Meet Terrance (Terry) Smith | Photographer & Yoga Instructor

We had the good fortune of connecting with Terrance (Terry) Smith and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Terrance (Terry), where are your from? We’d love to hear about how your background has played a role in who you are today?
Originally, I am from South East San Diego, in the Emerald Hills neighborhood, a place that is very near and dear to my heart. This is a place that was historically red lined and in its place, a thriving African-American community that persist despite a lack of political representation to support them. This spirit of resistance is something that defines me as I make my way in and around San Diego in support of liberation through the strength of the community around me. Black San Diego, as defined a 6% of the city, is a community that can be very distant from each other, with no defined cultural hub or landscape that represents our collective direction, a fact that impacts the way that I interact with this city on a daily basis.

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.
I am an artist (so I am sensitive about my expression!). I have gone through many iterations of my art (primarily as a Photographer) and it has really revealed much about the stages and phases that I am in life, it has always assumed form and taught me much more about my subconscious state than I have probably given it credit for. I started out as a Portrait Photographer when I was stationed in Washington, D.C., taking in Chocolate City’s faces and really capturing the cities creatives, going so far as to hosting communal photoshoots where you could find some of D.C’s finest creators galavanting and expressing childlike wonder. Living in Germany brought me into the landscape side of photo, being able to bring emotion to Old European sights became a new muscle for me to flex and it really helped develop my eye away from color and into composition. From their, my sights were set on the Kingdom of Hawai’i and capturing her beauty, finally releasing the rules of photography and stepping into my light as a creator and story teller; I dream in pinks and greens, pretty pastels paint my eyes and fill my lens. My takeaway is liberation; in the macro and micro sense of the world is where I find liberation is happening at any moment and it is up to us to seek it out and in that inquiry will we find the evidence to support our very own liberation.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
If I am making a travel itinerary, it will probably start with a morning Yoga flow at Yogabox (my home studio is North Park) or a short stroll through the neighborhood to get Coffee at Holsem Cafe. We are definitely getting food at Soi on 30th (incredible Thai Pork Belly), Shank & Bone (Khruangbin playing while Vietnamese food is served) or Thanh Tinh Chay (156 Vegan options). I am a lover of San Diego history, a stroll through Chicano Park is a necessity as we pop in for afternoon Tea at NG Apothecary Herb Shop & Tea Bar in Barrio Logan, then a ride up through Balboa Park for a sunset picnic near the Marston House. From here, I am probably popping in to see the homies & uncles at Quiet Storm Roasters & Bakery in Hillcrest (these are literally my stomping grounds) and depending on the day, Winyl Club in the park (Summer Season), Studio Sessions down in Barrio Logan (Future is Color) or back down to Part Time Lover for my usual Japanese Lager (thanks for those occasional free beers!). You can tell I spend a ton of time around North Park, San Diego. Honorable mentions are Gooseberries Kafe in Hillcrest for Brunch, Longplay HiFi for Listening Bar tunes, City Farmers Nursery for a stroll through a garden, Day-to-Day Vintage and La Loupe (Adams Ave.) for thrifting!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Sheesh. The list is long and I will try my hardest to fit you in here. I would 100% have to say that much of the credit of my story goes to the women that surround and have surrounded me, rather that be my sisters in the Kingdom of Hawai’i that nourished my soul after leaving a decade in the Army, or my sisters here in San Diego that have kept me accountable and empowered, the line of women and men in my ancestry rejoice with joy at how held I am in my community around me. My Quiet Storm Roasters & Bakery family that support me every single day and keep me nourished and well in love, being a Barista here continues to serve me far much more than the coffee I serve to regulars. Thank you Matthew for your constant philosophies in life, Ayana for your constant Love and integrity, Nia for showing me that forgiveness is a state of being, Jerry for your Vulnerability, Julian for your Mentorship and Brotherhood, Jeena for showing me that Childhood is always with us, Marcus for seeing me as an older brother and inviting me into my 30’s with that role, Evita for never giving up on me, Dolly for reminding me that Love knows no conditions, Elijah for being Home away from Home, Syee for being Solace, and to my SLAA fellowship for saving my life. I always wanna thank my Mama, my therapist Dr. Terri and Shanelle, my fellow Veterans (Nicki and Maury) and my cats for keeping me sane!

Website: neighborhoodterry.squarespace.com

Instagram: neighborhoodterry