Meet Zachary Smith

We had the good fortune of connecting with Zachary Smith and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Zachary, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking.
I’ve always been a risk taker — it kind of comes with the territory when you’re a photographer navigating Hollywood’s shifting landscape. For years, I traveled from city to city, shooting with clients, sometimes knowing I wouldn’t make a profit. I did it to build my brand and keep my name circulating. Then the strikes hit, and much of the acting industry went overseas, making everything harder to sustain.

That’s when I knew I had to evolve. I started experimenting with new formats: shooting video, putting myself in front of the camera, and leaning into being not just a photographer, but a personality. That shift opened new doors — including one I never expected. I was invited by the tourism sector of the Chinese government to act as a travel ambassador through Gansu: photographing, filming, modeling, and sharing my experiences with media outlets along the Silk Road.

Yes, people in my support circle raised concerns: the political climate, the legitimacy of the opportunity, the risk of stepping away from my core market. But I said yes without hesitation — because risk isn’t new to me. When you’re building something from scratch, you learn to solve problems on the fly. That mindset took me across deserts, into ancient towns, onto international stages — and ultimately changed my life.

Now, I’m proud to call myself a global travel ambassador. I collaborate with governments and brands to document and share immersive cultural experiences. That opportunity only came because I took a leap — one that turned out to be the best decision I’ve made in years.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
What sets me apart is my love for resolution. I’m always looking for the conflict — not to create drama, but to understand the story. Whether I’m helping a client uncover what’s missing from their professional presence or capturing the tension of a quiet street in a foreign city, I treat every frame as a question, and every composition as a pursuit of clarity.

My photography, especially when I’m traveling, is built around emotional contrast. I might frame a subject in shadow, only to let the viewer discover where the light comes in. Whether I’m behind the camera or in front of it, I shape my visuals to answer a question — one the viewer may not even realize they had. That’s what makes the experience memorable.

Getting here wasn’t easy. I moved through countless jobs — barista, security guard, background actor — just to stay afloat while chasing a bigger dream. It wasn’t until I embraced that discomfort, and the lessons that came with it, that my career truly began to evolve.

I’ve learned that consistency and curiosity are more valuable than comfort. That art isn’t just something you make — it’s something you live. My work now spans continents and mediums, but the intention is always the same: to connect people with place, emotion, and each other.

What I want the world to know about me and my brand is this: I don’t just create content — I create connection. I don’t just take pictures — I preserve experiences. And as a travel ambassador, I get to invite the world along for the ride.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If a close friend visits me in LA, I’m pulling out all the stops to give them the full spectrum of the city — from the iconic to the underground. First thing I do is check out 1iota.com to see what movie and TV tapings or red carpet premieres are happening. It’s a great way to dive into Hollywood without spending a dime, and it’s a unique local experience.

We’d start with a day in West Hollywood, walking down Melrose to see the art, murals, and cool local shops, before heading to Fairfax for the farmers market, vintage stores, and the legendary Jet Rag $1 parking lot sale on Sundays. We’d wrap that day with a drink at The Grove to catch sunset vibes.

Next up: Echo Park. Swan boats, scenic walks, and a stop at Monty’s Good Burger for incredible vegetarian food. After that, we’d explore vintage boutiques in the area.

For a more cultural day, we’d hit Downtown LA — starting with The Last Bookstore, then Chinatown for unique jewelry and art, and finally walk to Little Tokyo for sushi at the conveyor belt spot with robot servers. We’d end the night with a sunset stroll through the Arts District and catch golden hour at the rooftop park above The Row DTLA.

Sunsets are sacred in LA, so we’d rotate between a few iconic spots: Griffith Observatory for a telescope view of the stars, Venice Beach for the drum circle, Santa Monica for live karaoke by the pier, and Lake Hollywood Park for that close-up, chill view of the Hollywood sign.

Every day would mix exploration with vibes. I want people to feel LA the way I do — layered, cinematic, and always full of hidden gems.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Back in 2017, I had just moved back to America after living in Switzerland for five years. I spent four months backpacking across Europe, guided by intuition, open conversations, and this subtle feeling of always being in the right place at the right time. Fellow travelers often said I reminded them of the boy from The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho, with the way I spoke about leading with intention and letting the Universe lead me to my treasures.

It wasn’t until I returned to the U.S. and started working as a barista, security guard, and background actor that the book really hit me. I was working a long shift in a parking lot before a Childish Gambino concert when I finally finished reading it—and everything clicked. I realized my life could shift with a clear intention.

I said out loud that I wanted to see Gambino perform instead of hearing him from a distance, and by the time the concert started, they moved me to front row barricade where Swae Lee opened the show while leaning on my shoulder. That moment taught me the power of intention. That same day, I set my mind on becoming a full-time creator.

The Alchemist gave me the spiritual spark, but Robert Greene’s Mastery gave me the structure. These books helped to focus my energy and inspired me to seek out an apprenticeship with a master of visuals. One intentional walk through Hollywood later, I found Bjoern Kommerell and began learning under him at BK Headshots.

These books, that walk, and the global community of curious wanderers I met along the way gave me the foundation to not only become a visual storyteller, but to walk confidently into my calling as a global travel ambassador.

Website: https://Zenematic.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zacharyismith/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/zacharyismith

Image Credits
Primary Photo by Tim Coto
Photos of Gansu, China by Zachary I Smith