About Jody

Jody has been an enthusiastic camera guy since about 1978, and photography is one of the very, very few things he has taken really seriously since. He can claim many years of experience behind film cameras and in darkrooms, but now shoots digital only, and smiles every time that fact comes to mind.

Having completed a long career as an air traffic controller, Jody is now able to spend much more time, not only as a professional photographer, but with his other loves, including: family and friends; sunrises, sunsets and the night sky; the desert; music; reading; spicy food; and most anything outdoors.

Jody Smyers is one of the few photographers in West Texas certified as a professional photographer by the Professional Photographers of America (PPA). He is a member of the Texas Professional Photographers Association (TPPA), and previously served many years on the board of directors for the local PPA affiliate, West Texas Photographers.

His photography has been featured in publications worldwide in news and information outlets, as well as for the U.S. Government. He regularly gives back to the community by volunteering his time and efforts for the “Heart Gallery of the South Plains”, providing free portraits for children wishing to find adoptive parents. He is also a volunteer photographer for “Operation Love Reunited”, providing free portraits for military families being deployed, or returning from deployment. He is constantly striving to learn and improve, and rarely misses an opportunity to experiment with new ideas.