Annie Lila Smith has an extraordinary eye for finding moments where characters and landscapes combine and create something truly wonderful. These are often natural, vast spaces with joyous, carefree characters, combined to create narrative, and often whisk the viewer away into a slight fantasy of endless sunshine, close friends, and carefree moments in time.
She recently had a major solo exhibition called "Anything Butt" across Dunsborough and Fremantle, and we had the pleasure of processing some of the photos that would make their way into the exhibition. We're always stunned by the quality of Annie's photos, and seeing them meticulously printed, framed and presented in her exhibition was truly a treat. The care, energy and effort that went into the project was incredibly inspiring, and we were lucky enough to ask Annie a few questions about the process!
FP :: heya Annie! A big congratulations on your recent exhibition "Anything Butt" We were super stoked to get along to the Fremantle portion and see some of these incredible works printed and presented so perfectly. What was the theme of the exhibition and how did the body of work begin to take shape?
Annie :: Thank you, so stoked ! It's been a long term project I accidentally started on a trip to Wedge island where I captured images of my sister and her boyfriend running through the dunes.
I loved the way their bare skin looked against the sand, it was so striking. I began exploring this human/natural landscape connection and it ended up taking me on a 5 year long journey.
Shooting in the surf, islands, rocks, fields. It was nice to not have a deadline, just whenever the landscape/subject aligned, we captured it. Above all else, the project was about having fun in nature and I think we achieved that.
FP :: You have such a knack for photographing people using natural light and natural surroundings. When I think of your work it feels fun, spacious and wonderfully candid. Have you always been drawn to making these sorts of photos? Does the natural world and human connection have equal importance to you or does one or the other mean more?
Annie :: Thank you! Very bloody sweet of you. I guess my style has evolved over the years but yes, capturing candid good times is always at the heart of it.
There is a lot of dark shit in the world so I like putting out there work that is warm and uplifting. I think the natural world and human connection go hand in hand. We are all living and breathing. I wanted these images to remind people that we are no different from the trees, the animals on land and in the sea.
I wanted it to be a reminder to love and protect our fragile environment.
FP :: For 'Anything Butt,' what's the gear that you shot most of this exhibition with?
Annie :: A mix of film and digi. For film I shoot on a Canon AE-1 with Kodak 200, I love the warmth of Kodak. For digital I shoot on my Canon r5 Mark ii. I’m also showing a short film shot on Super 8 on my Canon 814. This girl does not travel light..
FP :: How long have you been taking photographs for? What's the draw to shooting film and how do you decide whether you'll pick up a digital camera or a film camera when going out and making pictures?
Annie :: I have been shooting on film since I was 14. It has always been a passion of mine ever since I can remember, I guess I always naturally gravitated towards it. I used to carry around a little book where I had written 3 different settings options for indoor/cloudy/sunlight, it was a great way to learn and really helped me wrap around how cameras worked.
I dove deep into digital photography for many years but whenever possible I try to strip back the gear and just bring my film camera. Especially when I'm on holidays, it makes me stay way more present. (also way less time in post!!)
FP :: Any advice for any photographers that may want to capture a nude portrait? It's often such a delicate and intimate space to engage with. What's important when looking to capture a nude photograph and what are some things a photographer should think about when photographing nudes?
Annie :: Creating a comfortable space and setting boundaries before the shoot! I always start by outlining what I want to capture, why and where it will end up.
I always let my model know that they will be able to see the images before they go anywhere just to confirm their permission. Most of the nudes I capture are activity based, I love this because it gets people out of their head and into their body.
Being nude is normal as fuck and sometimes you just have to sprint off the end of a jetty and do bombie to remember that. Also sometimes I join them and get nude too haha
FP :: Thank you so much for chatting with us! We all really enjoy your work here at the lab and are super impressed by the energy and effort you've gone to get this exhibition together! A huge congratulations again x
Annie :: Thank you Chris and your beautiful team. I am in awe of the community you have created and the positive and inclusive space you hold. Keeping doin you xx
Be sure to follow Annie on Instagram & check out more of her work!