Unless noted otherwise, the following promotional photos are 8" by 10". Some of them are also mentioned in the collectors appendices of specific albums and singles when we know which title they were meant to promote. However the vocation of most of these photos is unknown and any information would be appreciated. Some of them were probably paired with promo copies of albums and singles, but others may have been meant to promote a tour, or they also may have been intended for the printed media to be published alongside interviews or reviews.

1983-1984 - UK (Rough Trade) - by Joelle Depont
"The Smiths". Early shot of the band holding a bouquet of flowers. Purpose of the promo photo is unknown.
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1983-1984 - UK (Rough Trade) - by Clare Muller
"The Smiths". Morrissey and Johnny hugging a tree. Size 5" by 7". Exact promotional purpose unknown.
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1983-1984 - UK (Rough Trade) - by Clare Muller
"The Smiths". Morrissey and Johnny in a tree, at night. Purpose unknown.
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1983-1984 - UK (Rough Trade) - by Clare Muller
"The Smiths". Morrissey and Johnny in the branches of a willow-type tree in a West London park. Purpose unknown.
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1983-1984 - UK (Rough Trade) - by Paul Slattery
"The Smiths". Photo taken backstage at the Electric Ballroom in May 1983. Morrissey, hand over heart and wearing a necklace, is holding a bouquet of flowers in front of Johnny. This press photo may have served at the time of release of the self-titled debut album. It does appear on the insert found inside the original 1984 Japanese LP edition of that album.
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1983-1984 - UK (Rough Trade) - photographer uncredited
"Smiths". Very early photo of Morrissey looking to the camera, wearing ample shirt and beads. From the same photo session as the next two press photos. The exact purpose of this promo photo is unknown.
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1983-1984 - UK (Rough Trade) - photographer uncredited
"Smiths". Very early photo of the band, Morrissey wearing ample shirt and beads, hands raised in a "it's five minutes to 2 o'clock" position. From the same photo session as the previous and next press photos. The exact purpose of this promo photo is unknown. The photo was used on the insert found inside original LP and cassette editions of the self-titled debut album in Japan.
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1983-1984 - UK (Rough Trade) - photographer uncredited
"The Smiths". Very early photo of the band, Morrissey wearing ample shirt and beads. From the same photo session as the previous two press photos. The exact purpose of this promo photo is unknown.
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1983-1984 - UK (Rough Trade) - by Eric Watson
Very early photo of Johnny Marr. More info needed.
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1984 - USA (Sire) - by Paul Cox
"The Smiths". Paired with American promo copies of the self-titled debut album or the promo 12" of "What Difference Does It Make?" (which also served to promote the latter album).
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1984 - USA (Sire) - by Paul Cox
"The Smiths". Paired with American promo copies of the self-titled debut or the promo 12" of "What Difference Does It Make?" which also served to promote the latter album.
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1984 - UK (Rough Trade) - by Eric Watson
"The Smiths". This photo may have served at the time of release of the self-titled debut album. It does appear in the original Japanese and British cd editions of that album.
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1984 - UK (Rough Trade) - by Peter Ashworth
"Sandie Shaw & The Smiths". Paired with 7" and/or 12" promos of the Sandie Shaw collaboration "Hand In Glove".
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1984 - UK (Rough Trade) - by Peter Ashworth
"Sandie Shaw, Morrissey & The Smiths". Paired with 7" and/or 12" promos of the Sandie Shaw collaboration "Hand In Glove".
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1984 - UK (Rough Trade) - by Peter Ashworth
"Sandie Shaw & Morrissey". Paired with 7" and/or 12" promos of the Sandie Shaw collaboration "Hand In Glove".
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1984 - UK (Rough Trade) - by (Paul Slattery?)
"Morrissey". This one is a live shot of Morrissey at the Hammersmith Palais in March 1984. The exact purpose of the promo photo is not known.
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1984 - UK (Rough Trade) - by Tom Sheehan
"The Smiths 1984". The exact purpose of this promo photo is not known. It was used in 2008 as the cover of the "Sound Of The Smiths" compilation album (the 1-cd edition).
