Meet Javari Simmons | Entrepreneur

We had the good fortune of connecting with Javari Simmons and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Javari, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
My thought process behind starting my own business was always centered around ownership and creative freedom. Growing up, I’ve always been a creative kid, constantly exploring different outlets—from attempting to be a barber, (notice I said attempt) to trying my hand at event balloon décor. But no matter what I did, one thing remained consistent: I wanted to be my own boss.

For me, ownership meant having the ability to do what I want, when I want, and how I want. That independence was a driving force in everything I pursued. Photography was the craft that truly captured my passion, but the mindset of being an entrepreneur was already ingrained in me.

I officially launched my business during my senior year of high school, using my internship experiences to not only gain valuable skills but also to fund my business. That hands-on learning shaped how I run JVPhoto today—focusing on quality, creativity, and full control over my vision.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My journey as a photographer is deeply personal, and what truly sets me apart is being able to run a successful and lucrative business while still being an undergraduate student at Prairie View A&M. Balancing both has been far from easy. I’ve sacrificed a lot of typical college experiences to make my business thrive, but for me, the long-term vision was always worth it.

Getting to where I am today required unwavering commitment—not just to my business, but to myself and my craft. I’m my biggest critic; you could ask any of my photographer friends. I’m constantly pushing myself, always trying to outdo my last shoot. This road has been full of trial and error, and I’ve had to learn to give myself grace. At the end of the day, I’m only 22, which is still very young to most, and I remind myself that growth takes time.

One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that everyone moves at their own pace. You start draining yourself when you’re too focused on other creatives’ success instead of your own. At some point, you have to stop being just a consumer and become the producer.

I want the world to know that I started from nothing. I didn’t come from wealth, and my upbringing wasn’t ideal. Growing up, I was afraid to fully be myself. But I’ve learned that life doesn’t write my story—I do. I control my narrative, my outcomes, and my success. When it’s all said and done, I want to leave this world truly satisfied, with unconditional love for myself and what I’ve contributed.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I love a good brunch or day party vibe! If my best friend was visiting, we’d definitely hit up Lost and Found in Houston — I’ve been there a couple of times, and the food and atmosphere never miss. For a night out, I’d take them to a club with really good music, like Off The Record downtown, where the vibe is always on point.

I wish I could set up a full week-long itinerary of activities, but honestly, I love just being at home. Good music, homemade food, a glass of wine, and vibes—it’s never failed me. And the best part? It’s free! Sometimes, the best moments aren’t about going out but just creating a space where you can truly relax and enjoy yourself.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I have to give a huge shoutout to my community for supporting me when I was first starting out. I remember back in 2020, during a really tough time for everyone, I experienced a major setback—my equipment caught fire due to a technical malfunction. It was devastating, but my community came together and helped raise the money to replace exactly what I needed. That moment really solidified how much support I had around me, and I’ll always be grateful for that.

I was also heavily inspired by portrait photographers like Garrett Edgerson from Southern University and Blair Caldwell, who is now Beyoncé’s main photographer. Although I didn’t have much direct mentorship, I studied their work and used it to spark my own creative process. Their artistry showed me what was possible and pushed me to develop my own unique style.

So, my shoutout goes to my community, the people who believed in me from the beginning, and the photographers who inspired me to keep pushing forward.

Website: https://thejvphoto.mypixieset.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thejvphoto

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/javari-simmons-6145a3241/