Today we’d like to introduce you to Thomas Shea.
Hi Thomas, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I grew up as a visual artist drawing and painting when I could, and even had some gallery showings of my work in years past, but then I picked up my first camera about 12 years ago and, over some time, I taught myself how to use it. I couldn’t put a camera down since.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Oh no, not smooth at all. I struggle with anxiety and depression and it’s caused a lot of stress and self-doubt over the years. My photography is, among other things, a part of how I deal with it. Also, and like everything, photography comes with a learning curve and you have to have the fortitude to get through or are not that good at it at first.
It takes a considerable amount of shooting to begin to carve out a look that you start to enjoy above anything you’ve done in the past. I’m still learning and will continue to learn I believe for as long as I continue to shoot.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am a photographer from Syracuse, Utah. I specialize in contemporary landscape photography, though I long to do more portraiture. I do have experience in doing weddings, prom, and family photos as well. I’m also well known for my artistic video work that I did for the Vine app as well as music video production.
I was nominated “Art Vine of the Year” by the famous Shorty Awards in 2018 and got the opportunity to fly to New York and attend an awards show for the results. Sadly I didn’t win. I’m most proud of my photography work. That is where my passion lies and what wakes me up every day.
My photography, I believe, is also what sets me apart from others. It’s certainly a unique look at the world around us. I think my photography has a look that you don’t often find in a lot of mainstream photography.
We’d love to hear what you think about risk-taking.
Risk-taking has definitely been a part of my photography actually. I take risks going into abandoned structures to shoot because of my cursed curiosity or simply driving around at night searching for photos certainly has its own risks in itself. You get a lot of curious looks and questions when your setting up a tripod in the middle of the road, in the middle of the night, but the end result is so very satisfying to me.
I’ll put up with their curiosity if they put up with mine. Of course, I’ve been told not many times to take photos in places (I ask when I can), I’ve been kicked out, and I’ve even been yelled at and had the police called, unfortunately.
The risk, to me, is worth the potential of a great shot.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.tomfoxshea.com
- Instagram: Instagram.com/tomfoxshea
- Facebook: Facebook.com/tomfoxshea
- Twitter: Twitter.com/tommyfox
