Behind the Camera

Just who’s behind the camera anyway? Well, let me introduce myself. My name is Thomas and I am a certified professional photographer living in the suburbs just outside of Chicago; Naperville to be exact. And this is my story-book-journey on how — and where — it all began.

As a child and through my teen years, I grew up in the Rocky Mountain regions of Colorado, Montana, Idaho, Utah, and Wyoming. I absolutely loved spending my days outdoors; whether on the river fly fishing or exploring the majestic mountains that surrounded me. It was during those teen years when I purchased my first camera, a Minolta XG-SE 50mm camera, and it was with this camera where I honed in on my passion — photographing landscapes & wildlife.

PET PHOTOGRAPHY 

Later in my adult life, I was introduced to a spunky, long-hair double dapple dachshund. Of course, I didn’t realize it then, but he rescued me when I didn’t even know I needed it. He wrapped his tiny little paws around my heart and in that moment — I knew he would become my furever friend. We did everything together and we’ve been everywhere together. We were inseparable to say the least. In Peanut’s own sense of adventure, with his quirky style and playfulness — I knew I had to somehow capture those spirited moments. I had to photograph him . . . . and thus it happened. I took hundreds if not thousands of photos of our adventures together. Afterwards I'd post them on FaceBook, just so I'd have these memories.

UNLEASH YOUR PET'S POTENTIAL

I’ve evoked the same consistent approach I’ve used in photographing landscapes & wildlife. And because of these invaluable lessons, it provided me with a background that became a natural fit for photographing pets. Honestly, what began as a simple obsession with my fur baby, turned into a pet photography business.

My photography style and those who’ve influenced me most are Ansel Adams, Art Wolfe, William Patino, Simon D'entremont, Peter Lik, and Tin Man Lee — all who are world renowned landscape and wildlife artists. Their workshops, in conjunction with my alma mater, the New York Institute of Photography and the Professional Photographers of America, have taught me invaluable details on how to appreciate natural light, the use of colors — including black & white, different compositions, but most importantly, the subjects I photograph. These incredible techniques have enabled me to give you your own special memories immortalized within these stunning photographs.

Thank you for taking an interest in my story and I look forward to photographing your unique  memories that will last furever.

By the way, I still own that Minolta XG-SE 50mm camera.

Thomas O’Connell

Founder | CEO of Furever Wild Photography Corp.