Amongst them...

Of the 36 images I shot of Dylan Monroe two weekends ago, the sexy Motel pics and
public nudity images...this one image I find very powerful. We were at one of my favorite locations and happened upon this environmental scene of a homeless person's dining room. Notice the carefully placed concrete pieces, the magazine, Styrofoam container and Campbell's soup can.

Dylan was so much fun, we truly connected on an intimate, sexy and even humorous human level. I'm so glad that we finally got together, we've been trying to make this happen for almost two years.

Golden Boy

This kid is golden, that's for sure. I'm so impressed with Joel...he's read all the magazine articles, website info and blog...very cool when someone does their research. He's one of 9 Tennessean children. These images are from this past weekend. It was raining here in San Diego and I've finally found a local Muse that's as crazy as I am...he even jumped into the river, I love it! Haha! Well, here's some images from our wet day.

Make art, make peace!

~Terry

It's OUT!!!

Carbon Copy by CLIENT Magazine.
www.clientmagazine.eu

Peace to the World!

Sam & Bob in San Francisco...

PARIS!

Paris drove down from Redlands...an amazing shoot, red wine, feeling fine...making art, erotic & wild..."freedom of expression". It's fun to explore in creativity, when collaborating with a fellow-Creative, anything's possible. What is art? Are we art? Is art, art? Make love, Make ART!

featured in CONTRA

http://thinkcontra.com/blog/terry-smith-americas-finest-kids/

Keith the MAN!

This is one of the photos from a quick shoot with Keith, weekend before last. It's been an amazing privilege to watch him grow in front of my camera for four years now.

Carbon Copy by CLIENT Magazine

Look for my publication, out soon!
www.clientmagazine.eu

Terry Smith

God bless America!

There is so much to say, what I feel really can't be put into words. Today I was stoked to see the amazing documentary film, titled: Jean Michel Basquiat:
THE RADIANT CHILD, it is an amazing story about a boy from Brooklyn, New York...how he stunned the Art World...his life cut too short though. I hope we reflect more, I think of my friends there in New York...the World needs to learn to love more, make love and make art...


Sincerely,

~Terry

At the Moment

Still here at the moment, not sure for how much longer though. Lately, each day I awake...think it may be my last. No Van Gogh references needed. There are so many things I'd like to say, but I just don't feel like putting it all out in the form of a Blog. So, that said...when you the Blog reader no longer see photos going up or rants from me...you'll know that perhaps, somethings...

People come to me, all excited...want to give me money to help finish my film...then, nothing happens. The expressions on faces, the way people walk and talk...humanity. Last night the film PATRICK 1.5, I saw it at the KEN Theater. The Swedes know Art, how to make it...how to tell a story. The movies are an escape for me. My drive is mostly gone, stripped of ambition...and yet, I stay the course...more often than not, I want to tell people to fuck off...then also, I feel like a little boy who's lost his way and then, there's the familiar image in my mind...a place where I used to play all day in the Sun...no worries, nothing to burden me down...simply adventure.

I think of some of the Blogs that people put my images on, they fantasize and write what they think and what they feel...they don't get it, hardly anyone gets it.

Men, driven by the blood in their penis, or the lack in their own existence...wanting what they see in a photograph...it's gone, doesn't last for long...trust me. Life, now there's something with TRUE VALUE. Hmmmm, what'cha gonna do with Life? All these different belief systems, brain wash, art, violence, terrorism, expression, ice cream...it's not all the same...Hmmmm, Birth! Birth, now that's PURE. The creation of something new, that which is innocent, not guilty of having an opinion or expression or mood...simply, Breathe IN.

~Terry

a new day

today is a new day and I hope that people will embrace that which is good and no longer mis-lead and lie...that art will continue to live and flourish and produce more creativity borne from the soul, freely expressed...without fear and full of truth...

The Greyhound brought Fernando

The Greyhound Bus brought Fernando to San Diego...we got a Motel room, damn...even Motel 6 is expensive these days. It must be tourist season...yup, that's it. Well, he was a lot of fun...we shot around the room, did some fun pics in the water and some outdoors as well. He's cool.....

What about Dylan

Two weekends ago Dylan's Dad paid for he and I to have a Motel room, to chill and hang out. Dylan needed to get away from his environment, is thinking of moving to San Diego. I've known him since his senior year in high school...we've photographed and filmed before, however...this time it was different. A few months ago I was getting ready for a trip to San Francisco, Dylan was interested in coming with...then one day on the phone he told me something had happened, he was going into re-hab for heroine addiction. I said, "so...what happened to get you hooked on heroin, did someone rape you?" Immediately he began to cry, saying that yes...someone had raped him. Over the weeks to come, we talked back and forth about the what had happened and he wanted to spend time with me, doing another shoot...nudes and fun, sexy stuff...also he agreed to open up on-camera, sharing about the rape and addiction.

