A Local Lens on Life: Meet Jake Smith

Sometimes, the most inspiring stories are found right on our doorstep. Jake Smith is one of those stories.

Jake, who lives with quadriplegic cerebral palsy, has spent the last five years quietly building something quite remarkable. Armed with a camera and an outlook on life that most of us can only aspire to, he has developed into an award-winning photographer — earning two academy awards for his work and establishing his own professional photography business, Jake Smith Photography, based at Aden Business Park in Mintlaw.

But what truly sets Jake apart isn't just his technical skill behind the lens. It's the way he sees the world.

Jake Smith holding his book: *See the world as I do*

A Book Born from Gratitude

Jake has just published a beautiful new book — a collection of his stunning local photography paired with uplifting, inspiring quotes. And the combination works not just because the images are beautiful (though they are), but because every single one of them reflects how Jake genuinely experiences life, every day. With positivity. With gratitude. With joy.

The early response has been wonderful. People who have seen the book describe it as the kind of thing you reach for on a hard day — something to sit with over a cup of tea that gives you a gentle lift when you need it most. That's a rare quality in any book, and it speaks volumes about the person behind it.

Shops and venues across Aberdeenshire have already shown interest in stocking it, including Marshall's, Barra Berries, Inverurie Garden Centre, and Aden Park — and it's easy to see why. It works as a birthday gift, a Christmas present, a Father's Day treat, or simply a lovely thing to have on your coffee table for the days when life feels a little heavy.

Available at the Old Mart Café

We're delighted to share that Jake's book is available to purchase for a limited time right here at the Old Mart Community Resource Centre, in our café and throughout the centre. We're proud to support a local talent who embodies exactly the kind of community spirit that Maud Village Trust is all about.

So the next time you pop in for a coffee, keep an eye out for it. We think you'll love it.

You can find out more about Jake and his photography at www.jakesmithphotography.co.uk or follow him on Facebook at Jake Smith Photography.