Today we’d like to introduce you to Matthew Simmons.
Matthew, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I’m a commercial portrait photographer based out of Nashville, TN. I specialize in music and entertainment industry stills with some ad work here and there. I grew up in suburban Ohio in the early 90’s and lived there till I moved to rural Indiana for college. After finishing there, I moved to Nashville to work as a photography assistant. I started on small local jobs, and by my mid 20’s I was a regular 2nd and sometimes 1st assistant for photographers all over the country that came into Nashville to shoot for Rolling Stone or Billboard etc. I transitioned out of assisting into full time shooting about five years ago and am now represented by Greyland Reps, a boutique agency for Nashville/Los Angeles photographers and directors. I’m still very much at the beginning of my career, and can’t wait for this bio to get longer with time and experience. Nashville is my home now, but I have plans to spend time on the west coast or in Europe after this COVID madness is over. My goals are to have my work on as many major magazines covers as possible, but more importantly I just want to make meaningful connections with people.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
My career has been rough since day one. I think the hardest struggle for any up and coming artist is being taken seriously. I know it was for me. I went into a lot of meetings early in my career that ended up in rejection because I was too young or too inexperienced in the clients yes. I had a lot of people try to take advantage of me or try to get me to work for free too. As a young artist I was always fighting uphill to get people to take me seriously and pay me what I’m worth.
My biggest advice to younger artists is to be patient. It takes a long time to make any progress at all in this industry sometimes. It can feel defeating and exhausting at times.
Tell us about your business– what should we know? What do you do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
I work as a full-time photographer specializing in portraiture. My clientele is mostly music industry and entertainment work but I also do a lot of editorial and advertising work. If I’m to believe what my clients and followers tell me, I’m known for my lighting and my editing style. I like to create portraits that look like they’re lit naturally even when they aren’t. I’m a huge fan of films and incorporate a lot of inspiration from cinema into my work. My biggest goal as a photographer is to make people happy. I believe a good portrait can completely change the way a person sees themselves. I’m most proud of the work I’ve done that accomplishes that goal. It’s so satisfying when a person is visibly elated with the way they look while I’m showing them their photos. There are a million and a half amazing and talented photographers, most more talented than me. What sets me apart is my personality and the way I run my sets. I like to have fun and have a good time. I want the client, talent and crew to leave my set wanting to come back and work for me again.
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
I think success is one of the most misunderstood words in America. A lot of people lately are chasing followers and clout online. A lot of people chase money or position. Of course, I’d like to make a decent living and be known for my work, but to me those things don’t make me feel successful. The only thing that makes me feel that way is when I’m happy with the quality of work I’m creating. Success isn’t something I feel I can achieve, and then sit back and say “Ok I made it”. I’ll always be focused on bettering myself and my work.
Contact Info:
- Address: 3511 Gallatin Pike
Nashville, TN 37216 - Website: matthewsimmonsphoto.com
- Phone: 9374695246
- Email: matthew@matthewsimmonsphoto.com
- Instagram: @matthewsimmonsphoto
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