Toby Smith

About

Toby Smith works internationally on collaborative, commissioned and personal projects concerning climate change, conservation and the environment. Toby has over 12 years of experience within photography – working strategically in across the editorial, academic, research, campaign and creative sectors.

Toby is part employed by Climate Outreach as the Climate Visuals Programme Lead and Media Liaison – with a strategic goal of expanding their presence, influence and impact in the visual economy. He uses an evidence-based approach to catalyse a more compelling and diverse visual language for climate change.

Toby is also sole Director of Shoot Unit Ltd, working direct in a freelance capacity on assignments and time-limited projects. Toby graduated with a Masters in Photography from London College of Communication in 2008. This was after spending time employed both in the British Army Infantry and 2 years of field work across Africa utilising his bachelors degree in Environmental Science.

Toby was the inaugural Artist in Residence of the University of Cambridge Conservation Research Institute for 2015/16 and remains an associate scholar. Kindly funded by the Leverhulme Trust the residency had an inter-disciplinary theme that sought out new visual paths to tackle important conservation challenges. Toby continues to collaborate with the Cambridge Conservation Initiative, the Department of Geography and was invited to join Wolfson College as a Senior Member.

Toby is available for public or private consultation using a solid research and evidence base to offer informed, accurate and impactful advice or directly product impactful climate change imagery. Toby has a broad network of photography partners, agencies, image libraries and contributors alongside strategic partnerships within the media and editorial sectors.

As a photographer, Toby embraces a range of traditional imaging and innovative video techniques tailored to the objectives, story and audience. Starting with critical research into audience, narrative and placement – he moves between large format photography for exhibition and print, full production video for broadcast and also Ultra HD Time Lapse or animation for web and new-media usage.

Toby also has a personal interest in the effective publishing of his work embedded with online mapping and geo-location which has lead to grants from National Geographic, The Royal Photographic Society and partnerships with institutions, academics and NGO’s on numerous field trips.

CURRENT LOCATION

Curriculum Vitae

Education

  • 1999
    Officer Training Cadre – Royal Military Academy Sandhurst
  • 2003
    BSc Zoology and Environmental Science – University of Nottingham
  • 2008
    Ma Photography – London College of Communication, University of the Arts, London
  • 2013
    Lecturer at Prince’s Teaching Institute – Geographic Case Studies
  • 2015
    University of Cambridge Conservation Institute - Artist in Residence
  • 2016
    Wolfson College, Cambridge - Senior Member
  • 2016
    University of Cambridge Conservation Institute - Associate Scholar

Selected Clients

  • National Geographic
  • GEO Magazine
  • Environmental Investigation Agency
  • Global Witness
  • The New York Times
  • TIME Magazine
  • BBC
  • Fortune
  • Sky News HD
  • The Guardian
  • Intelligent Life Magazine
  • Mail on Sunday
  • Patek Philippe Magazine
  • The Saturday Times
  • The Sunday Times
  • Creative Review
  • Scottish and Southern Energy
  • Stern Magazine
  • ABC News
  • Canon
  • London Development Agency
  • Eyestorm
  • Al Jazeera
  • The New Yorker
  • Lloyds Bank
  • Royal Geographic Society
  • Circle of Blue
  • O2
  • VCCP
  • V&A
  • R/GA Creative Agency
  • Solvay Sustainable Foundation
  • Amnesty International
  • The New Scientist
  • Maersk Shipping
  • Luc Hoffman Institute
  • WWF International
  • The British Trust for Ornithology
  • Centre for Ecology, Development and Research
  • South Asia Institute of Advanced Studies
  • The Endangered Landscapes Program
  • ESPA
  • NERC
  • ESRC
  • Museum of Zoology, Cambridge
  • Arcadia Foundation
  • Department of Plant Science, Cambridge
  • Department of Geography, Cambridge
  • SIEMENS
  • Canon EMEA
  • Good Energy
  • Tortoise Media

