Meet Mishawn Simms | Photographer & Educational Counselor

We had the good fortune of connecting with Mishawn Simms and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Mishawn, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
Initially, starting my own business was a path to additional income—a side hustle—and it didn’t start with photography. My first business was a personal training company, and then I went and got my real estate license and did that for a concise while. At this time, I had a Master’s in Educational Counseling, a Bachelor’s degree in Family Studies and Apparel Merchandising with a minor in Marketing for some extra spice. I was a practicing middle school counselor, but I felt like something was missing—other than the money needed to thrive in Los Angeles—a creative outlet! At this time, photography didn’t come to mind, but I loved working out, so that seemed like the best supplemental business—it wasn’t. It started to impede my passion for fitness and wasn’t fun anymore. Real Estate was a “quick money-making plan” that failed because I had no desire to be an agent—a salesperson. As a lifelong learner, I found the process of preparing for the exam much more enjoyable than the business side—I passed on my first attempt!

Yet, with 3 degrees, 1 credential, and 5 certifications, I still felt empty. I knew I didn’t want to do anything I wasn’t passionate about; it had to encompass a creative entity and have endless learning possibilities. Here comes photography to the rescue! I had finally found my dream career—now how do I make this a business? The idea to turn this into a business was really fueled by potential clients reaching out to request pictures after seeing my work online. I didn’t have any systems for booking, no website, and I didn’t even have pricing plans. I knew I needed to create structure, and this was my chance to build my dream job. My passion for research/learning kicked in; I was able to build out all these platforms/systems on my own—no hired help—just YouTube and a few books. My business was started. To gain clients, I did a lot of work for free. It allowed me to practice my craft and build a client portal. I began to gain more clients, and my business started making money. Because I also enjoy going out and capturing the world, I incorporated the sale of prints into my business model. This was the ultimate cherry on top, and the process of going out and shooting alone, in my own zone, made for an amazing meditative experience.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My journey to photography was one paved with the roads of what I’m “supposed” to be doing. It took me a while to step back and really find what I was passionate about—to really tap into what makes me happy. And that’s the lesson, right? Take time to find what you are passionate about and do that—not what you think you’re “supposed” to do.

I’m thankful that photography has given me a means to make money, but most importantly, to do something that makes me happy. I’m most proud of the way my work has changed the way I see the world. I’m always looking at the beauty in it. It keeps me grounded and tuned into my surroundings. This is so important given the unlimited amount of distractions we have access to. Also, I’m most proud that I get to help people preserve memories and create moments.

My photography is amplified not by a wealth of technical skills but by my ability to connect with my subjects. Be it close contact subjects for portrait shoots or distant captures in my street photography, my ability to find entryways into subjects has elevated my work in ways technical factors could never. Incorporating skills like motivational interviewing, active and informational listening, and good old-fashioned patience provides space for me to tap into the true essence of a subject and/or moment. To supplement this depth, I tend to use rich, deep tones and clean compositions so the subject truly shines in their story. I want people to know that when they buy a print, book a session, or simply view my work online, my only hope is they receive as much happiness as I did creating that photographic moment.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
The first stop on their visit would be Golden Road Brewery in Atwater, after I pick them up from Burbank Airport—wishful thinking. They have great vegan options to go with great beer brewed on-site. The rest of the week would include trips to The Huntington Library and Botanical Gardens, Venice Beach/Santa Monica Pier, a show at the Hollywood Bowl, and a few museums—The Getty, The Broad, and The Annenberg Space for Photography are top of the list.

Our eating itinerary would include one of the many food street markets in LA, paired with a flea market of sorts. A mandatory trip to Crossroads Kitchen off Melrose—truly delicious vegan experience. APB bar with vegan sushi provided by Niku Nashi is definitely on the list, and the following would fill the week:
– Just what I kneaded-Frogtown: Amazing pastries, breakfast, and lunch (Vegan)
– Nic’s on Beverly- Beverly Grove: Great happy hour menu and you can’t beat their brunch menu (Vegan)
– De Buena Plants- Silverlake: Great outdoor patio, Mexican cuisine (Vegetarian with a few dairy products)
– Belles Beach House- Venice Beach: Hawaiian Izakaya cuisine, great tiki-bar island vibes with great drinks (Vegan Options)

Lastly, you can’t come to LA and not go for a hike, take a day trip to Santa Barbara, and possibly stay overnight in Palm Springs if time allows.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My mother, my number one fan, supporter, and confidant—she is my hero. She encourages me to go after anything I desire, and she is always there to pick me up and put me back on track when life throws me off. My grandparents, who raised me and inspired me to be a lifelong learner and critical thinker. They planted the seeds of my intellectual tree—it is my greatest quality.

My friends, the best a girl could ask for. They show up for me and always allow me to show up as myself—whatever that looks like on a given day, lol. They support me and are my biggest inspirations in life.

Website: OhSnapsMish.com

Instagram: Mish_MS

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mishawn-simms-m-s-ed-pps-408b3930/

Other: https://ohsnapshmish.darkroom.com/

Image Credits
Oh Snaps Mish- Photography by Mishawn Simms