Behind the Lens
I’m a visual storyteller with a background in editorial photography and a penchant for capturing the candid moments in between the poses. I’ve spent more than thirty years behind the camera, with a career that has taken me from crime scene photography (yes, I’ve shot some crazy stuff) to working as the lead wedding photographer for one of Chicago’s most popular studios, as well as serving as a first assistant to some of the top editorial photographers in the industry, including Zack Arias and Jesse Dittmar.
I’ve photographed well over 150 weddings, ranging from intimate celebrations with just a few guests to weddings with more than 500 people. Along the way, I’ve had the opportunity to photograph at many of Chicagoland’s most sought-after venues.
My style and approach is a generous mix of documentary and editorial portrait techniques. For the majority of the day, I stay very hands off, focusing 100% on the story. You won’t find me asking you or your friends to stage or recreate moments, but you will find me ready to capture those moments before they even happen.
During formal portraits, it’s a little different. I give plenty of direction, working to bring creative ideas and poses to make images that are as unique as the people in them. Though I do direct during portraits my intentions are to capture the candid moments in between the poses to give you honest, natural photos.
I hold an Associate of Arts in Photography and a Bachelor of Arts in Business, and I’m a proud military veteran, having served as an Infantryman with the U.S. Army’s 101st Airborne Division.
I live in the western suburbs of Chicago with my rather large family and our Siberian Husky, Juno.
If you love the work you see here and want something like it for yourself - please contact me. I would love the opportunity to tell your story.
“Picking Thomas was one of the best decisions of the wedding planning process. We would easily recommend him to anyone getting married in Chicago.”