We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Ronald Simmons. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Ronald below.

Ronald, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Almost all entrepreneurs have had to decide whether to start now or later? There are always pros and cons for waiting and so we’d love to hear what you think about your decision in retrospect. If you could go back in time, would you have started your business sooner, later or at the exact time you started?

Yes, I wish I had started my business years ago. I started my business in 2020, when I moved back to Virginia. When I decided to start my business, I was thinking about what i love to do and my future after I retire from the Army. I am currently active duty in the United States Army and I’m approaching my retirement from military service. Prior to this I had been talking about buying a camera and really getting into photography, so I purchased a drone. As interesting as drone photography was, I still wasn’t satisfied with it and purchased a camera, a Sony a6300. Since I’ve stared my business, I have developed an eye for photography and I do believe that if I had started my business sooner, I would have gained more experience in the field.

Ronald, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I am Ronald Simmons, and I am a member of the United States Army, and a prior service US Marine. I have been in the military 24 years, and I have four deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan. I am currently a Power Generation Repair Specialist as well a photographer part time. I am married with 4 children and several pets. I have an associate degree in Digital Photography, and I have been in business since 2020. I am a Portrait photographer, and I use only Sony cameras. Prior to being a portrait photographer, I tried landscape photography, but it wasn’t as interesting or fun, so I started to photograph people and found my passion. I specialize in graduation, wedding, family, lifestyle, fashion, and portrait photography.

What sets me apart from others is my style of photography and my character. I want my clients to have a good time and feel relaxed when I’m photographing them. Prior to photographing my clients, I take the time to get to know them whether it’s a family or an individual, I’ve learned that when a client is relaxed and comfortable, they take the best portraits.

I am proud of myself for being a multi-published photographer, a service member, husband and father. Balancing all of these has been challenging, though with a great support system I have become successful in life. In light of my photography, I strive to make every photograph a memorable one.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

I think that my reputation and quality of work helped build my reputation. I have worked a lot with the military being a mechanic and not a military photographer, I have been requested to take a multitude of military class photographs. I think being in the military has given me a great insight on how to deal with various people and to never steer from being a professional at all times. In the photography business all you have is your reputation and once you are known for being “too” friendly or horrible customer service it can be hard to repair that in the customers eyes.

Can you open up about how you funded your business?

Funding my business has been a challenge at times to be honest. It’s photography and there are so many cameras and lenses that are out there, but you have to decide which one is right for you. Most times people always want the best and most expensive right away, though depending on your financial situation that can be challenging. I had some money to invest in my business but not the amount I truly needed. I have bought somethings on credit and paid off over time. Having the available credit has been the major source of my funding for my business.

Contact Info:

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