Dean Fearing for Garden&Gun

Garden & Gun . May 2012. Dallas, Texas © Allison V. Smith

Rockstar Cook. February 2012. Dallas, Texas © Allison V. Smith

Collection. February 2012. Dallas, Texas © Allison V. Smith

Earlier this year I photographed rockstar chef Dean Fearing and his collection of quirky cookbooks for Garden & Gun Magazine. Check it out, on the stands now. I am thrilled with the full page layout!

Summer

Summer. Maine. 2011. © Allison V. Smith

Summer. Maine. 2011. © Allison V. Smith

Summer. Maine. 2011. © Allison V. Smith

A few things about the summer that I can't stop thinking about.

Van Cliburn auction

library.Fort Worth, Texas 2008© Allison V. Smith

RCA dog. Fort Worth, Texas 2008 © Allison V. Smith

Van Cliburn at home. Fort Worth, Texas 2008 © Allison V. Smith

sheets. Fort Worth, Texas 2008 © Allison V. Smith 

Chopin, Rachmaninoff. Fort Worth, Texas 2008 © Allison V. Smith

In 2008 I was assigned to photograph the charming night owl and pianist extraordinaire, Van Cliburn for the New York Times art section. The shoot, per his request, started after hours, 10:30pm if I remember correctly. I was sad to read that tomorrow Christie's is auctioning some of his possessions. Above are a few shots I made during our shoot.

In Their Own Hand

In Their Own Hand by Jerrie Marcus Smith. May 2012. © Allison V. Smith

In Their Own Hand by Jerrie Marcus Smith. May 2012. © Allison V. Smith

In Their Own Hand by Jerrie Marcus Smith. May 2012. © Allison V. Smith

In Their Own Hand by Jerrie Marcus Smith. May 2012. © Allison V. Smith

In Their Own Hand by Jerrie Marcus Smith. May 2012. © Allison V. Smith

Earlier this year I worked with my co-publisher and Mom (Happy Mother's Day) and my zine collaborator and designer Wendy Smith on a family recipe book project. In Their Own Hand, a collection of family recipes, photos and stories behind the chefs (my grandmother, great-grandmother, great aunts, etc) and their famous dishes or favorite drinks. I shot all the recipes and a few detail shots of the grease on the back the Cheese Cake recipe which we ended up using as the cover. Mother's Day seemed like the perfect day to share this book compiled, collected , written, and published by my magnificent mom who inspires me and supports me daily.

The Texas Kid.

The Texas Kid. 1986. Dallas, Texas © Allison V. Smith

One of my very first photo assignments was to photograph a stranger. I was in 10th grade and new to 35mm. My mom loaned me her Nikon FM for the photography class and I knew exactly who I wanted to photograph. His name was The Texas Kid, maybe you saw his house in True Stories (best movie ever ) or have seen his beautiful portrait hanging in The Meddelsome Moth. He was the real deal. I got an A+ on the assignment & my teacher encouraged me to go back and photograph more of him and his home. I returned the following week with my camera, a handful of prints and The Kid and I became friends.The making of this photograph and friendship taught me countless life long lessons that I continue to lean on.

Jeremy Laing in Dallas

Jeremy Laing. May 2012. Dallas, Texas © Allison V. Smith

Shamrock Hotel. May 2012. Dallas, Texas © Allison V. Smith

East Dallas Art Tour group. May 2012. Dallas, Texas © Allison V. Smith

Friends. May 2012. Dallas, Texas © Allison V. Smith

A few weeks back I got to eat Texas BBQ and give an east Dallas art tour with my V.O.D. Boutique friends and designer Jeremy Laing. Here are some photos from our fun afternoon. See Jeremy's Dallas journal on vogue.com.

Down With It

Feathers. Down Factory. May 2012. © Allison V. Smith

 Down Factory. May 2012. © Allison V. Smith

 Down Factory. May 2012. © Allison V. Smith

 Down Factory. May 2012. © Allison V. Smith 

 Down Factory. May 2012. © Allison V. Smith     

I love a factory. Last week I got to shoot in one that had me sneezing for two days straight. Check out today's WSJ on why the price of your favorite down jacket is about to go up.