We were lucky to catch up with Josh & Sandra Tomkins recently and have shared our conversation below.
Josh & Sandra , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. One of the toughest things about progressing in a creative career or as an entrepreneur is that there are almost always unexpected problems that come up – problems that you often can’t read about in advance, can’t prepare for, etc. Have you had such and experience and if so, can you tell us the story of one of those unexpected problems you’ve encountered?
After two decades in the photography industry, nothing could have prepared us for the summer of 2021, when the Caldor Fire forced a mandatory evacuation of our Lake Tahoe community. At the time, few believed the fire would reach the basin—but when it did, our lives and business were upended. We were displaced for nearly three weeks, facing not only the emotional toll of uncertainty and fear but also the professional challenges that came with it.
The evacuation occurred during our busiest season, resulting in the cancellation of numerous events and portrait sessions. The financial impact was significant, and like many small businesses, we were deeply affected. However, having solid legal contracts in place and securely backing up our clients’ work in the cloud allowed us to resume operations as soon as we returned home.
We are endlessly grateful to the true heroes of this story—the firefighters and first responders—whose courage and dedication saved our town and community from devastation. Their efforts made it possible for us to rebuild, recover, and continue doing what we love: capturing memories for our clients in Lake Tahoe.
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.
Our photography journey officially began in 2001, but the seeds were planted long before that—right in the heart of San Diego, California. Josh got his start working at a professional photo lab, developing film and connecting with photographers who would unknowingly shape his future. A lifelong skateboarder and action sports enthusiast, he honed his photography skills capturing fast-paced moments on the streets and in the mountains.
As fate would have it, we met at a local skatepark where Sandra was working at the time. What started as a friendship blossomed through shared adventures, long days exploring the city, and snapping photos just for the joy of it.
Everything changed when a friend from the skateboarding community asked us to photograph his wedding. At the time, we weren’t wedding photographers—far from it—and the idea felt a little daunting. But he explained how much he valued the idea of having friends capture his day in a candid, documentary-style way. We took the leap, documented his wedding, and to our surprise, we absolutely loved it. Even more surprising? That one wedding led to 13 more referrals—and just like that, our passion found its purpose.
What truly sets us apart is our collaboration as a husband-and-wife team and the way we approach our craft. With over two decades of experience, we bring both individual strengths and shared vision to every session. We work seamlessly together, and never lose sight of the privilege it is to do what we love—telling real stories through imagery. We don’t chase trends or follow the latest fads. Our editing style is natural, timeless, and true to the moment. We believe that authenticity always outlasts trends, and our work reflects that philosophy.
Being photographers has not only shaped our lives, but it’s also shaped the lives of our children. We’ve shown them that it’s possible to follow your passion, stay true to yourself, and build a meaningful life through creativity. They’ve grown up seeing what it means to do what you love—and make a living as artists who care deeply about their work.
Perhaps the most rewarding part of this journey is the trust we’ve been given. Being welcomed into people’s lives—and sometimes their homes—is a privilege we never take for granted. Seeing our images on our clients’ walls, knowing they’ll be treasured for generations, fills us with gratitude and pride. This work is our legacy, and we’re honored every time we get to tell someone’s story through our lens.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.bluelotusphotography.com
- Instagram: @bluelotusphotography
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BlueLotusPhotography
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/blue-lotus-photography-south-lake-tahoe
Image Credits
©BlueLotusPhotography