Zoe Smythe spent over a decade as a designer in New York before turning to photography as a more personal, immediate creative outlet. Drawing from her fashion background, she crafts timeless, emotionally layered portraits\u2014shaping light, styling details, and weaving storytelling into every frame.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Q1. Congratulations on winning in the MUSE Photography Awards! Can you share a little about yourself, what inspired you to pursue photography, and how has your journey evolved since your first shot?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Thank you! Winning the MUSE Photography Awards is such an incredible honor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I grew up in a small town in Western Canada, studied fashion design in Vancouver, and spent over a decade working as a designer in New York before shifting my focus to photography. That transition happened naturally after the birth of my first child\u2014I wanted a creative outlet that felt more personal, more immediate. Photography became the perfect medium to channel my love of storytelling, design, and craftsmanship.<\/p>\n\n\n\n My background in fashion heavily influences my work. I love playing with fabrics, textures, and accessories to create customized, meaningful portraits that reflect my clients’ personalities. Whether it\u2019s a fine art editorial piece, an intimate portrait, or wedding photography, I approach every session with a designer\u2019s eye\u2014shaping light, styling details, and ensuring each image has depth, context, and emotion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n My goal is always to create something timeless, something that feels both curated and effortless.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n Q2. Can you share the story or inspiration behind your award-winning piece? How does winning this award make you feel about your journey in photography?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n This photoshoot was inspired by the enchanting paper moon portraits of the early 20th century, a nod to the whimsy and elegance of that era. My narrative portraits are always a co-creation with each client, and this series was no different\u2014we designed a dreamlike set together, drawing on late Victorian and early Art Deco influences. A striking five-foot crescent moon became the centerpiece, surrounded by soft clouds and twinkling stars to create an atmosphere of nostalgia and magic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This collaboration was truly a three-part co-creation\u2014the client, myself, and the artistry of a local antique jewelry store, which provided exquisite vintage diamond Art Deco pieces to elevate the styling. Every detail was intentional. The entire set was designed and customized for the shoot: the moon was hand-constructed and painted, the clouds carefully shaped, the stars lit from within to create a soft glow, and a hand-painted backdrop brought depth and texture. We even introduced a subtle layer of smoke to enhance the ethereal mood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Bringing this vision to life was an immersive creative process, and winning this award is an affirmation of the magic that happens when collaboration, storytelling, and craftsmanship come together.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n Q3. How do you decide which photo to submit for a competition?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n This photo is from a recent photoshoot, and I was absolutely thrilled with how everything came together so beautifully. From the handcrafted set to the vintage Art Deco jewelry and the dreamy atmosphere we created, it felt like a perfect fusion of storytelling and style.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When I saw the Fashion Photography \u2013 Vintage category, I knew this image belonged there. It embodied the essence of the era while remaining fresh and evocative\u2014exactly what I strive for in my work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n Q4. What first made you pick up a camera?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n I first picked up a camera as a way to capture the world around me, but it wasn\u2019t until later that I realized photography could be a deeper form of storytelling. Growing up in a small town in Western Canada, I was surrounded by artists and makers, which sparked my lifelong love of creating. My background in fashion design honed my ability to craft visual narratives, but it was after the birth of my first child that I truly embraced photography as my creative medium.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In the early days of the pandemic, with all my photography work postponed, I started staging elaborate portraits at night\u2014blending fashion, storytelling, and hands-on artistry. I experimented with handcrafted sets, styled my children in imaginative scenes, and used photography as both a creative outlet and a way to make sense of the world around me. Without realizing it at the time, I was developing my signature approach: narrative portraiture as a co-creative experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Photography allows me to communicate beyond words, to craft visual stories that feel both deeply personal and timeless. It\u2019s a way to connect, to celebrate individuality, and to create something that resonates long after the moment has passed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n Q5. What\u2019s your favorite type of photography, and why do you love it?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n My favorite type of photography is any form that tells a story\u2014whether it\u2019s narrative, portrait, fine art, wedding, or commercial. What I love most about storytelling in photography is that it gives me the opportunity to authentically capture the essence of my clients. Each shoot is a unique collaboration where I get to understand their personality, experiences, and vision, and transform that into a visual narrative that reflects who they are.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For me, it\u2019s not just about the images themselves, but about what they communicate\u2014the emotions, the context, the moment. Whether I\u2019m photographing a couple on their wedding day, a commercial brand, or a fine art portrait, my focus is always on capturing something meaningful, authentic, and true to the individual or story. It\u2019s this connection that makes every photo feel timeless and personal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n Winning Entry <\/p>\n\n\n\nVIntage Paper Moon Dream<\/a><\/h6>\n\n\n\n