This was a powerful weekend, we had a good time...he was very relaxed...we also shot around the city. I love this kid, he's been through a lot but he's doing much better now...I hope that I can finish this film, people keep shining me on...the Gallery in Los Angeles has flaked...they're trying to get Gus Van Sant to open their new location...the "Art World" fucking doesn't make sense...people are so fucking shallow and predictable...whatev. Any who, it's a release, it's pure and transparent, my photography and life experiences...the youth are real, life is real...ain't it all just so very grand.

The boys met in San Francisco...

The boys met in San Francisco...we made art for a few days...it was fun, creative and at times stressful for myself. Some things didn't go as planned, but all in all it was another great experience staying at Jimmy's place, the William Westerfield House. We walk and we walked and then...walked some more. I photographed Stellar with the Golden Gate Bridge in the background. It was almost "therapeutic", I'm still emotionally attached to the memory of Bray. Sam flew from Canada to be with us, Jesse moved back to San Francisco after living in Texas for awhile. I picked Stellar up in Pasadena, he'd been there a few days...took a bus from Las Vegas to Cali.
Here are a few pics from our time together.

LIMITED TIME ONLY, PROMO BOOK AVAILABLE

....AT: WWW.BLURB.COM
SEARCH: AMERICA'S FINEST KIDS

NOTE: Zander is not fully nude in this, so that'll make him happy that I've cleared it up...when you see the actual book...the INDEX page lists all the images and who is in each picture.

So, if you want this book...get it now, not sure how long I'll have it up on Blurb. Some people tell me to re-design it, cut it in half for fashion people, others tell me to leave it as is for the art people, others say this or that...well, what the fuck ever ya know...it's just for promo for a short while...I'll have a book published eventually by someone like TASCHEN, a Publishing House with some real ballz!

Okay, that's fucking that....
Peace,

~Terry

TOM NICON & MODEL/ACTOR/YOUTH SUICIDES

This morning as I signed onto my hotmail account, got my daily bulletin/update from MODELS.COM, it was sad to read through the comments regarding the passing of the Model, Tom Nicon. I did not know this young man...but have learned some of the possible reasons for him taking his life. People have all kinds of ideas about why others take their lives...I've lost too many friends this way. In my documentary it's a bit of a juxtaposition...including sexuality, innocence and suicide in the over all story.

Of course one must live a life first before being in a state of mind to consider and then end it. There must be a strong foundation for us to fall back on as we mature and move on in this life...it's never easy and often times can be overwhelmingly impossible to understand, and yet, living...the simple act of it has value. We the human race, come from all walks of life, cultures...some are familiar to us and some ways of life seem and feel incredibly foreign.

For many years I have said that all things in this World revolve around the reality of "relationships". Regardless of where we are or what we do, it's something we all deal with, accepting, rejecting, embracing, rejoicing in relationships...each and every day.

Models and those that dream of the "Celluloid lifestyle"...all have value, it sometimes appears only to be surface or superficial...the Industry of modeling, the Fashion World, Art World, Entertainment Industry...it's all about money, power, sex and ego...where is the real value? Clothing is clothing, Art is Art, a Film goes away in 90 minutes...it will be and has always been "the relationship". Humanity, we are amazingly complex and beautiful creators...truly from the inside out. We're drawn to the surface, but what really connects is the emotion, feeling, love which comes from within.

Regardless of our own desires for that which is superficial, sexy and fun...let's never ever become so limited in our human experience that we forget our humanity.

Let's all perpetuate life!

Sincerely,

Terry Smith

You can eat a meal at WENDY'S for only $2.70

Wow, what a value! I'm budgeting my days...getting ready for my week up in San Francisco...it'll be nice to see my friends up north and it'll be nice for those coming to see me...the road trip should be beautiful...I love the scenery of this amazingly beautiful State of California. Folk music, Bob Dylan or Woody Guthrie...hmmm, both are fine for the road...TOOL and Hendrix too. Well...I gotta say I'm thinking of Dylan...definately one of "America's Finest Kids"...such a loving, caring human being...this is a pic from one of our shoots. Peace to you my friend.

