Today we’d like to introduce you to Tyler Thomas.
Tyler, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
Well, I started taking pictures when I was maybe about six or seven. My grandma literally always had a camera in her hand and was taking pictures of everything. So as far back as I can remember she always let us use the disposable film cameras, or her digital cameras once she got one and just let us go crazy with the pictures. From there, I knew I had a love for photography but never acted on it. Come 2014/15 JohnnyPulls and ShotbyDiego both were coming into their own with their own photography/videography work, and they both played a HUGE role in getting me to pick photography up seriously. We started 3MProductions around then, and they’re a big reason to this day that I keep going and keep progressing with everything. People received my work well and told me to keep pursuing my dreams so I did!
Great, 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?
I don’t think anyone has had a completely smooth road. If they say they have, then they’re more than likely lying to you. It hasn’t been the easiest journey, but its also nowhere near what some people have to face and I know that. I’ve failed more times than I can even count..but the successes are what hold weight, and mean the most to me in the long run.
Both of my parents were born deaf, so that seems in itself to have its own obstacles/challenges presented on the daily. A challenge that’s hard for myself to overcome till this day is just releasing work without the fear of it being judged. I take pride in my work and work very hard on it. So the thought of somebody shooting it down is something that never sat well with me. Also, some of the more unprofessional people in our profession make it hard to stay professional, but as you go along, you start to learn that everything isn’t what it seems. You start to adjust and realize that everything is exactly what they say it is a business. Which presents an obstacle in and of itself; trying to keep the balance between the integrity of your art, and the profits of the business aspects of it.
Please tell us about Thomasthetyler Photography.
I’m a freelance film photographer, and I specialize in film portraits, behind the scenes, and pretty much anything pertaining to photography. Being a part of the collective 3M is what I was known for best, but now we are a part of SOS which is a collective based in Atlanta. A group complete with creatives, musicians, producers, anything you can think of, we got it. I’m most proud of the growth we’ve made as a unit and continue to make. It’s not everyday you find a group of people who want to do the same thing as you, and you all stick around for the long run. It’s the bigger picture that matters, and we all know that! Something that sets me apart from others in my field, is I think, is my style of photography. When I started, I told myself I wanted my pictures to make you feel like you’re looking at an old family photo album, and I think I’ve achieved that. Something organic, and genuine rather than something that just feels forced. With my work, you don’t have to be the prettiest, richest, most famous, just be you. Which is something I love most about my work.
Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
Honestly, there’s so many to choose from. Through all the struggles, I was blessed to have a big family who would always stick by each-others side, no matter what. My favorite memory is not really a memory but a collection of them, any holiday we celebrated at my grandma’s house. We always had cousins, aunts, uncles, anybody you can think of at the house and I think that’s what made everything so special as a kid. Sharing those small moments over a number of years with the people who really mean the world to you.
Pricing:
- Pricing varies for shoots, but prices start as low as $40
Contact Info:
- Phone: 470-373-7097
- Email: thomasthetyler@gmail.com
- Instagram: Instagram.com/thomasthetyler
- Twitter: Twitter.com/thomasthetyler
Image Credit:
Thomasthetyler
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