Selected Awards

  • 2007
    AOP Student Photographer of the Year
  • 2009
    Nikon Discovery Awards, University Prize
  • 2009
    Shots Directory, Young Photographer of the Year
  • 2009
    PX3 Awards, 1st and 2 2nd places and honourable mention across 4 categories
  • 2009
    10 of the Best, 10 Years of Rhubarb Rhubarb Photography Festival
  • 2009
    Royal Photographic Society, Silver Medal, Allen and Overy Award
  • 2009
    Nominated for the Prix Pictet Environmental Photography Award
  • 2010
    Sony World Photography Awards – February Online Winner
  • 2010
    Magenta Flash Forwards Winner
  • 2010
    Nominated for the Prix Pictet Environmental Photography Award
  • 2011
    National Geographic – Innovation in Story Telling Grant for Map Based Application
  • 2011
    Nominated for the Prix Pictet Environmental Photography Award
  • 2012
    Magenta Flash Forwards Winner
  • 2012
    Juried Selection for Exhibition at Format Festival 2013
  • 2013
    PDN 30 – Choice of Emerging Photographers to Watch
  • 2014
    Royal Photographic Soceity – Environmental Photography Bursary – HS2
  • 2015
    PDN Annual - Video Category
  • 2015
    American Photography - Photographers of the Year
  • 2016
    Luminous Landscape - Travel Armenia Award

Assignments, Talks & Publications

  • 2008
    Less Common, More Sense, 6 Page Feature on Bunker 17/5001
  • 2009
    The Guardian, Eyewitness Double Page Spread
  • 2009
    The Sunday Times, Double Page Spread, Picture of the Week
  • 2009
    Stern Magazine, Double Page Spread, Picture of the Week
  • 2009
    Saturday Times, 6-page feature; Light After Dark, text by Will Self
  • 2009
    Tate Modern with Shoot Experience, 750 Person Time Lapse Flash Mob
  • 2009
    F2 Magazine, “One To Watch”, Article on Photography Practice
  • 2009
    Madagascar, Illegal Trade in Rosewood, Environmental Investigation Agency, Photographer
  • 2009
    GEO Magazine, Illegal Trade in Rosewood, Photojournalism Assignment
  • 2009
    Madagascar Footage airs on US Television as component of documentary feature
  • 2010
    GEO Magazine, Illegal Trade in Rosewood, 15 Page International Feature
  • 2010
    Fortune Magazine – iPAD Application Photo Feature and DPS - Madagascar
  • 2010
    Economist Magazine, Intelligent Life, Photo Essay on Life and Work of Tom Denny
  • 2010
    Patek Phillippe Magazine, PS10 Solar Tower in Sanlucar la Mayor
  • 2010
    Scottish and Southern Energy – Funding of “The Renewables Project”
  • 2010
    Telegraph – Magazine, Cimarron Solar Installation
  • 2011
    Sunday Times Magazine – Offshore Wind Feature
  • 2011
    PDN Magazine – Photographer Feature on Undercover Journalism
  • 2011
    National Geographic Online – Hydropower in Scotland
  • 2011
    BBC Click – Interview on changing face of online photography and Lytro
  • 2011
    New York Times – Lens Blog – China Retools
  • 2011
    Frontline Club – Presentation of China’s New Energy Pioneers
  • 2011
    Lloyds Bank PLC – Sustainability Report
  • 2011
    National Geographic Magazine – Double Page Spread, Visions of Earth
  • 2012
    British Journal of Photography - Front Cover and Lead Article
  • 2012
    National Geographic Online – A Rare Look Inside China’s Energy Machine
  • 2012
    National Geographic Magazine – Creative Feature
  • 2012
    BBC Natural World - Undercover Camerawork and Interviews in Madagascar
  • 2012
    TIME Magazine (US) – Feature on security of Chinese Coal Sector
  • 2012
    BBC World Service – Presented feature for “One Planet” discussing environmental journalism
  • 2012
    Sunday Times Magazine – Feature on UK Bailiffs
  • 2012
    Royal Geographic Society – Geographical Magazine – Blood Timber
  • 2012
    Visa Pour L’Image – Presentation of “Madagascar - Bois de Rose” at Canon Stage
  • 2012
    The New Yorker – YOOX
  • 2012
    National Geographic Magazine – Photo Journal
  • 2014
    Walking the Line, HS2 – Sunday Times Magazine
  • 2014
    National Geographic Magazine – Italia Edition, Cover Image
  • 2017
    Accenture - Sustainable Energy Conference Keynote Speech
  • 2018
    Zoology Museum Cambridge, Public Art Installation
  • 2018
    WWF International - Educational Video
  • 2018
    ESPA, ESRC, NERC and University of Cambridge Grant Awards
  • 2017
    The Guardian - Pani, Pahar Feature
  • 2017
    National Geographic - Heavens and Earth In Armenia
  • 2018
    New Scientist - Armenian Observatory
  • 2018
    National Geographic - We are Watching You - Cover Article
  • 2018
    The Endangered Landscapes Progam

