I was approached about Jonathan Simmons (aka “Gunner”) by a friend who said he took some of the best pictures she’s seen in hip-hop photography. The 22-year-old Atlanta-based photog has snapped everyone from Kanye West and Migos to Riff Raff and Chance the Rapper (the Kanye pic may or may not have been a product of sneaking a camera into a show by way of a hidden pocket). He’s been featured by several publications and sites including Complex, Noisey, NME, The Fader and more.
We caught up with Simmons, who resides in Bankhead, to talk Tumblr, Lil Wayne and ATL.
CommonCreativ: How’d you end up in Atlanta?
Jonathan Simmons: I was born at Northside Hospital, so I’ve been here my whole life.
CC: What first sparked your interest in photography?
JS: My mom. She always had cameras lying around the house, and we both modeled for a bit in our lives. I didn’t really want to take it seriously until I turned 18. My friend at the time was selling his old camera, so I purchased it and just kind of fell into photography.
Photographer Jonathan Simmons
CC: How would you describe your aesthetic?
JS: It’s not where it should be, but it’s getting to that point. I’m growing everyday—at least I’m trying to.
CC: You’ve got some pretty impressive publications under your belt. How’d you get your name out there?
JS: My work speaks for itself, so if you’ve ever seen my work on a somewhat “big” online publication, it’s because they truly enjoy the work I put out.
CC: How do you promote yourself as an independent artist?
JS: Mainly Tumblr and Twitter. I integrated my Tumblr into my portfolio so it doubles the amount of views.
CC: What’s your favorite or most rewarding part of what you do?
JS: Traveling with my friends.
CC: Any words of advice for someone trying to make it as a photographer?
JS: Yeah, watch The Carter documentary by Lil Wayne every day. Every. Single. Day.
CC: What are some of your favorite spots in Atlanta?
JS: Jeni’s Ice Cream. Bocado. American Deli. Yeah Burger. J.R. Crickets. Danco Castle. The Original El Taco. Thumbs Up. American Deli. Joystick. La Botana.
CC: What do you think of the current Atlanta arts scene?
JS: It’s over saturated. It’s filled with a bunch of people thinking they can do what the next [person] can do, which is never the case. There’s no more originality. There are a few people in Atlanta restoring balance, and they know who they are. Oh, and Brick Owens is the greatest designer of our generation. He’s from Atlanta too. Look him up.
CC: What or who is your ideal photograph subject and why?
JA: Terry Richardson. I want to flip it, put the camera on him and ask him how he’s tricked everyone into paying him all that money to take the same picture he’s been taking forever.
CC: What’s next for you?
JS: I’m working on my first art show, but it’s going to take a minute because I can’t really execute it how I want to at the moment. So, I’d rather wait instead of just throwing something together. I’m also working on a book that’ll be published online with a few hard copies.
CC: Why do you make art?
JS: It’s all I know how to do. I’m not good at anything else, but creating and helping.
Check out more of Simmons’ work on his portfolio site.