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1984? - UK (Rough Trade) - by Masataka Ishida
"Morrissey Of The Smiths". Hand on his neck, looking touched. The photo was taken at Glastonbury 1984. Exact purpose of this press photo is not known.
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1984-1985 - UK (Rough Trade) - by Peter Ashworth
"The Smiths". Overexposed shot of the band in front of a cloudy background. Purpose of the promo photo is unknown. The photo appeared in the booklet of the original 1985 Japanese cd edition of "Meat Is Murder and on the insert with the original 1985 Japanese LP edition of the same title.
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1985 - USA (Sire) - by Anton Corbijn, uncredited
"The Smiths". Photo taken in early 1984. Paired with a 3-page press release and distributed in the USA with promo copies of the "Meat Is Murder album or the promo 12" of "The Headmaster Ritual" (which also served to promote the latter album).
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1985 - UK (Rough Trade) - by Paul Slattery
"The Smiths". The band in Montmartre, Paris. Very likely served as a promo photo at the time of release of the album "Meat Is Murder (confirmation/correction needed). A slightly cropped version of the photo appeared in the cd booklet of the latter album in many countries, including the UK. See also 1992 below.
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1985 - UK (Rough Trade) - by Andy Catlin
"Morrissey The Smiths". This one shows Morrissey by himself, next to a mirror. The exact purpose is unknown but a different shot from the same session appeared with an interview published in the June 1985 issue of Spin magazine.
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1985 - UK (Rough Trade) - by Andy Catlin (uncredited)
"Morrissey The Smiths". A different shot of Morrissey by himself, next to a mirror, from the same session as the item above. Exceptionally sized 5" x 7". The exact purpose is unknown but a different shot from the same session appeared with an interview published in the June 1985 issue of Spin magazine.
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1985 - UK (Rough Trade) - by P.L. Noble
"Morrissey". Shows Morrissey looking up. The exact purpose of the promo photo is not known.
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1985? - UK (Rough Trade) - by Pat Bellis
"Morrissey Of The Smiths". Morrissey posing in front of a photo of George Formby. The purpose of this promo photo is not known.
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1985? - UK (Rough Trade) - by Andy Catlin
"Johnny Marr Of The Smiths". 1984 photo of Johnny, all in denim, sitting on a sidewalk. Purpose unknown (may have been intended for the printed media).
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1985? - UK (Rough Trade) - by Jo Novark (aka Pat Bellis)
"Johnny Marr Of The Smiths". Johnny crouching in a room corner, with guitar. Purpose unknown (may have been intended for the printed media).
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1985? - UK (Rough Trade) - by Tom Sheehan
"Johnny Marr Of The Smiths". 1985 photo of Johnny sitting down, looking sideways, arm around his guitar. Purpose unknown (may have been intended for the printed media).
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1985-1986 - UK (Rough Trade) - by Christina Birrer
"Morrissey Of The Smiths". The exact purpose of the promo photo is not known. An alternate version has been spotted in which the image is reversed (a mirror image), but the credits around it are identical.
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1985-1986 - UK (Rough Trade) - by Christina Birrer
"Morrissey Of The Smiths". The exact purpose of the promo photo is not known.
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1985-1986 - UK (Rough Trade) - by Pat Bellis
"Morrissey Of The Smiths". One of four different press photos of Morrissey lying over a subway-size promo poster advertising the "That Joke Isn't Funny Anymore" single. On this one Morrissey is sitting on the poster, hands around his knees. The photo was mailed out with review copies of the album "The Queen Is Dead".
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1985-1986 - UK (Rough Trade) - by Pat Bellis
"Morrissey Of The Smiths". One of four different press photos of Morrissey lying over a subway-size promo poster advertising the "That Joke Isn't Funny Anymore" single. On this one Morrissey is lying on his side, looking at the poster. The exact purpose of this promo photo is not known but it may have served to promote the album "The Queen Is Dead" or the tour of the same name.
