“In search of turning the ordinary into something extraordinary”

Hi, I’m Kelsey Smith, a film photographer based in Macon, Georgia! My work blends documentary, editorial, fine art, and street photography, rooted in themes of childhood nostalgia, fleeting youth, the passage of time, and quiet societal shifts. I’m drawn to the spaces between moments. The ones that feel both timeless and fleeting, mundane yet profound.

My style merges contemporary storytelling with classic film aesthetics, creating images that feel both familiar and dreamlike. Whether I’m photographing a small town street corner or a wedding bathed in golden light, my goal is always the same: to capture something real, emotional, and enduring.

I’m best known for my long term project Please, Don’t Leave Me, a body of work that documents my hometown of Macon, Georgia through highly saturated pastels and intimate, cinematic imagery. The series has been exhibited in New York galleries, received recognition from leading photography brands, and is available as a limited edition photo book.

If you’d like to stay connected, you can subscribe to my newsletter for updates on upcoming exhibitions, book releases, new prints, and special offers in my shop. You can also find me on Instagram and other social platforms, where I share behind the scenes looks at new projects, travels, and the occasional quiet moment in between.

To learn more about my creative process and what drives my work, you can read my full interview with Lomography.