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image is everything…




let’s be honest…
It’s a strapline I used when originally setting up area23 in 1997. To a certain degree it’s still true today and maybe even more so with the increased social media outlets that didn’t even exist when I started. Back then I think I was producing some pretty cool work for the time and had some great clients over a 10+ year spell that included Pro-Direct, Snowboard UK, Kangaroo Poo and Ignite Beanies to name a few.
For me, it’s always started with an idea, be it an image, or a headline. Waking up in the night and thinking of that great concept and needing to write it down. Having some creative vision is bit of a gift I guess and I like to use that in any way I can. Producing branding, advertising concepts, magazines and more has been a big passion. But photography has always been at the core of my creativity, be it sourcing the right image, creating it or manipulating something to fit the brief. I’ve loved cameras from an early age from a little Halina 110 that my gran bought me when I was around 9 or 10 to the Fujifilm X series mirrorless cameras I use now.
After a very tough time over the last 5 years that included losing my son to suicide in 2019, then the pandemic affecting my full time publishing job from 2020 [that’s still not recovered to pre-pandemic level] and my mental health suffering massively through all of this there are some things that have kept me going. Photography, Design, DJing and Cycling. [Friends and family are a given of course!]
I’ve decided to keep these things at the heart of what I do going forward and especially want to do much more photography of different kinds. There is so much to learn but essentially it’s about having an eye for a nice image. I think I have that, and hope you’ll agree too.
This site will be where I share as much of my varied work as I can. If you need some images, design work or anything on the DJing and Cycling Event support, just give me a call or email and we can have a chat, or meet for a coffee [and probably cake] to discuss how we can deliver what you need.
The blog
a few stories and features when I remember to write them or have something I would love to show you.
- Hello world!Yeah, the standard WP blog post. I’m gonna write some stuff soon. Honest. No really I will.
Views from the streets:
I’ve been using the evening dog walks for practicing street photography. It’s been fun looking at the area I live in a different way.


Looking for new photography work for 2025 and beyond in sports, events, portraits. If you’re looking for personal or commercial images, please get in touch.
Martin Smith
Designer | Photographer | Art Director