Today we’d like to introduce you to Abigail Simpson.
Hi Abigail, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Photography has been a part of me for as long as I can remember. I’ve been taking photos since I could hold up a camera. It has always been my way of connecting with the world around me. Growing up, my parents believed in a worldly education, so I had the privilege of traveling to places that shaped how I see and experience life. Photography became my way of telling stories and showing others where I saw beauty.
Art school was a big chapter for me. That’s where everything truly began to click. I discovered that graphic design was a real career choice and pairing that with photography, my creative side felt totally at home. Suddenly, I was surrounded by like minded individuals: all equally passionate, expressive and inspiring. No boundaries only possibilities. The freedom to experiment, push limits, and dive deep into my own vision was life-changing. I was able to evolve not just as a photographer, but as a multimedia artist, constantly discovering new ways to express myself. Traveling and learning peaked the interest of balancing stillness and intensity in my own work.
Now, I’ve opened Spike Studio here in town, which has been an exciting next step. It is a creative studio that offers both Graphic Design and Photography services. It’s my chance to really solidify my practice, a place where my work can truly live and breathe, where I can invite others into my world and collaborate in meaningful ways. After spending years living elsewhere, returning home to Houston has been a deeply rewarding experience. I’ve loved reconnecting with the city and diving into new experiences.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road, but I know that’s part of what makes the journey meaningful. There have been a lot of challenges, both personal and professional, but they’ve all shaped me.
As artists the struggle is almost a given, it’s the classic trope. Often, it’s through our pain that we create some of our most beautiful work (unfortunately, I have found this to be very true). During times of grief, writing has been my source of calm. In moments of anxiety, my camera has been my only out. Recently, I’ve intentionally started things I’m not good at, like painting & ceramics, where I’ve learned to give myself grace while learning… and there has been a lot of mistakes. There’s a sense of comfort in creating; whenever something difficult arises, it always feels like returning to home base as a way to work things out.
There’s also the huge challenge of balancing my artistic vision with the practical side of running a business. I went to art school, not business school, so this has been a humbling and difficult learning curve, to say the least. It’s pushed me to self-motivate and continually educate myself in areas I never anticipated, or have even heard of until now. There are a lot of hats to wear: artist, creative, accountant, outreach, social media, and so so so many more. Struggle is just part of the game but not doing it has never been an option and I know that it will shape into something I, and hopefully others, love.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’d say my approach is definitely non-traditional. I encourage my design and photography clients to think outside the box and approach their projects from a unique perspective. Whether that’s having a meeting in a new space, finding inspiration from a totally different market or product or just asking questions in a way I think they may have not heard before. A lot of my inspiration comes from designers like David Carson and Paula Scher. Designers who broke the rules and pushed boundaries in their work. When I was younger, I always asked myself, “How can I make this photo look like something no one has ever seen before?” Now theres a lot more to factor in, but I still think about it every once in a while.
My portrait photography is edgy and bold. It’s incredibly rewarding to see people light up when they get a headshot that feels fresh and different from the typical ones they’re used to. In terms of graphic design, I specialize in both print and web, with a particular focus on projects like poster designs, event identities, menu work and websites. I like to find the edge in projects and push a brand or client into a new space while maintaining their identity.
What I’m most proud of is the portfolio I’ve built over the years. It feels like an authentic reflection of who I am and my individual personality. As an artist, that’s all you can really hope for: a body of work that truly shows who you are without words.
Have you learned any interesting or important lessons due to the Covid-19 Crisis?
I graduated in 2020, and right as I was about to launch into my career, all my interviews got canceled and like everything else, all my progress came to a halt. My career definitely took a dive, especially considering I had no true experience on my hands so it was tough to freelance. I took every single job that was offered to me without hesitation.
Honestly, I have no idea where I’d be if COVID hadn’t happened—probably still living in New York, working at a big ad agency like I always wanted. I still have a lot of love for the driven art school grad who wanted to “make it big,” but after everything the pandemic put us through, I’m a completely different person now and content to be building something slowly in my hometown. Very happy to be done with the age of coaching clients through Zoom calls.
I’m focused on creating community and fostering meaningful connections through everything I create for myself and others. That shift in what I wanted from my career is probably one of the most important lessons I’ve learned.
Pricing:
- Portraits starting at $250
- Event Photography starting at $300
- Design work starting at $150
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.spikestudio.co/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/spike.htx/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/abigailain/