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1985-1986 - UK (Rough Trade) - by Pat Bellis
"Morrissey Of The Smiths". One of four different press photos of Morrissey lying over a subway-size promo poster advertising the "That Joke Isn't Funny Anymore" single. On this one Morrissey is lying on his back, eyes shut. The exact purpose of this promo photo is not known but it may have served to promote the album "The Queen Is Dead" or the tour of the same name.
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1985-1986 - UK (Rough Trade) - by Pat Bellis
"Morrissey Of The Smiths". One of four different press photos of Morrissey lying over a subway-size promo poster advertising the "That Joke Isn't Funny Anymore" single. On this one Morrissey looks like he's coming down from a candle pose, legs in the air. The exact purpose of this promo photo is not known but it may have served to promote the album "The Queen Is Dead" or the tour of the same name.
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1986 - Germany (Teldec) - by Pat Bellis
"Morrissey Of The Smiths". This one is identical to the previous press photo (Morrissey with legs in the air), but it also has a Teldec logo at the bottom. The exact purpose of this promo photo is not known, but it very likely served to promote either the "Panic", "Some Girls Are Bigger Than Others" or "Ask" singles in Germany.
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1986 - UK (Rough Trade) - by Jo Novark
"Morrissey Of The Smiths". Morrissey lying over his grave, holding up a banjo. Just like the next item in this list, this is credited as having been taken by Jo Novark, but photos from this session are usually credited to Lawrence Watson. Exact purpose of the promo photo is unknown.
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1986 - UK (Rough Trade) - by Jo Novark
"Morrissey Of The Smiths". Morrissey hugging a gravestone with his name on it. Just like the previous item in this list, this is credited as having been taken by Jo Novark, but photos from this session are usually credited to Lawrence Watson. Exact purpose of the promo photo is unknown.
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1986 - UK (Rough Trade) - by Jo Novark
"Morrissey Of The Smiths". 1986 live shot of Morrissey wearing an Elvis shirt (under a jacket). Exact purpose of the promo photo is unknown.
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1986 - UK (Rough Trade) - by Jo Novark
"Morrissey Of The Smiths". Morrissey wearing a New York Dolls shirt, chin up. Exact purpose of the promo photo is unknown.
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1986 - UK (Rough Trade) - by Jo Novark
"Morrissey Of The Smiths". Morrissey wearing a New York Dolls shirt, looking sideways. Exact purpose of the promo photo is unknown.
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1986 - USA (Sire) - by ??
"The Smiths". The Smiths including Craig Gannon photographed backstage at the Old Grey Whistle Test. The band are wearing jackets and Morrissey is even wearing a tie. The exact purpose of this promo photo is unknown but it may have been for the album "The Queen Is Dead" or the tour promoting it.
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1986 - UK or Germany (Rough Trade) - by Jo Novark
"Morrissey Of The Smiths". Morrissey looking pensive at a cafe. Exact purpose of the promo photo is unknown.
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1986-1987 - UK (Rough Trade) - by Jo Novark (aka Pat Bellis)
"The Smiths". This one shows the band in what appears to be a small country village. It is from the same photo shoot as the next image in this list as well as the images used to promote "Strangeways Here We Come" in Germany in 1987, "Rank" in Japan 1988 and "Singles" in the USA in 1995 (see below for each one). What exactly this press photo was meant to promote is unknown.
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1987 - UK or Germany (Rough Trade) - by Jo Novark (aka Pat Bellis)
"The Smiths". This one shows the band posing in front of a large tree. It is from the same photo shoot as the previous image in this list as well as the images used to promote "Strangeways Here We Come" in Germany in 1987, "Rank" in Japan 1988 and "Singles" in the USA in 1995 (see below for each one). What exactly this press photo was meant to promote is unknown.
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1987 - USA (Sire) - by Jo Novark (aka Pat Bellis)
This is just like the one above, but used by Sire in the USA. Exact promotional purpose is also unknown.
