Meet THOMAS LYNCH: Photographer

We had the good fortune of connecting with THOMAS LYNCH and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi THOMAS, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
I chose this route because everything in my life had been telling me what to do, what I need to do to succeed in life, to obtain money and be happy. Yet none of my jobs were fulfilling for me. Once I picked up a camera, there was a major shift in my emotions, thoughts, just overall it made me feel.. different. 5 years later I have finished college, and had some time at my desk job at Facebook. After about 2 years there, I decided it was time to really try all that I could to become a full time photographer. I moved to LA with some friends from college and here I am, still on this journey.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I am a Photographer through and through. I do not like to limit myself to just one industry; Whether it is portraits, weddings, concert, documentarian, brand, or even lifestyle, I thoroughly enjoy all of them. However I am most excited for my portraiture and press shots this upcoming year. I have been transitioning from digital to analog photography in my paid work and looking to really make that a huge part of my work moving forward. I currently work at 35m Pro Film Lab in Sherman Oaks during the week, and freelance on the weekends. During the pandemic, much like a lot of other creatives, work came to a halt. So I had to adapt. I grabbed a job at Ralph’s for about 5 months, worked at a dispensary, and have finally ended up at the lab. It was not easy to get where I am today, I thought about moving back up to the Bay Area many times. I couldn’t give up on myself though. I just stayed persistent with my dedication to bettering my work and my mindset. It’s really mind > matter. Day in day out I tell myself I can do it.

Some lessons I learned along the way was all about mental and physical health. I was struggling for so long when I was unemployed. It was weighing so heavy on my mind and affecting my overall belief in myself. I decided I needed to reset and make a change in my life. I started running again, 4 times a week minimum and it was a game changer. I worked in lifting weights at home and it helped more than I can really describe. Making sure I myself am genuinely happy helped translate into my work and I can see/feel a shift for the better.

What do I want the world to know about my brand? For me, photography is all about capturing a precise moment in the experience I am creating for the client. It really is all about the experience. You can see how the subject is feeling when you take a picture of them. They need to feel comfortable. They need to feel confident. They need to know that they are doing a great job. That is on me to help get them to that level and provide that experience for them. So I will make sure they feel confident, comfortable, excited to be there and enjoying themselves during the shoot. So when they look back at the images they will remember how they felt at that exact moment.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
This question actually comes at a perfect time. It just so happens my parents are coming to visit for the first time since I have moved to LA. Keep in mind that most of the time I have lived in LA has been during the pandemic. Some of the things that we have planned are quite simple but just nice areas to hang around in. We are huge beach people so I will be taking them to Malibu, I know my dad has never been before. I’ll also show them this abandoned radio tower in Topanga Canyon that I worked a super unique job. I assisted in the “Bob Moses: Falling into Focus” livestream/ short film. I sent them a ton of pictures during the job so I want to show it to them. Will also bring them by my work at 35m Pro and show them around.

Going to also hike the Hollywood Sign, just to do it to cross it off the list for them. If you live in LA I feel like you gotta do that with friends since it is Iconic. The Arts District is an area we could spend a whole day in as well. There’s a few breweries over there that are a good time.

There is so much good food all around me in Sherman Oaks so I have no exact place decided just yet. BUT if they were here for a week I would go to the following places: Jitlada Thai Restaurant, Hot n Juicy Crawfish, Kogi BBQ Taco Truck, Birria San Marcos, Crabby Crab, On The Thirty, Granville, and Street Pupusa or Taco Trucks. Also hitting the beaches in Laguna area would be dope, an all day adventure for sure. Aside from that I would definitely cook for them at the house and take them around my neighborhood. Give them a taste of the everyday life.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Some shout outs to who have helped me get to where i am: Obviously my parents. Would not be here without them. But major shoutout my friends who have helped push me, and believe in me. Also shoutout all the agencies, managers, models who have turned me down and did not think my work was up to parr, without them I would not strive to be better than I was. Some individuals that have helped me out majorly: Jake Southard, amazing talented individual with both photo and video, a brother to me. Kaytee Rae, a madly gifted photographer and producer and a very dear friend of mine. Will Orantes, an Assistant Director and Director of photography, he has shown me the ropes for quite a few things with a camera and really helped connect me with other likeminded people. Keoni Mars, he’s helped me get on most of the production sets I have been on in LA. His vision and humbleness are some of my favorite attributes about him. Major shoutout my roommates helping me keep going when life was rough during covid. I really do have to thank them. If it wasn’t for them, i may not still be here in LA. Lastly, shoutout myself. I really did keep pushing even when I did not want to. It goes to show that you really can count on yourself when you need to.

Website: www.tlynchphoto.com

Instagram: www.instagram.com/tlynchphoto

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomaspatricklynch/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Tlynchphoto

Image Credits
Photo of me: Ben Yi @ben_yiii black wand white photo of brunette woman : Katie Reese @reesekate Blonde Girl in yellow shirt: Sarah Polednak @sarahpolednak Double Exposure of singer: Tom Howie from Bob Moses BTS Shot for Falling Into Focus: Garet Jasek @Garet_jasek, Tom Howie @bobmosesmusic, Senda Bonnet @senda.bo BLM photos: tags N/A BTS Photo: Garet Jasek @garet_jasek and William Walsh @willpowercinema woman with newspaper: Katie Reese @reesekate