Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Cloee Thomas. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Cloee, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We’d love to hear about when you first realized that you wanted to pursue a creative path professionally.
I realized I wanted to pursue a creative career the moment I graduated high school and enrolled as a photography major. However, I shifted my focus after receiving discouraging advice from some who claimed I would be wasting my potential in a creative field and should instead pursue a degree in S.T.E.M. I switched to a biology major, but after two years, I knew that path wasn’t right for me. I decided to pursue a degree in the History of Art and Visual Culture instead, reasoning that even if I couldn’t make a living creating art, at least I could be immersed in it.
While juggling a full-time job and school, I nearly abandoned photography and lost the spark that once drove me. It wasn’t until I moved to New York City in 2023 and attended a workshop led by a photographer I had known since high school, along with one of her friends who built a successful career from their passion, that my enthusiasm was reignited. They inspired me to see that I could turn photography into a career rather than just a hobby.
After that workshop in October 2023, the creativity that had been blocked for nearly two years began to flow again. Now, I’m focused on becoming a full-time freelance photographer, currently working part-time as I build my clientele.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
I began my photography journey as a hobby in 2014, capturing moments whenever I could between work and school. From the start, I was drawn to conceptual ideas, focusing on creating immersive worlds through staged sets, handmade props, and thoughtful styling of models. While my primary focus is conceptual portrait photography, I also enjoy working in beauty, fashion, and commercial photography.
With over seven years of experience, I specialize in crafting bold, art-driven imagery that resonates with brands. My work is heavily influenced by art history, and I utilize dynamic angles, vibrant colors, and unique compositions to transform narratives into visually captivating stories. What sets me apart is the strong vision I bring to every photoshoot. I constantly generate fresh ideas while collaborating closely with my team and clients to achieve their desired outcomes. The trust I have earned from those I’ve worked with speaks volumes about my commitment to bringing a creative vision to life.
I take great pride in the progress I’ve made, evolving from uncertainty about my skills to a confident belief in my work. This growth is reflected not only in the quality of my photography but also in the expansion of my network since moving to New York City just a year and a half ago. I want potential clients, followers, and fans to know that my passion for photography drives everything I do. I’m dedicated to creating compelling images that tell stories and elevate brands, and I’m excited to continue this journey as I explore new creative horizons.
In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?
In my view society can best support artist, creative, and a creative ecosystem by first and foremost engage and support with what they create. You do not need to have money necessarily to do so and can help by sharing what they make, telling others about their work, or even sending a nice message to the artist. Next would have to be value the artists and creatives. Many people do not fully grasp all that goes into an artist work and do not always want to pay them what they are worth. If each artist were to break down everything that went into creating their work, their background and experience, and their cost of living the price they are charging would not seem outrages.
For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?
For me, the most rewarding aspect of being an artist and creative is witnessing my vision come to life. I have alexithymia, which means I cannot visualize images in my mind, making it a struggle to communicate my ideas. While I have a clear concept of what I want, I often have to rely on alternative methods to convey my vision to those I work with. Many references I find don’t fully capture my ideas; they may only focus on the posing or include just one element of what I envision. Sometimes, I resort to sketching my ideas as best as I can.
When everything finally comes together during and after my photoshoots, and I see that I have transformed my vision into reality, it brings me immense joy.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.cloeethomasphotography.com/
- Instagram: @cloeeleighs_gallery
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cloee-t-20a602110/
Image Credits
All images were taken by me Cloee Thomas