Photography is a practice that seems to be undermined by the average iPhone user, but for Sonoma State University student Thomas Lynch, photography is much more than taking a “unique” picture on a camera phone. Lynch, an aspiring photo artist from San Jose is 21 years old and striving for a bachelor’s degree in business marketing with a minor in studio concentration.   

“I want photography to be my career, my life,” said Lynch.

With goals as high as taking pictures for National Geographic to traveling with Bay Area sports teams, Lynch has quite the journey ahead of him.

“I like to shoot almost anything,” said Lynch.

With a background in event photography, Lynch has been able shoot a vast amount of subjects ranging from intimate weddings to high-energy concerts. Tiffanie Esposito is an event photographer that Lynch has worked with in the recent past.

“I was so happy with the pictures that Thomas took,” said Esposito. “He made that day so special for me.”

Lynch took candid pictures of Esposito and her new fiance a few months ago.

“I would gladly work with Thomas again,” said Esposito.    

Through portraits, Lynch  builds imaginative narrative stories that could easily be seen in any magazine advertisement.

“My favorite is a portrait, that’s where I get to be the most creative,” said Lynch.

“Since Thomas and I became friends in middle school I always knew he viewed the world differently than I did,” said Luke Ferguson.

Ferguson is a senior business major at Sonoma State, and has been friends with Lynch since middle school. Ferguson was in Lynch’s first photography class during their senior year of high school.

Lynch liked the philosophy of the course and says he had stumbled upon a natural gift. With a strong urge for adventure, Lynch would go on to “take the picture that would change my life.”
Lynch won 2nd place at the 2012 Congressional Arts Competition, and had the honor of meeting congressman Mike Honda. The winning picture was one that Lynch took standing on top of a rock facing out toward the coast.   

“I get inspiration from everything I see,” Lynch said.

Lynch often times finds inspiration when he asks himself,  “what picture can be taken next?”
His spare time is spent studying the deeper meaning of photography. He enjoys finding different ways that his art can be improved and likes to alter their perspective.

Amir Ghasemian and Lynch were classmates in the photography department at Westmont high school. Soon Ghasemian became a mentor to Lynch.

“He showed me everything he knew when it came to photography,” said Lynch.

From initial Instagram filters, to eventually using a tripod and editing, Ghasemian introduced Lynch to a number of new photography methods.

“If it wasn’t for his help and guidance, I would not know as much as I do or be where I am today,” Lynch said.

Lynch has even recieved encouragement from acclaimed photography businesses such as Geared Nomad, a company that shoots adventurous travel and urban technology.  

“It felt great to getting acknowledgement from them,” said Lynch.

Currently Lynch is doing photography at Sonoma State. This past November Lynch covered Sonoma State volleyball home game and has photographed private events. Lynch’s most recent event was at Sally Tomatoes when Jimmy Tatro and his posse came for a comedy appearance. Lynch was able to take a series of action shots, along with  some standing portraits.

Lynch has many plans for the future.

“Sometimes you just have to take your time on [your plans] so they come out how you envisioned,” said Lynch.