The Gallery at Leica Store San Francisco is pleased to present The First Years, a solo exhibition by Bay Area artist Josh Smith. This ongoing body of work delves into the evolving structure of family and its role in shaping identity. Deeply personal in origin, Smith’s photography offers an intimate lens on parenthood—capturing the tension between being fully present and maintaining individuality. His work invites viewers to reflect on their own familial experiences and emotional landscapes.
Now entering its tenth year, The First Years has gradually shifted from documentary-style imagery to carefully crafted vignettes that blur the lines between reality and fiction. Smith’s creative process mirrors the rhythm of family life, seamlessly blending spontaneous moments with composed scenes. His compositions often obscure individual identity, creating a sense of universality that encourages self-reflection. Through unconventional framing, nuanced gestures, and emotional resonance, these photographs open contemplative spaces filled with unfinished narratives.
As the intensity of early parenthood inevitably fades, The First Years becomes a quiet act of preservation—an archive of what cannot be held onto. At once a personal record and a poetic interpretation, these photographs capture fleeting moments, offering viewers a tether to the ephemeral emotions that define family life.