440: Joshua Simmons – Fine art photography for galleries trumps 100k in client sales

Premium Members, click here to access this interview in the premium area. Joshua Simmons of www.fineartportrait.org came to my attention when PBX Premium Member Allana Taranto mentioned how he's creating community through Clubhouse and his beautiful work. I checked his website and was blown away by the quality of work! Seriously, his work is gorgeous! It's studio-based and most recently features beautifully posed women lit by a master of light. I made contact for an interview and was surprised to learn photography is not a significant source of income… yet. To me, his work has the makings of a very successful business. And… he's only been shooting portraits for three years! He's currently in the army, on active duty, is married with four children and is based in Texas, USA. He aims to craft and compose art displayed and sold through exhibitions and galleries. There is no greater beauty in the universe than the human form. I think it is the acme of beauty. – Joshua Simmons In an email exchange, before setting a time to record, here are some of the things Joshua shared… I greatly appreciate your kind remarks regarding my work. As to your questions, currently, my income is generated through my being an Active-Duty Warrant Officer in the United States Army. I am retiring soon and will focus entirely on my artistic and business endeavours. During this time, I will aim to craft and compose art to be displayed and sold through exhibitions and galleries. Both commissioned work and personal projects will consume most of my focus. I began shooting portraiture three years ago and got into photography, in general, five years ago. Here's some more of what we cover in the interview: What’s on Offer for Premium Members If you’re a premium member, you should have received an email with links to your version of this interview – the full length and more revealing version where you hear the absolute best tips and advice from every guest. If you’re on the fence about becoming a premium member, join with the $1 trial today and get access to the FULL interviews each week, get access to an amazing back catalogue of interviews and ALL future interviews delivered automatically to your phone or tablet. Plus special member-only interviews. Fine art is all about composition and story telling where every single element within the frame is meant to tell a story. – Joshua Simmons You'll also receive access to the members-only Secret Facebook Group where you can connect with other Premium Members and interview guests to help, support and motivate you to take ideas you hear in each episode and put them into action. There are also FB live video tutorials, role-play interviews and special live interviews happening in the group. You will not find more friendly, more motivated, caring and sharing photographers online. Seriously, that's not all. In addition to everything above, you'll get access and instructions on forming or joining a MasterMind Group with other premium members. These groups are super motivating, make you accountable and build friendships with other pro photographers with similar motives to you – to build a more successful photography business. What is your big takeaway? Following this interview, I’d love to know if you're taking anything away from what Joshua shared. Is there something you heard that excited or motivated you to the point where you thought, yeah, I'm going to do that! If so, let me know by leaving your thoughts in the comments below, let me know what your takeaways were,