Jai Smith, a fourth-year business administration student at FAMU, is a multifaceted artist renowned for his captivating photography and videographer work within the sports world.
With an ability to capture moments, Smith’s photography transports viewers to new realms, where each piece of work can tell its story.
According to Smith’s website, his main goal is to “facilitate the true and authentic expression of the creative spirit to elevate brands, inspire and help clients express their creativity and have a life filled with positive results, and collaborate with like-minded business-minded creatives in order to manifest my vision further and illuminate the most empowering and engaging projects.”
When asked about his journey with photography, Smith said it wasn’t something he had expected.
“It was the summer going into my junior year of college when I picked up a camera. Since I stayed in Tallahassee for classes then, I figured I had to get myself interested in something,” Smith said.
Heading into the fall of 2023, Smith used his skillset and began interning with FAMU athletics. Joshua Padilla, the school’s sports information director, had seen the potential in Smith and his eagerness to learn at an early stage in his photography career.
“When I first added Jai to the media team, you could tell he was willing to do just about anything,” Padilla said. “I can say that he’s been an important asset to the Department of Communications even when it comes to teaching me about new technology, equipment, or other things that will continue for FAMU athletics to dominate on different social media platforms.”
In July 2023, Smith interned with the Buffalo Bills. According to the FAMU athletics website, Smith was “a media and content production intern.”
“I felt like I was thrown into the ring of fire,” Smith said. “Coming from an HBCU to working in the NFL, it’s no surprise that there are more resources to use and learn from in Buffalo. I wouldn’t trade my experiences at FAMU or Buffalo for anything. Being able to get an internship within a year of me first starting and leveling up from there makes this experience all worth it,” Smith said.
Smith hopes to climb the ladder in his career while helping other digital creatives in the same spots as he was when he first started his journey.
“I know what it’s like to have people look at you crazy for pursuing a passion that didn’t originally align with a career you were initially looking into. I never let outside noise stop me from pursuing something I ended up loving,” said Smith. “I hope to be a living proof to those who want to go after a big opportunity to do it. I had no idea what to expect when I applied to the Bills internship.” Smith also mentioned that with everything he learned by working with an NFL team, he can help improve FAMU athletics’ media.
To see more of Smith’s work, follow his Instagram @jaisyncere and view his portfolio at “Syncere.co