~Terry

Thinking of BRAY

I'm thinking of Bray, he would be 21 tomorrow...I'm sad because some people that are supposed to be a friend...they just fucking don't get it. Sure, I love what I do, I take pictures of beautiful young guys...so, does that mean I can't enjoy my life. There is a price to pay, to create art, make friends with those that are younger...those that think I'm "the shit"...(a compliment)...they love my photography and sometimes they love me too. Who knows, maybe I will finish this film...maybe not. All I know is photography keeps me alive; being alive can be a good thing. I wish Bray was here so I could hold him...walk on the beach and reflect on what's going on...all around us.

Selah,

~T

meet Ernest from NEW MEXICO

This is Ernest, about 3 weeks ago he flew to San Diego to shoot and film with me...also he shot with Kevin Medina-Esquival. So, I picked him up at the airport and we went to the Apartment in Hillcrest that a friend fixed me up with for 4 days...seeing as how I lost my elder care job...the old man got put in a nursing home and his son was an ass-hole and just booted me out. Oh' well, guess he did me a favor.

Ernest is so cool, we had a blast photographing in color and in black & white, I still shoot 35mm ya know. He had fun making out with Kevin; interesting pics we got. We walked around the City, day and at night...taking all kinds of pictures, I set up a studio in the living room, we shot in the bedroom, bathroom. He wanted to do something in the shower or tub, so I fixed him up with "Mr. Bubble", lol

I really feel that he has great potential as a Model or as an Actor, really cool personality...almost a Brando'esque kinna attitude. Ernest can also be very theatrical as we did some light make up and he wore fish net, very sexy and wild. Okay everyone...

pEaCe OuT!

~T

Tennessean

Yes Sir, just photographed another boy from Tennessee...something must be in the muddy water. I got a message from photographer Ethan James, told me about Nathan's in San Diego...leaving next day, may want to do a shoot.
I called him up on the phone, we decided to do a shoot together...picked him up at the Marriott, his plans here had fallen through. We shot most of the images at the bridges, one of my fave places to shoot graffiti...love the lighting. Funny thing is, a family rode by on their bicycles, haha...got a "free show"! We had a good time and got along well...it was nice to clean up at his fancy room, got on with my evening and he packed for the Limo's early morning pick up.

I wanna be da PRESIDENT of tha UNITED STATES OF AMERICANA

Life's a trip, livn da Car, maik daART... e VENT ually a MILL onion aire!!!

Art made @ Jimmy's Hizzle in San Francisco!

It's the week after my trip to San Francisco. This trip I didn't get to meet with Bray's Mom, but I will soon. Also, Mark Gregg's Dad passed away, Judith is now without her son and husband...God love and bless these women.

As for the road trip up to meet Jimmy...way cool, as is he! Thanks Phil for driving there and back, 'much love Amigo'! The William Westerfield House is amazing...we talked, drank red, red wine till about 5am...slept beddy beddy good.

So many stories of life in San Fran, Jimmy is a living breathing history book, an incredible character and a great new friend! We walked around the City on Saturday, photographing Daniel, then at home in his room...that was a lot of fun!

Then, Javier came from San Jose and stayed with me Saturday night, we photographed that night and then early on Sunday morning. He was a blast...here he is at a window in one of the rooms in the mansion.

~T

a Fun photo shoot with Kevin M. in America's Finest City!

Well, well, well...what a Fun weekend! Kevin is so cool, so much fun to be able to do this his first 'provacative photo shoot'.

We started off as I often do to get to know him, we played frisbee at Balboa Park.

He's pretty damn good at it too! It's amazing how many people don't even know how to throw a round piece of plastic, LOL

Location, location, location...as they say in the 'Movie business'! We photographed around my favorite spots in North & Southpark...at the bridges, my good friend's house as well...here are a few images from our day, hope you enjoy!

The weekend in a mirror...

Wow, it's 2010 already!!! This is an image from me and Scottie's weekend...it was Christmas, he's homeless in Hollywood...came to Cali to be a Model, from Tennessee.

Me, well...you know my story.

We had so much fun, a highlight was going to see Tom Ford's new film opening Christmas...it's A Single Man. AWESOME, gotta check it out!!!

It was so nice to spend time with Scottie, to relax and just have fun. Before I took him to catch his Greyhound Bus back to Hollywood, he talked to the camera...told his story in brief, 'wearing briefs', lol...but it was moving, compelling and real.

I love this guy, he's cool...a good Kid, just can't go home...it ain't so good for him there.

Let's all love more, try not to hate, embrace life...bless people, make art & make love!!!

~T