Toni Smailagic by Jesse Brantman
About
Born in Banja Luka, Bosnia, Toni Smailagic was raised in Jacksonville, Florida from age 9 to 19, which is when he decided to leave UNF and pursue a career in photography. After a few months in Paris, Toni moved between NYC, LA and Miami for a 7-year period and developed his skills and knowledge of fashion photography, while working with modeling agencies, designers, and musicians. This lead him to work with brands including Valentino, Patricia Fields, and Valentina Kova and assignments in countries ranging from Colombia to Kenya.
After a shift in family dynamics, Toni moved back to Jacksonville in 2016 to be in closer proximity to his mother. The fashion industry wasn’t a viable career option in the city, so he adapted and took a photojournalistic approach in documenting street style at Downtown Jacksonville Art Walk. This is where he was able to meet artists and recognize the void in media attention of the various cultures and communities that were the ones actually shaping the experience of living in Jacksonville. Soon thereafter, Toni started Cre8Jax, a platform dedicated to highlighting the cultural development, events, and creators in the city. Since then, Toni continues to take on personal art projects, while simultaneously working with clients on brand development and engagement strategies.