"Ready for a Close-Up?" 

Ernest J. Smith is the name and I'm the owner and photographer of Gentleman of Distinction Photography, LLC.  A brief summary about myself, I'm a graduate of The Art Institute of Charlotte with a Bachelor's Degree in Photography and a born-native of Columbia, South Carolina.  I fell in love with photography around 2010 as it became my overall niche.

 When fellow students allowed me to photograph them and their projects for school; portraiture, fine cuisine, and fashion photography became my favorites. I was inspired by the works of Photography Legends, Gordon Parks and Ansel Adams. With the monochromatic (black and white) scheme Adams mastered and the creative outlook Parks visualized, it was an inspiration for me to embark on a similar journey but follow my own path.

 With over 15 years of professionalism, I decided to turn my passion into my profession and operate my own business. Photography has engaged a positive outlook on my mental health, so therefore I take my job as a photographer very seriously.

Inspiration from my mother and sister allow me to further advance in my career. They taught/teach me to always allow myself to reach new heights when it comes photography and related media outlets. As the son of a single mother and an older brother to an autistic young adult, I value the respect of women who value and respect themselves. 

With every photo I take I believe it inspires the world to become a little bit better.  Understanding that we change the world with every thought, action, and moment to remember, I feel as though that's part of my formula for success. While the world seems to always be in a state of chaos, I believe peace and harmony are needed so that we can survive. Now that you know a few details about me, let the Photographing begin!

(Contact me to see personal work not included on website)