The photographer

Chyett De Landro-Smith (Chai)

Chyett De Landro-Smith (Chai), a San Francisco-born photographer now based in Switzerland, discovered photography through his father’s camera. He honed his craft in early adulthood, shooting local music bands in France and Switzerland before specializing in street, portrait photography, and landscape photography.

Drawn to quiet moments and everyday subtleties, Chai finds often inspiration along the water—rooted in his upbringing near the ocean and Switzerland’s vibrant lake culture. Photography, for him, is both self-discovery and observation, with music shaping his creative process. Favoring natural light and shadow, he crafts authentic visual stories, from candid street scenes to intimate portraits.