Today we’d like to introduce you to Natalie Simmons.
Hi Natalie, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
When I was a child, I always had a camera in my hands thanks to my dad gifting me a VHS camera that was bigger than I was at the time. I would use it to capture all of our family holidays and gatherings for home videos. As I grew older, I was always making skate and dirt bike videos for my neighborhood friends. My cinematography career wouldn’t be what it is today without action sports, especially racing motocross. My mindset shifted from motorcycle to camera when I was in a motorcycle accident that left me in a wheelchair for a year. It was a way to still be involved in the sport because I physically wasn’t capable of excelling in it after my accident. I went on to film action sports professionally, and it led to where I am today filming music videos, commercials, and for television.
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?
That’s a tough question for me. In my opinion, I think this industry is definitely all about “who you know.” I didn’t go to college or attend a “film program” so I just had to get out in the field and learn what I could from everyone that would let me follow them around and pick their brain. I know that in the film industry, in the camera department specifically, there are few women. Growing up racing motocross, like I mentioned before, there were very few females participating so it wasn’t a “new” feeling to me being the only female on set. As time goes on, there are more and more females on set, and I think at the end of the day we all just want to be looked at as an equal, no matter what.
I know that without all of the patient people in my life willing to let me tag along to learn from them, I wouldn’t be in the position I am today. I am so thankful to everyone that has allowed me to learn from them when I first started and those who continue to allow me to grow with them every time I am on set.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am a freelance director of photography. I have spent a lot of time on set over the years as a 1st AC as well. I would consider my “specialty” to be capturing video with high action, and I think that that comfortability comes from filming motocross, skateboarding, and snowboarding in my younger years. It allows me to bring high-energy camera work which assists in some scenarios. A lot of my work from my earlier career consisted of capturing athletes in their elements, it was very “run and gun” for companies like Red Bull and Nitro Circus. This meant I focused more on my framing and learning my camera itself over lighting and set design, etc. Over time, I’ve really enjoyed growing into the DP that I’ve always wanted to be, learning all equipment across departments and working with a team to make the picture come to life.
I am most proud of the last few years of my career where I have been honored to work with Dolly Parton. I am freelance, but I work with Dolly’s management team at CTK Enterprises very often. It’s been an incredible experience getting to work with her and her entire team. I’ve had the privilege of DPing music videos for her and lead camera operating on her latest Super Bowl commercial.
It’s hard to say what “sets me apart from others.” I think I would say that throughout my career I’ve captured content in so many different scenarios that I feel confident adapting to any environment – from the Dolly Parton sets, to camera operating from a kayak for a fishing show. I just love what I do, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything. I bring the mindset of: “we are all doing this because we love it, so have fun” to every set I work on.
How can people work with you, collaborate with you, or support you?
I love meeting and working with new people! Feel free to check out my work on my website, www.scrutnyproductions.com, and find me on Instagram, @nataliemicah, so we can connect!
Also, I am working on my passion project, BLKTOP/ENDS (IG: @blktopends). It is a video series that showcases women in the outdoor and action sports industries. We’ve released our first episode featuring singer Brittany Howard on a fly fishing adventure.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.
scrutnyproductions.com - Instagram: nataliemicah
Image Credits
Ash Summerford
