Seventy7’s 7 Movers & Shakers: Jordyn Simmons

Jordyn Simmons by Bradford Fleming & Jigg.Pics

A’ja: “Is photography something you’ve always been interested in, or was there ever a different way you wanted to express your creativity?”  

Jordyn Simmons: “Photography was definitely my first outlet for expressing my creativity, as I love graphic editing and making things visually appealing. However, I also express my creativity through other outlets, like making music and creating unique outfits.”

A’ja: “In 2023, you not only shot the cover art for Aliyahsinterlude’s single “It Girl,” but you also shot and edited the music video, which currently has accumulated over 19 million views. Do you think you’ll continue to shoot music videos in the future, and how did you find the experience overall?”

Jordyn Simmons: “That year, I decided to reach out to social media influencers, celebrities, and others, hoping to get lucky and connect with someone who might want to collaborate. Aliyahcore was one of the people who responded, along with Gio! It all started with a shoot for her and two of her friends in Little Five Points. We even got into a little trouble when she wrote her name on the wall with graffiti paint (but hey, anything for the perfect shot, right?). I used my fisheye lens for some wide shots, and she loved them, especially after I edited them! After that shoot, she ended up using one of the photos as cover art for her song “It Girl.” Given how well the shoot went, I thought it would be great to ask her about shooting her music video. She said yes, and we met up again to film clips around Atlanta. She also shot some vintage-style clips in New York, and a week later we edited everything together. Fast forward to 19 million views on the video! It was such a rewarding experience, and it made me realize that taking big risks can really pay off, as long as you believe in yourself and have confidence in your work. At the time, I wasn’t doing much videography, but people really loved the video! Aliyahcore was amazing to work with—her energy was so comforting, and we had a blast every time we collaborated! Yes, I definitely plan to create more video content in 2025. Last year was all about finding my style and figuring out what my audience enjoys. This year, I want to focus on bigger projects. I recently bought a stabilizer, so I can make my videos look more cinematic, clean, and professional. I’m excited to produce more video content this year!”

A’ja: “You released some excellent work this year; what was your favorite photoshoot you did this year and why?” 

Jordyn Simmons: “I honestly have so many favorite shoots from this year, so it’s hard to pick just one. However, there are a few that I find myself revisiting often: the McDonald’s ad-inspired shoot I did for my client Mereyazmine, the Camel Cigarettes ad look for Sage, the Wednesday Addams Halloween shoot for Gio, a painting-like shoot I did for my friend Chris, and the Y2K business shoot I recently did for Lightskinkeisha!”

Giovanna Ramos by Jigg.Pics

A’ja: “Instead of a more simple approach, your editing has character and can be playful. Typically, what is your editing process like and does it take a long time?” 

Jordyn Simmons: “My editing process is pretty straightforward—I usually just let my creativity guide me to make my work stand out. Most of the time, when I’m editing, I’m 420-friendly (lol), and I either put on my headphones or use my speaker to listen to music , depending on my environment. That helps me get into the zone and let my creativity flow. What’s surprising to most people is that I edit everything on my phone. They often assume I’m using a computer and Photoshop for all the detailed work, but I actually do everything on my phone because that’s what works best for me!”

A’ja: “How do you find a balance between being so busy as an entrepreneur and having time to enjoy life?”

Jordyn Simmons: “Being an entrepreneur is one of the easiest ways to balance social life and work because I can create my own schedule. I usually work from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., so I still have time for other things either at the beginning or end of the day, depending on my schedule. Some days are lighter, while others are more hectic, but I handle it pretty well since I work best when I can manage my own time.”

A’ja: “What are your thoughts on ensuring that you charge what you are worth in the business of creating art?”

Jordyn Simmons: “My thoughts on this revolve around the art of being realistic with yourself. I raise my prices every year because I feel that I show significant growth, and I reward myself by increasing my rates on my “Jiggaversary” to acknowledge my progress and value. I believe it’s important to understand what you deserve and to reflect the effort you put into your work in your pricing. Over the years, I’ve learned not to undersell myself. Many people have told me that I’m worth much more than I charge, and I used to worry about whether clients could afford my services. But what I’ve learned is that anyone who truly wants your work will pay for it, no matter the price. If someone recognizes your talent and potential, the cost isn’t a barrier. I strive to stay affordable but also maintain a strong sense of my worth as a photographer, and so far, this approach has been both financially rewarding and successful!”

A’ja: “What is one goal you have for 2025?”

Jordyn Simmons: “One of my goals for 2025 is to regroup and find better ways to streamline my business operations, such as sending out photos and communicating with clients. As my popularity grows and my clientele increases, I know I’ll need to start building a team because I can’t do it all on my own forever. This year is about figuring out how to make my work more manageable without getting stressed or burned out. I don’t want my job to feel like just a “job”—I want it to always be something I love and am passionate about. So, my focus this year is on building a team, hiring assistants, and finding more efficient ways to keep everything running smoothly.”

Mereyazmine by Jigg.Pics