Daily Inspiration: Meet Corbin Simms

Today we’d like to introduce you to Corbin Simms.

Hi Corbin, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Like a lot of kids growing up in a small Midwestern town, I was never really exposed to all the different paths life could take. Where I’m from, the expectation was pretty simple: graduate high school, attend a local college, find a stable job, and settle into a comfortable life. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with that path, but for whatever reason, it never felt like the one I was meant to follow.

After high school, I enrolled at the University of Cincinnati because it felt like the next logical step. Around that same time, a friend let me borrow his camera. I took a few photos of my girlfriend at the time, and to my surprise, people started telling me how good they were. That encouragement sparked something in me. I bought the same camera setup and spent every chance I got photographing friends and family, simply trying to improve.

Not long after, I reached out to a local photographer whose work I admired with an idea for a shoot. That message ended up changing my life. We became close friends, and he generously taught me everything from photography techniques to editing. Having someone willing to invest in me allowed me to improve much faster than I ever could have on my own.

About a year and a half later, and after changing majors three times and accumulating more student debt than I wanted, I made the difficult decision to leave school. I packed a few bags and moved to Long Beach, California, chasing what felt like an impossible dream: becoming a freelance photographer working with artists and celebrities.

The beginning wasn’t glamorous. I spent time sleeping in my car, crashing on couches, and doing whatever I could until I eventually got my first apartment. I took a job at Ballast Point Brewing in Long Beach, which gave me enough stability to support myself while introducing me to an incredible community of people. Outside of work, every free moment was spent networking, setting up shoots, and trying to create opportunities.

One of those opportunities led me to Will Nichols, who became my first mentor in Los Angeles. Will taught me far more than photography. He showed me how to network, build pitch decks, present myself professionally, and navigate the creative industry. Those lessons gave me the confidence to eventually step away from restaurant work and pursue photography full-time.

From there, everything began to build. I worked alongside Will while booking my own clients, developing my own style, and realizing that creativity isn’t just about taking great photos, it’s about connecting with people. I’ve always believed that being genuine opens more doors than anything else, and that’s something I’ve tried to carry with me throughout my career.

Looking back, I’m incredibly grateful I chose the road less traveled. It hasn’t always been easy, but it’s led me to experiences I never could have imagined, lifelong friendships, and opportunities I’ll never take for granted. More than anything, I’ve learned that betting on yourself can be scary, but sometimes it’s the decision that changes everything.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. There have been plenty of setbacks, mistakes, and lessons that only come from experience.

When I first moved to Los Angeles, I had a lot of ideas, but I wasn’t very outspoken. I’d find myself in the right rooms with the right people, yet I would hold back because I was nervous. I never wanted to overstep, come across as arrogant, or act like I knew more than I did.

One day, I mentioned an idea to a friend after the meeting had already ended. He looked at me and said, “Closed mouths don’t get fed.” That sentence completely changed the way I approached my career. He told me that if I didn’t start speaking up, I wasn’t going to make it in this industry. As simple as it sounds, he was absolutely right.

From that point on, I made a conscious effort to be more confident in my ideas. I learned to trust my instincts, contribute to conversations, and advocate for myself and my work. Looking back, finding my voice has probably been the single biggest turning point in my career. Many of the opportunities I’ve landed have come simply because I was willing to speak up when it mattered.

Like most creatives, I’ve also dealt with comparison, criticism, clients who weren’t completely satisfied, and the occasional ego that comes with working in creative industries. Those moments can be discouraging, but they’ve also been some of my greatest teachers.

Every challenge has made me a better creative and a better business owner. Today, I’m much more intentional in the way I work. I communicate more clearly, set expectations upfront, and approach every project with transparency and professionalism. The struggles never really stop, but you learn to adapt, make better decisions, and keep moving forward. Looking back, I’m grateful for every obstacle because each one has helped shape the person and creative I am today.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
Over the years, I’ve realized that what I really love isn’t photography, videography, or clothing design individually; it’s creating. Those are just different mediums that allow me to bring ideas to life.

For about seven years, I worked as a full-time freelance photographer and videographer. I loved the experiences, the people I met, and the opportunities it gave me, but as time went on, I realized I didn’t necessarily want freelancing to be my entire career. Today, I work as the Communications Coordinator for a country club, where I get to combine storytelling, photography, video production, marketing, and branding every day while still pursuing freelance creative work on the side.

Photography is still what I’m best known for, and it’s the craft I’ve spent the most time developing. It’s something I’m incredibly proud of, and I think my portfolio reflects years of dedication and growth. At the same time, I’ve poured a lot of energy into videography and clothing design. Sewing and designing garments has become another creative outlet that challenges me in a completely different way, and my long-term goal is to build a clothing brand where I can design the pieces and create all of the imagery and campaigns myself.

If there’s one thing that sets me apart, I think it’s my eye. Whether I’m behind a camera or behind a sewing machine, I’ve always trusted my instincts when it comes to composition, color, and design. It wasn’t something I intentionally developed; I simply created what felt right to me. Over time, people began telling me my work had a recognizable style, and that was one of the greatest compliments I could receive.

These days, I don’t try to chase trends or force an aesthetic. I focus on refining my own creative voice so that when someone sees a photo, a video, or even a piece of clothing I’ve made, they can recognize it as my work. To me, that’s what success as a creative really looks like.

What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
I think producing high-quality work is the baseline. You have to be good, if not great, at your craft. Your work is what gets your foot in the door.

What keeps the door open, though, is who you are as a person.

Looking back on my career, the vast majority of my biggest opportunities have come through word of mouth. Someone recommended me when I wasn’t in the room, a past client told a friend about me, or I met someone while working on another project. That doesn’t happen because of a portfolio alone. It happens because people enjoy working with you.

I’ve always tried to approach every project as more than just a job. Of course I want to create great visuals, but I also want people to feel comfortable, heard, and excited throughout the process. I genuinely enjoy getting to know the people I’m working with. I never want to be the person who shows up, does the work, and disappears. Some of my favorite memories have come from the conversations and relationships that happened in between taking the photos.

I’ve seen incredibly talented photographers and filmmakers lose opportunities simply because they were difficult to work with. Talent will get people’s attention, but character is what builds a lasting career.

At the end of the day, I believe people remember how you made them feel just as much as they remember the work you delivered. If you consistently put good into the world, treat people well, and care about the people you work with, those things have a way of coming back to you. That’s been true throughout my career, and I hope it always will be.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.corbntylr.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/corbntylr?utm_source=qr

Image Credits
Personal Photo Shot by Aimee Nicolas (@aimeenicolas)