Today we’d like to introduce you to Anthony Simmons.
Hi Anthony, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
When I was 12, I held my first video camera and would always record around the house. I was never good at it but I still had fun. In 10th grade, I joined the yearbook club in high school and held my first Nikon DSLR. My friend said that Canon is better than Nikon so we’ve been fighting about it ever since. I bought my first camera a year later and have been trying to get better every day. When I got to college, I started doing shoots for free for my friends which led me to getting clients for graduation photos. Although the money wasn’t consistent, I still enjoyed what I was doing. This year, I got an LLC for my photography business and have been carefully creating a market plan that gives me a good work/life balance. Although medical school is number 1 on my list, photography will always be a passion close to my heart.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
This road hasn’t been easy and probably won’t ever be. I have had potential clients canceled or not respond to messages because “I charge too much.” I’ve been doing this for 11 years now and can honestly say that my experience and work speaks for itself. I have clients that I work with monthly who have no complaints.
But to answer the question, I would say getting a steady flow of clients has always been an obstacle.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Currently, I am a licensed EMT in the state of Florida. I work for Inspire Diagnostics as a contractor doing Covid-19 testing for the Disney Cruise Line out in Port Canaveral, FL. This May, I will be graduating from The University of Florida with my master of science degree in microbiology and cell science with a concentration in medical microbiology and biochemistry. From there, I will pursue medical school in hope of becoming an orthopedic surgeon specializing in minimally invasive spinal surgery and artificial disc replacement.
Although medicine/healthcare is #1 on my list, photography is still one of my top passions in life. I am proud of the work I have done in both fields, especially during this pandemic. I have been able to travel to different states to assist in the vaccination efforts while helping clients capture the memories they want to remember.
I would say I am known for my portraits. Every client has mention something about how vibrant with colors my photos are and I take great pride in compliments of that sort.
Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
Music makes me happy. I learned to play the piano when I was 8 years old then was forced to learn the violin. At the age of 15, I mastered every string instrument excluding the harp. The guitar and violin are my favorites. Music makes me happy because it gives me a chance to express my emotions without saying any words.
Contact Info:
- Email: anthony.simmons322@gmail.com
- Website: www.anthonysimmonsphotos.com
- Instagram: www.Instagram.com/anthonysimmonsphotos
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/atony32/
Image Credits
Anthony Simmons
