Meet the Trustees: Jane Smith
We are pleased to introduce the individuals behind Photo Oxford and offer you insight into the purpose and goals of Photo Oxford.
Photo: Mike Kemp
Jane Smith became a trustee last year and is now supporting the festival’s marketing efforts to highlight its values and strong outreach programme. In addition to her trustee responsibilities, Jane has spent over 30 years in the photographic industry, helping clients source, clear, and license visual assets for various projects. She is also an artist and image maker with a keen interest in Collections, continually exploring the reasons behind people’s passion for collecting.
Introduce yourself and your background
I am Jane Smith from Jane Smith Media. My background - I studied a BA Hons in Photographic Design, specialising in Studio still life compositions with Sinar 5x4 large plate cameras.
My career has been varied but always focused on sourcing visual assets. Past roles have involved working for Getty Images as an International Picture Researcher. Camera Press Photographic Archive manager, Research Project Manager for The Art Group and Media Manager for Pearson Education, where my team sourced assets for educational publishing. I am now a Freelance Picture Editor working for Publishers, Authors, Production Companies and Small Businesses, sourcing, clearing, commissioning and licensing visual assets for any project.
When and why did you join Photo Oxford as a Trustee?
I joined Photo Oxford as a Trustee June 2025. I had always attended and enjoyed Photo Oxford events and with a background and passion for photography, I was keen to join a team to champion photography and to help make an impact with a small creative charity, with like-minded people.
What do you find most rewarding about your role as a trustee?
I have found the past year fascinating, learning about all aspects of putting on an International Photography festival and the challenges that come with that. It was fantastic to see the festival come together in Oct 2025 and to experience how passionate the audience and team are about photography, to see how much people engaged with the festival, the community it creates and the diverse range of talks and events that are available to everyone!
What would you say to anyone who wants to become a Trustee?
I would definitely recommend it, to think differently and to understand the aim and power of photography. The outreach programme has been great to see Photo Oxford making an impact on local communities through meaningful workshops.
What are you looking forward to over the next year, leading up to the next festival?
I am looking forward to continuing to support the 2027 festival. I enjoy being part of a team that all appreciate photography and all its aspects. I am excited to be involved with the next festival, to help with fundraising, promotion and to see the new programme come together for Oct 2027.