The Pell City Library proudly presents the photographs of Jerry C. Smith , which will be on display throughout the month of November in the library.  A seasoned traveler, and avid photographer, Smith’s works capture the rich beauty of our state, and its history.

Mr. Smith’s interest in photography began in his teens, and at the age of nineteen, he purchased his first serious camera, a Tower 35 mm rangefinder from Sears.  Working in the graphics department of a local print shop, he continued to develop his skills.  In the early 1980’s, after taking various classes in photography at the University of Alabama and Samford University, he began a small freelance company called Consumer Photo.  In this business, he covered thousands of trades shows, shot wedding and graduation photos and various stock photos.  

Now at the age of seventy, he has turned to photography as more of a hobby than a profession, finding it more enjoyable to travel throughout the state, taking candid shots of nature and wildlife, and pictures of historical sites along the way.  He has taken literally thousands of pictures, including shots of all seventy of the state’s official county courthouses.  

“Like so many others, I’ve mostly forsaken film, in favor of digital photography,” admits Jerry.  “Almost all the photos displayed here (in the Pell City Library) were recorded in that medium.”

Jerry currently has two books in print, “Uniquely St. Clair,” and “Growing Up in the Magic City.”  He also writes historical and other stories for Discover St. Clair magazine.

Jerry Smith’s works will be on display throughout the month of November at the Pell City Library.