too much. This business is my soul. I’ve spent 20 years building Smithson Photography from the ground up. And now trying to launch a new brand…well it seems an arduous task now. I finally found my niche. My passion. And now… it feels like I’m being forced to let it fizzle out.

Right now, I’m still working on all outstanding client work — just much more slowly than I’d like. I haven’t taken on new clients in over a month. The small income that helped me stay afloat with food, meds, and basic needs is all but gone. And while I haven’t fully shut down my business, I am being confronted with that possibility more and more.

I’m not someone who gives up. I don’t have “quit” in me. But I do have to start being honest about what my body — and mind — can and cannot do anymore.

Thank you to those who’ve been patient. Who’ve shown grace. Who understand that behind the camera, there’s a human being doing the absolute best he can.

With love and respect,

Ron

04/30/2025

With BradDeel_Sports – I just made it onto their weekly engagement list by being one of their top engagers! 🎉

04/24/2025

Come check out my newest branding for my sports portraits segment of my business. I love the name, the look, etc. I've worked really hard at the branding. So please, take a moment and like, follow and share with everyone you know. When you reach my page tap on the three dots to the right. You'll see an option to Invite Friends. Click on that and select all. It's that simple to support me and believe me when I say it means more than you know. So, please, help me get Game On Sports Portraits out there and in front of people. They'll love it! I just know it! Anywhere in the country...that doesn't matter. I travel.

04/20/2025

2025 Wylie High School Senior, Vance Flick. This is a link to the blog I created fort this amazing guy and his family!

04/17/2025

04/17/2025

I would add that the expert is ever-evolving. Stay open. Stay fresh. Never assume you have learned it all. 20 years ago, I picked up a camera and started shooting...everything...anything. I've never lost that. That's how I know I'm supposed to be doing this. My passion for creativity is as strong today as it ever was even as a child who was a decent sketch artist in my own right. I am an artist. I will bend the rules. I will NOT conform. Always be a beginner.

04/16/2025

I blog about the session experience with Brookiyn an 8th grade catcher that plays for the Texas Glory out of Decatur, TX. Come check it out! TexasGlory Fastpitch

https://thedfwphotographer.pic-time.com/_pt_a0hJ2gCxIi8AY

04/15/2025

📸✨ 20 Years Behind the Lens ✨📸

This month marks 20 years since I officially started my journey as a professional photographer—and wow, what a ride it’s been.

When I first picked up the camera professionally, I had no idea where this path would take me. Over the past two decades, I've grown in so many ways—not just as an artist, but as a business owner, a creative, and a human being. I've made my fair share of mistakes along the way, and I’ve learned some tough (but valuable) lessons. Every shoot, every client, and every challenge has shaped me into the photographer I am today.

Even now, I’m still learning. Still striving. I’ll be the first to admit that I’m not perfect. There are times when things don’t go as planned—whether due to life throwing curveballs or my own human error—but please know that I never stop working to improve. Each hiccup is an opportunity to grow, and I’m always taking steps to make sure those issues don’t happen again.

To everyone who has supported me—whether you've booked a session, shared my work, recommended me to a friend, or simply followed along on this journey—thank you. Your encouragement, trust, and patience have meant more than words can express.

For a limited time, I'm offering 20% OFF on all my packages to celebrate this amazing landmark.

Here’s to the next chapter. More creativity. More growth. And hopefully, more opportunities to capture epic moments and legendary images. 🙏❤️
With gratitude,
Ron Smithson
📷 Smithson Photography

04/11/2025

Loco-motion