Behind The Lens

Dave W Smith is a UK-born photographer based in Bologna, Italy, specialising in action, event, location and experience-led photography.

His work focuses on capturing real authentic moments — from athlete-led experiences and live events to fast-moving environments where timing, awareness, and adaptability are key. Working across travel, outdoor, hospitality and lifestyle sectors, he produces imagery that reflects both the energy of a moment and the atmosphere surrounding it.

Dave has worked internationally with brands, experience providers, and expedition teams, including producing imagery for Airbnb Experiences with Olympic athletes in the Italian Alps. An award-winning photographer, his work was recently recognised as a finalist in the World Sports Photography Awards.

His work has been featured by National Geographic Online and Sony Alpha, with imagery communicating beyond first impressions to bridge the gap between a marketing asset and a genuine human experience. He aims to capture the pulse of a place—moving beyond the surface to document how a moment feels, rather than simply how it appears.

With a background rooted in the natural world and years of experience in remote, unpredictable environments, Dave brings a refined documentary approach to every project. He captures the interaction between people and place in a way that feels natural and unforced. Whether on assignment or embedded within an experience, his focus remains the same: to produce imagery that feels immersive, grounded, and real.

Originally from Manchester, Dave brings a pragmatic, methodical approach to every assignment. Now based in Italy and working globally, he provides clients with the creative vision and practical confidence required to deliver high-quality results wherever the brief leads.

I hired Dave to take some promotional photos of my adventure tourism business in the south of France. I needed someone who had the right balance between photography skills and an adventurous mindset (the shots were taken in a fairly isolated location and rough terrain). Dave was awesome! The shots were the best I ever seen and he was a pleasure to have out with us. Even though he was with us for just a week he fit right in with my staff and companies adventurous ethos. Thanks Dave, I will certainly use you in the future. – Anthony Hallworth (The Outdoor Experience)

Working with Dave was an absolute pleasure from start to finish. We hired him to capture a full range of images for our hotel and tourism business in the Philippines from detailed interior shots of our hotel to sweeping landscapes and cultural moments across the country. His ability to tell a visual story through photography is truly exceptional. The photos he delivered have elevated our brand and marketing materials tremendously, helping us stand out in a competitive industry. He’s not only talented but also incredibly professional, punctual, and easy to collaborate with. He adapted quickly to different shooting environments, worked seamlessly with our team, and delivered high quality results on time. – Dean Hallworth (Mango Tiger)

Dave came out on expedition to the Himalayas climbing and France canoeing with us to capture some promotional content for my business and took some stunning shots, they are unbelievable. If you want some great adventure travel shots it’s definitely worth giving Dave a shout. Thanks again! – Joe Alexander (Alexander Adventures)