THE EXPERIENCE MINI SERIES //
TOM ARMSTRONG
Interview by Sachin Khona // September 2017
Portrait of Tom by Trish Chiasson
Reading time: 5 mins
Continuing with our mini series of interviews with future attendees of #ExperienceARC, next up is Tom Armstrong – a Canadian wedding and portrait photographer.
Tom is a dreamer and adventurer, chill, laid-back, quirky and almost never totally serious. He enjoys the simple things in life, like waking up later than he should, cuddling his 5 cats & spending time with the coolest people ever. We’re excited to hang with Tom at The Experience this October in Vancouver.
We have more mini interviews to come so stay tuned and never miss an interview by signing up to our mailing list below. Thank you Tom for sharing with us.
MEET TOM
CAN YOU TELL US A BIT ABOUT THE STYLE OF PHOTOGRAPHY YOU SHOOT AND WHAT MOTIVATES YOU TO SHOOT IN THIS WAY?
Honestly, it’s hard to say, I’m still at a place where I’m learning and developing every minute and trying to figure that out. What I can say is that I just play around and experiment. My personal creative work stems from being curious. I’m a go-with-the-flow kind of guy and that definitely plays into my photography. I just try new techniques & directions and hope it works out really. I find that I’m drawn to simplicity, subtlety and weirdness, images that invoke a feeling. The big thing these days seems to be shooting what you want to and that art is subjective, I’ve definitely taken that into mind. Like I said, I’m still developing. I think there’s a long road ahead of me but I look forward to discovering more this year. I’d say my wedding/couple photography style is more photojournalistic, energetic and intimate and I’d define my current body of work as just the beginning.
TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOUR CAMERA SET UP FOR WEDDINGS AND/OR PERSONAL WORK?
I shoot with a Canon 5D Mark III and while I have a few different lenses, I pretty much always shoot with my trusty 35mm 1.4L. But I’m always carrying around my 85mm 1.8 which I’m going to force myself to use more often this year. Sometimes I’ll bring out the 200mm if I need the range.
ARE THERE ANY KEY LESSONS FROM 2016 THAT YOU CAN SHARE WITH US?
Short and simple: To be myself, be true to myself and create art that I’m proud of.
I’ve met so many incredible people over the last year that have in one way or another helped shape the way I think, shoot and run my business. This community is just so damn awesome and I’m glad to be a part of it.
CAN YOU SHARE A RECENT IMAGE YOU’RE PARTICULARLY PROUD OF AND TELL US WHY? IS THERE A STORY THAT GOES WITH IT?
I’m always proud of my most recent work, until my next shoot. Right now, I guess a photo I’m proud of is of this awesome couple sitting on a hill in front of a small lake. It was one of the first times I really slowed down and thought about a composition. I looked around for a minute and then knew I wanted to frame them in the lake. I’m just so excited about that whole session to be honest and I can’t wait to share it!
WHICH PHOTOGRAPHERS OUTSIDE OF YOUR STYLE ARE CURRENTLY INSPIRING YOU?
Oh boy, pretty much everybody I follow on Instagram is so talented and inspiring, but I’m going to choose two! First, I’d say Dan Tom.
His images are just so clean and minimal, with a sense of simplicity that I would love to do with my work.
Also, Jonathan Sosa, there’s so much feeling & vulnerability to his photos that draw me in every time.
WE’RE STOKED THAT YOU’RE JOINING US THIS OCTOBER IN VANCOUVER FOR THE SECOND EXPERIENCE. OUR THEME THIS YEAR IS “IDEAS . INSPIRATION . ACTION”
IS THIS YOUR FIRST TIME ATTENDING AND WHAT DO YOU HOPE TO GAIN FROM ATTENDING?
Ya, this is my first time ever! Since I joined the community less than a year ago I’ve heard nothing but great things! I’m excited for everything! I hope to get some business knowledge, a refreshed mind and to see the way other people think/create. I’m sure I’ll learn some things to apply to my business. Also just meeting everyone, hanging out & making friends is always the greatest takeaway from conferences/workshops for me.
THANK YOU, TOM!
You can see more of Tom Armstrong’s work here // Web
And connect on social here // Facebook // Instagram
JOIN US AT THE EXPERIENCE
We’re 90% SOLD OUT for our next photography conference in Vancouver, BC is this October 17-19, 2017.
Join us for an out-of-the box experience with passionate photographers & creatives including food trucks, city adventures, a huge party and more …
Learn more here >> The Experience // ARC
Speakers include:
Jennifer Moher
Jacob Loafman
Zalmy Berkowitz
Fer Juaristi
Shari + Mike
Kristen Marie Parker
Elizabeth Weinberg
Nisha Ravji
Host: Brian Morrow
Interviews by: James Moes
See the Video by Hello Tomorrow >> ARC 2016 Highlights
Photo by Shari + Mike
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