Solo Exhibitions

  • 2006
    Czimmerl’s Gallery, Lincoln
    Reinterpretation of 360°
  • 2006
    Broadway Gallery, Nottingham
    Cine Afrique
  • 2009
    Tenderpixel Gallery, London
    Light After Dark
  • 2009
    TEQULA-UK
    Light After Dark
  • 2010
    Barbican
    Madagascar – Bois de Rose
  • 2010
    The Print Space Gallery
    The Renewables Project
  • 2010
    Bau-Xi Photo, Toronto
    The Renewables Project
  • 2010
    Global Witness
    Madagascar – Bois de Rose
  • 2011
    Profile Gallery, Saltburn
    The Renewables Project
  • 2013
    DEDA, Format 13, Derby
    The Renewables Project
  • 2013
    The Hospital Club, London
    Energy Matters
  • 2015
    Victoria Station, London
    VSU Upgrade
  • 2015
    St John's College, Cambridge
    Light After Dark
  • 2017
    The David Attenborough Building
    Chasing Cuckoos
  • 2017
    St John's College, Cambridge
    Pani, Pahar - Waters of the Himalayas
  • 2017
    ICIMOD, Kathmandu
    Pani, Pahar - Waters of the Himalayas
  • 2018
    The Habitat Centre, Delhi
    Pani, Pahar - Waters of the Himalayas
  • 2019
    Lansdown Hall, Stroud
    Pani, Pahar - Waters of the Himalayas

Group Exhibitions

  • 2006
    La Viande Gallery, London
    Challenging the Real through Photography
  • 2007
    Four Corners Gallery, London
    London Paradise is for the Blessed
  • 2007
    Flowers East Gallery
    London Says the Junk in the Yard
  • 2007
    The Lowry Centre
    Manchester One Love
  • 2007
    SPACE Gallery
    London Roof Unit Foundations
  • 2008
    Brighton Media Centre [Spectre]
    Exhibition as part of Brighton Photo Fringe
  • 2008
    Roof Unit Studio
    London Roof Unit Open Studio
  • 2008
    Photofusion
    London AMPS
  • 2008
    London College of Communication
    Ma Photography Final Exhibition
  • 2009
    Print Space
    London Exhibit X presents Sample ‘09
  • 2009
    Crane Kalman
    Brighton New Landscapes
  • 2009
    Allen and Overy LLP
    London 152nd Royal Photographic Society International Exhibition
  • 2009
    Three White Walls
    Birmingham Photography is Dead.
  • 2009
    Thomson Reuters Photovoice
    Auction of Exceptional Photographs
  • 2010
    Victoria Art Gallery, Bath
    152nd Royal Photographic Society International Exhibition
  • 2010
    Bayeaux Tapestry
    Fujifilm Awards Print Show
  • 2010
    Bau-Xi Photo
    Toronto Gallery Artists, Spring Show
  • 2010
    Centre for Contempory Photography
    Strange Beauty
  • 2010
    Foster- White, Seattle Gallery Arists
    Fall Show
  • 2010
    Blue-Dog Gallery, Brighton In-Site
    Madagascar – Bois de Rose
  • 2011
    Print Space
    London BIG Exhibition
  • 2011
    The East End Film Festival
    The Day the Lea Valley Closed
  • 2011
    Getty Images Gallery
    London Financial Times Charity Auction 2011
  • 2012
    The Mall Gallery London Lucky Day
    SMTM 2
  • 2012
    Dog-Eared Gallery London
    Festival of Photography Auction
  • 2013
    Somerset House
    London The Syngenta Photography Award
  • 2015
    Somerset House
    London The Syngenta Photography Award
  • 2015
    The V&A
    What is Luxury?
  • 2017
    CFCCA, Manchester
    Contemporary China
  • 2017
    The Architect's Association
    Unknown Fields
  • 2017
    The V&A in Sheku
    Values of Design
  • 2018
    Artefact 2018
    This Rare Earth
  • 2018
    Getty Images Gallery
    Red, White, Blue
  • 2019
    Royal Geographic Soceity
    Flow Photo
  • 2019
    National History Museum of Vienna
    MELTDOWN - Project Pressure