Remembering Carol “Dogsitter” Smith – One of the Early Voices of iPhoneography
It is with great sadness that I learned of the passing of Carol “Dogsitter” Smith, a much-loved member of the mobile photography community and a retired police officer whose warmth, humour and creativity touched many people over the years.
Carol belonged to that important generation of early iPhone photographers who helped shape mobile photography into a genuine artistic movement. At a time when many still dismissed photography created on phones, Carol embraced the medium with curiosity, openness and enthusiasm. Her images carried individuality and feeling, but equally important was the kindness she brought to the community surrounding the work.
Beyond photography, Carol had lived a full and dedicated life, serving as a police officer before retiring. There was perhaps something of that experience visible in the way she observed people and the world around her, attentive, compassionate and deeply human.
Online communities can sometimes feel fleeting, but certain individuals leave a lasting impression through the way they encourage others, support creativity and quietly make spaces feel welcoming. Carol was one of those people. Many artists within the mobile photography world will remember her not only for the images she created, but also for her generosity, humour and friendship.
The mobile art movement has always been built upon people willing to share, experiment and connect across distances. Carol helped make those spaces feel personal and alive. Her presence will be deeply missed by many who knew her through years of conversations, shared images and creative exchange.
My thoughts are with her family, friends, and all those within the photographic community who are mourning her loss.
Rest peacefully, Carol.
Image below created by Carolyn Hall Young for one of Carol’s birthdays.
Joanne Carter
Joanne Carter is a British photography journalist, editor, curator, and the founder of *TheAppWhisperer.com*, one of the world’s leading platforms dedicated to mobile photography and art. Since its launch in 2009, TheAppWhisperer has become an international hub for artists of all levels to discover, learn, exhibit, and engage with contemporary photographic practice.Built on principles of inclusivity, accessibility, and artistic excellence, Joanne has spent almost two decades championing mobile photography as a serious artistic medium. Through interviews, critical essays, exhibitions, competitions, and education, she has helped shape and document the evolution of mobile art on a global scale.Her work has taken her internationally, lecturing on photography and mobile art at institutions and events including the Museum of Art in Seoul, South Korea, alongside appearances in the UK and Europe. She has served as a juror for international photography and mobile art awards across Portugal, Canada, the United States, South Korea, Italy, and the UK.Joanne is also the founder of *TheAppWhispererPrintSales.com*, one of the first online galleries dedicated exclusively to collectible mobile art, connecting artists with collectors across Europe, the United States, and Asia.Before founding TheAppWhisperer, Joanne worked extensively in print journalism and photographic publishing, including roles at a paparazzi photo agency and as deputy editor of a leading photography magazine. Her freelance journalism, criticism, and commentary have been published widely in both the UK and the US, with bylines in *The Times*, *The Sunday Times*, *The Guardian*, *Popular Photography*, *NikonPro*, *DPReview*, *Which?*, *Vogue Italia*, *LensCulture*, the *BBC*, and more recently, the *Financial Times*, where her published letters on photography continue to contribute to wider conversations around the medium.Alongside her editorial and curatorial work, Joanne’s own photographic practice has been exhibited internationally across the UK, Europe, South Korea, and the United States. Her work increasingly explores themes of grief, loss, death, memory, and the body.Her current research interests centre on grief, death, and poverty, with forthcoming postgraduate study leading towards doctoral research in these areas.Joanne is currently developing new long-form writing and photographic projects and is available for commissions, editorial projects, speaking engagements, and collaborations.Contact: joannetheappwhisperer@gmail.com)