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1987 - USA (Sire) - by Jo Novark
"The Smiths". This is actually 2 photos on one sheet: one of Morrissey in front of a poster of the Queen Is Dead tour, with hands over heart, and the other of the band revisiting the Salford Lads Club in winter, early 1987. The photos are credited to Jo Novark and this is true for the left one, but the right one is usually credited to Lawrence Watson when published in the music press. This latter photo is from the same shoot that supplied the one used on the USA promo 12" of "Shoplifters Of The World Unite". This 8"x10" was paired with a 2-page letter format press release and distributed with promo copies of the "Louder Than Bombs" album.
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1987 - UK (Rough Trade) - by Jo Novark
"The Smiths". This one shows the band revisiting the Salford Lads Club in winter. It is from the same session as the right side photo in the previous entry. Although credited here to Jo Novark, photos from this session were credited to Lawrence Watson when published in the music press. The exact purpose of this press photo is not known.
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1987 - UK (Rough Trade) - by Jo Novark
"The Smiths". This one shows the band in front of the Albert Finney shop. It is from the same session as the two previous items in this list. Although credited here to Jo Novark, photos from this session were credited to Lawrence Watson when published in the music press. The exact purpose of this press photo is not known.
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1987 - Germany (Rough Trade) - by Jo Novark
"The Smiths". This press photo came with some German promo copies of the "Strangeways Here We Come" album. The shot, taken in 1986, shows the band in a pastoral setting. It was used again in 1995 by Reprise when promoting the "Singles" album (listed further down, 1995). Different shots from the session are listed above (see 1986-1987 and 1987) and below (see 1988).
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1987 - Germany (Rough Trade) - by Jo Novark
"Morrissey Of The Smiths". This is identical to the American press photo listed next, but it has a Rough Trade logo in the bottom right corner instead of a Sire one. Came with some German promo copies of the "Strangeways Here We Come" album.
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1987 - USA (Sire) - by Jo Novark
"Morrissey Of The Smiths". This is identical to the shot that came with the German press kit, but it has Sire logo and credits at the bottom instead of a Rough Trade logo. It came with some American promo copies of the "Strangeways Here We Come" album but it appears that the same photo may have been used with the press kit for Morrissey's debut solo album "Viva Hate" the following year.
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1987 - UK or Germany (Rough Trade) - by Jo Novark
"Morrissey and Andy Rourke Of The Smiths". This probably came after Johnny left the band, but before Morrissey went solo. Exact purpose of the press photo is not known.
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1988 - Japan (Rough Trade / Victor / JVC) - by Jo Novark
"The Smiths". This photo of the band in the stairs of an old house/building made of stone was included with promo copies of the "Rank" album in Japan. It is from the same photo shoot as the photo used to promote "Strangeways Here We Come" in Germany in 1987 (see above) and "Singles" in 1995 (see below). Other shots from the same session are found on press photos of unknown vocation (see 1986-1987 and 1987 above).
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???? - UK (Rough Trade) - by Nick Knight
"Mike Joyce The Smiths". Year and exact purpose unknown.
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1992 - UK/Europe (East West) - by Paul Slattery, not credited
"The Smiths". This press photo dated August 1992 very likely served to promote one of the "Best…" albums from 1992 or one of the three singles re-released that year. It shows the band in Paris in 1984. A 1985 Rough Trade promo photo with the same image is listed above.
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1992-1995 - UK/Europe (WEA) - by Stephen Wright (uncredited)
"The Smiths". The classic photo of the Smiths in front of the Salford Lads Club. The exact purpose of this press photo is not known, but it likely served to promote one of the WEA reissues from 1992 or 1995.
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1995 - USA (Reprise) - by Jo Novark
"The Smiths". This press photo served as a promo for the "Singles" compilation. It shows the band in a pastoral setting. The photo had already been used to promote the release of the album "Strangeways Here We Come" album in Germany (see 1987 above). Different shots from the session are also listed above (1986-1987, 1987 and 1988).
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