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

Hi Von, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
Starting my fine art printing business began as my interest in photographer started in 1974. It was a very long road, and many evolutions of photography from analog to digital before I became a fine art printer. I began photography in the music business, first by sneaking into concerts learning the techniques to photograph live performances (while enjoying the music of some of my favorite artists), and once my skill level had improved, I worked as a freelance photographer for Soul Magazine, which gave me the necessary credentials to photograph not only concerts, but photo sessions with artists. I continued to move up in music photography (working for almost every record label in LA and New York), photographing album covers, then I switched gears and moved into adverting photography (shooting hair care ads and billboards), then on to fashion photography, which landed me in NYC in 1999. Along the way I learned how to use a few digital cameras, which in the mid to late 90’s were extremely expensive, and only a small handful of photographers used, learning these tools gave me an advantage, which allowed me to open my digital capture shop DigitalTech NYC in New York in 2001. Being an early adapter to digital, I was around all the pioneers of digital, including digital printing. I worked closely with a consultant for Epson Printers, and through him, I had access to my first of many large format printers. Moving back to Los Angeles in 2009, I transitioned into film and television, as the same techniques I used in digital still, applied to digital filmmaking. Working in TV allowed me the financial edge I needed to afford the gear associated with printing. It was 2015, that I purchased my 2nd large printer, mainly to print for myself and photographers that knew me. I installed the large printer in the back bedroom of my Culver City apartment. As word got out about my printing, I gain a sizable customer base and by 2019 I had a steady stream of clients, then the pandemic hit. While the pandemic was a devastating part of American history, it did one thing that actually helped my business, it closed all print shops (as well as other business’) in Los Angeles, but because I was a one man operation, running out of my back bedroom, I could still offer my print service, if you came masked and protected. Customers that might not have wanted to try a new printer, had no choice but to try me out, and once they did, they never went back to their former print shops. At this point, I had out grown my apartment, and found a nice little spot in Santa Monica, just 3 miles and less than 10 minutes from home and Thomas Editions was finally a full fledge business.

A bit long winded I know, but tells the story…

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
As a photographer I learned the craft of lighting and composition from so many photographers I assisted. I was mildly successful as a commercial photographer, but I think back, and I believe it was just another craft I wanted to master, but it was not my final destination. I’ve always had a curiosity about technology, and I dove headfirst into computers in the 70’s. I think that early involvement helped pave the way for my early adoption of digital cameras, when others were afraid of the technology at first. My greatest challenges in life have been racial. As a man of color in some circles I was pasted over. That is one of the disappointing parts of the lives of people of color.

 

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I’m a very social person, typically if I have visiting guest, it startes at my home with cocktails, maybe a vodka Mojito, and home made guacamole with chips. Both my wife and I love to cook, and entertain. If it’s the first Friday of the month, we would head to Venice on Abbot Kinney to hit up the food trucks that come from all over. It could be a art opening on West Adams (Band of Vices), or dance at Seventy Seven in Culver City. The bar at Hotel Casa del Mar in Santa Monica has great drinks, and their Caesar salad is one of the best I’ve tasted. So many options in LA, and we jump all in…

 

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I have several that have helped in my success, starting with Chris Robinson, who snuck me backstage at a Chaka Khan and Rufus concert. Vaughn Thomas that hired me as a freelance photographer at CBS Records, Douglas Dubler who helped me refine my print knowledge and skills, my lovely wife Monique Thomas who kicked my home print shop out of our apartment, and force me to get a beautiful retail space, and lastly Donald A. Morgan, ASC, who saw in me a potential talent and skill I had never tried, on-set colorist (VC/shader), and kept me working on multiple TV shows over the past 8 years, that allowed me the financial ability to grow a side business.

 

Website: http://thomaseditions.com

Instagram: thomaseditionsprinting

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Thomaseditionsfineartprinting/

Image Credits
Muhammed Ali – Jeff noble Photography Black panthers – John Simmons, ASC Jack Nicholson – Carlos Serrao Photography Elvis Presley – Henri Dauman Photography Miles Davis – Henri Dauman Photography

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