John Simmons, ASC, is an Emmy-winning cinematographer and a renowned photographer whose career spans over six decades. He is best known for his historical photography documenting Black life in America since the 1960s and his cinematography work on multi-camera sitcoms.Photography was Simmons' first creative pursuit, beginning when he was just 15 years old. Mentored by Bobby Sengstacke, he began his career shooting for The Chicago Defender, where he captured pivotal moments of the Civil Rights movement and everyday life on Chicago's South Side.Simmons predominantly works in black-and-white, stating it "cuts to the chase" and focuses on the narrative. He carries a camera daily, describing his practice as a "diary of how I see things".His photographs are held in prestigious permanent collections, including the The National Gallery of Art, Getty Museum, Harvard Art Museums, and the High Museum of Art.