We had the good fortune of connecting with Thomas Crowder and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Thomas, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
I pursued a artistic career because our society puts so much pressure on the everyday working person and I just got tired of that cycle. I’ve always been into photos and using cameras so I decided to see what I could make of my passion for photography.
Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My story starts back in 2018 when I began taking photography seriously and wanting to see where I could take my art. In 2018 I was fresh out of college, had just quit my job, and just looking for another challenge in life. My son was 3 and my now wife & I went to buy a car this one particular day. We had a great day, purchased a brand new 2018 Altima and as soon as we left the lot not even 5 minutes after signing the dotted line I was in a horrific accident. The accident completely totaled the car. By the grace of God I was able to walk away with minor cuts and bruises but that moment changed the course of my life forever. About 6 months after recovery I purchased my 1st professional camera. It was a canon 80D. I spent hours on YouTube and just researching everything I could do with the camera. I first began doing club photography & concerts in Nashville and then things just progressed into people asking what I charged for a photo session. I did my first paid shoot in winter of 2018. Of course I didn’t charge much but it opened the door for a different stream of income, clientele and of course art. With that my career just took off. I was doing at least 6 or more shoots a week, at events on the weekends, clubs, just anywhere trying to get in every room and network as much as possible.
The first 2 years were some of the hardest mentally, physically, and financially. People sometimes don’t understand the time and investing that goes into photography. Equipment is expensive and I do my best to ensure I’m providing the best quality at all times. what I’ve learned through out all my career is that your never going to make everyone happy, keep your expectations high but always remain open to what any situation may bring. Keep God first at all times and stand on what you believe.
I want people to know that photography is a art. I want people to know that when I’m out in the field creating art I’m in my best mindset and all my energy is being poured into what I love. The brand 7K Photography is all about making memories and story telling. I want people to look at my photos and feel the emotion or energy that was put into capturing that moment. I work with high-profile clients and it’s crucial to create a moment in time. I want people to feel like they were there. Those moments, the photos taken in those moments, will be looked at for years and even generations to come & to be able to say I was there and I captured that moment, it’s makes my soul feel at peace.
Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Atlanta is huge so that’s a great week long trip. We just moved out here in the last year and I’ve been on go so much it’s hard to put together a full week of things to do. My family and I have so much to explore. Honestly I would probably just bounce around from different areas. My wife is the planner and puts together things majority of the time but if I had to suggest things I would start out in Midtown and go out to Atlantic Station. Shop and eat of course. I love Newnan and McDonough. I would take my friends to K-Pop Korean BBQ out in McDonough. I would take them out to Buckhead and try out Toast on Lenox, and of course we would have to go to the camera store Broadcast Hub. Atlanta has so much to offer, it’s a endless amount of options to try out
Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
For sure. My wife and children are everything to me. My wife manages my work and our family and without her dedication, love, support, and sacrifice I am not where I am today.
Website: https://thomascrowder7.wixsite.com/mysite
Instagram: Tc_7k
Other: Please email me, message via website or IG DM for any questions or inquiries.