Meet Logan Simmons: Professional Travel + Wedding Photographer

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

Hi Logan, what do you attribute your success to?
The most important thing – no question – is the importance of staying true.

I have learned over the past 10 years that I’m just not physically able to walk into a room and be someone else. The mistake a lot of entrepreneurs make is allowing the comparison of others’ success to mold their personalities into what they “think” they’re supposed to be.

Now, in a world that is ran by social media, the stakes are even higher. We have to “one-up” everyone, because we can see they have more followers than us, are producing more content than us, are working with more popular people than us, are booking more clients than us, etc. We lose the vision that made us want to wake up and do this job in the first place.

Success is just a word unless it has substance. It isn’t a number on a social site, it isn’t a blue check, it isn’t even the amount of clients you’re booking or, honestly, the amount of money you’re making.
Success is your ability to build a reputation and trust with people.
Success is waking up everyday feeling like this is what you’re SUPPOSED to be doing.
Success comes from a place of authenticity. A place of honesty, a place of kindness, a place of friendship.

Success is the act of believing whole-heartedly in a vision that only you see, and working diligently and humbly until others decide to notice the vision, too.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I’ve evolved, I’ll say that. It’s taken 10 years of sometimes being an awful photographer, and sometimes being an incredibly success photographer, to realize that the learning will never stop.

I had this dream at 13 years old.
I shot my first wedding at 15.
I always knew this is where I’d be, but I didn’t know where or when.
Truth is, the thoughts I was having at 15, I’m still having now at 25 – knowing the vision + believing in it, but unsure of exactly how I’ll get there. Just taking this career day by day, loving the business and who it comes in contact with the best I can.

My story is as simple as this – I’m still growing.
Getting to this stage of my career was the furthest thing from easy, but it is so beyond rewarding.

I’ve learned this…
Authentically getting to know people is the only way to succeed. Making connections + truly devoting time to learning about the community around you will never be a regret of mine. I am who I am because of the people I’ve surrounded myself with.

Being a professional means not always being professional.
My best connections + success stories have came about in the most low-key ways. It’s happened in organically and in random ways. It’s taught me that being myself in every single situation will always win.

You don’t have to know it all. Having people you can rely on to ask questions is how it’s supposed to go.
At one point, I thought that even if I didn’t have it together, I had to act like it, because I was a “professional”.
Bullcrap.
We’re all humans walking on the same dirt and spinning on the same ball – ASK QUESTIONS when you’re unsure, and remember that “not knowing” is a part of your growth.

If my brand is remembered by anything at all, I hope it’s remembered by the fact that I’d rather show up to this life everyday being exactly myself, nothing more + nothing less, than trying to get people to think I’m someone I’m not.
I can’t stress the importance of being genuine.
This business would be nothing without me being unapologetic.
This brand will always embody love, and before anything else, authenticity.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Though I am from the “Atlanta area”, my actual hometown is Gillsville, GA – and that’s where I’d bring someone. The great thing about Atlanta is not only the incredible places inside the city, but the little unknown spots + communities right outside the perimeter.

I’ll say this, though – a Braves game + Mary Mac’s Tea Room is a MUST!!

Otherwise, I’d take them North about 40 min to Lake Lanier.
We’d eat either at Pigtails, Rabittown Cafe (shoutout to my home), or one of the yummmmmy spots on the Gainesville Square.

There’s nothing much better to me than bringing someone to your hometown. The whole community in Gainesville is exciting – the people feel like home, the atmosphere is the best, and it’s growing like a weed.
A perfect week for me would look like spending time on the lake, visiting my family’s farm, nightlife on the square, and visiting the North GA mountains for some views. Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Logan Simmons Photography wouldn’t have a name if it weren’t for the people around me who believe in me.

I’d dedicate this to –
My parents, who support any idea / thought I’ve ever had about this business.

My friends, new and old, who encourage me + know the heart of my vision.

My family, who would support me anytime, anywhere, without question.

The Gray’s, The Bolt’s, The Stancil’s, The Coker’s, The Morris’, The VanGorder’s, The McLeroy’s, and SO many more solid humans that I have become so close with who have, with all of their heart, pushed me to be better – and believe in who I was, who I am, and who I want to be. (I’m definitely leaving out several, but they know who they are).

Website: logansimmonsphotography.shootproof.com

Instagram: @logansimmonsphotography

Image Credits
Logan Simmons Photography Headshot of Logan Simmons: Austin Martin Photography