Vendor Spotlight: Tom Thornton Photography
Photography is such a huge part of the wedding and it is important to do your research and find the perfect photographer that fits your personality and style. We love being able to interview different photographers here on our blog so couples are able to learn more about them. This week, we are featuring Tom Thornton Photography.
What do you love most about being a wedding photographer?
There are a lot of answers that could fit into this, but I think it’s as simple as getting to be the one to create people’s visual history. When you think about it, the photos at a wedding are the memories that will be used to tell a families legacy for generations to come. I find so much joy in getting to celebrate not only a couple’s new chapter, but all the relationships from their entire lives that are all present in one place. Photography is an investment that genuinely only gets more valuable with time - people leave us and generations end, but think of how these moments will forever be frozen in time - and to be the one who captured those moments? Now, that’s what I love the most.
What led you to the wedding industry, specifically?
Back in high school, before I even owned a camera, I had a friend who was quickly getting into the wedding photography community. She had spent years dabbling in portrait work, and I was there to watch her grow day-by-day. I was alway interested in pursuing it myself, but never took the leap. One day towards the end of the summer during junior year, she passed away in an accident. It was that moment that made me realize the value of documenting our lives - the photos we had together quickly became inexplicably more valuable to me, and the next week I purchased my first camera. I started in portraits, following in her footsteps, eventually shooting my first wedding for another high school friend. From there, it just kept growing as more people realized I could help them document big moments in their lives. It started as a hobby, but it switched to more of a serious career in college. After an internship with a now dear friend, that’s when it really took off. Now I can’t imagine doing anything else. What was once a truly devastating moment in my life eventually turned into an incredible way for me to honor a friend.
What are your favorite wedding trends right now?
I think my favorite trends right now are seeing couples find new ways to make their days truly intentional. There was a big shift in the wedding industry this past decade to consider eloping, despite what that word meant not long ago. While a drive-thru elopement in Las Vegas may have once been the only way to truly “elope”, I’m seeing a new wave if just intentional celebrations come through these days - and it seems to be even more so now that we navigate the new COVID reality. I think there’s less pressure to get married the traditional way are really just choose to tailor a day (or days) that are meaningful to the couple and their relationship. A small ceremony in the woods in 2020 and a pizza party celebration with all your friends and family in 2021? I’m here for it.
Tell us about your most memorable and fun wedding/event.
I think my most memorable/fun wedding was back in 2016 when I was able to photograph my Aunt’s second wedding. They celebrated at Disney World which certainly makes for a memorable day, but it was a little different this time around. I was part of my Aunt’s first wedding, but back then I was only 8 years old. Had you told me back then I’d eventually photograph her wedding, I don’t even know what I would have thought. What I can say is I was a nightmare to pose for photos, so that completely changed my perspective for the future! :)
There really is something to be said about photographing weddings and the value in that work, but it’s a completely different experience when it’s your own family - getting photos of my Grandma dancing with Mickey Mouse? That’s all I really need to say, honestly.
What makes you unique from other wedding photographers?
The experience you get with any photographer is always going to be unique, and their success can always be measured in so many ways. I think something that sets me apart from other photographers is that I’ve never been in this line of work for anyone other than the people I get to serve. Photographing life events goes so much further than myself, and to be able to provide couples with something that reflects that is an experience I can’t personally put into words. We have an incredible community of photographers in this area, and they all bring something special. But, my hope for anyone I work with is that I feel like more than just a vendor to them.
Can you tell us about your packages and price point?
I offer a range of packages depending on the structure of your day. I offer coverage for small elopements of 5 to weddings of 300+. My packages range from $2,300 - $3,300 depending on how long your day may look!
Tom Thornton
Tell us one thing we might not know about you otherwise.
Something most don’t really know is that I grew up as a music kid. I played trumpet from 4th grade through my first year of college. I played in the concert band, orchestra, pep band at sporting events, and competed in our local marching band during the summers. I’ve since ended my trumpet days, but have been trying to learn piano with all this extra time thanks to COVID. In another life, I would have learned to play the cello, too - maybe someday in the future!
