Conversations with Chip Thomas

Today we’d like to introduce you to Chip Thomas.

Hi Chip, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstories with our readers.
I have been a lifelong photographer since my Dad gave me my first Kodak Brownie Camera. You could say history was made then. I had several different Instamatics and polaroids and finally got my first 35 mm single-lens reflex camera when I was 16. I kept that camera till I was twenty and then moved up to the next level of SLR and eventually moved to digital cameras when I was in my thirties. You could say, I have an eye for cameras and what they can do for us.

Needless to say, I’ve been taking photos ever since. But in 2019 I wanted to learn more about HOW to take photos and work with the editing software that is out there. That was a summer online class at the local college and it was life-changing. After that class, signed up to take more detailed online classes through an acclaimed photographer 2018 MPI International Photographer of the Year Tim Shields. That was in 2020. I have signed up for most of Tim Shield’s classes and with that work, I have seen my photography work evolve into prints that people want to buy for their homes and businesses.

I also had a print accepted into the Denver International Airport “My Colorado Architecture” exhibit back in 2021.

I’ve also received recognition from Masters Photographer International, Gallery 1516 Biennial Exhibit, and one of my photos third place in the Digital Photo 2022 Your Best Shot photo contest.

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
Has it been a smooth road? Oh hell no. While my work is receiving recognition, the selling part is the hardest. The market is saturated with photographers selling their artwork. You have to find a niche and work it out. But most important, as I am learning, is to have patience. For example, recently I had to shut down my website as I was losing money on it. I have an Etsy store up, as that is a low cost…but it has a different vibe, different than your own website.

The photo shoots, editing, and preparing are the easy part for me. It’s selling, marketing, and promoting your hard work and then selling it for the right price that helps you gain a little profit. That is truly the hard part of a business. I have some processes that work and of course, some that don’t. The other part I have learned from all of this is perseverance. While I may not have the success…yet…I know it’s coming.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
To understand what I do, let me explain a little more about myself, I am a fine art nature photographer by training. I have lived most of my life in multiple parts of the state of Colorado. I was born in a small town on the eastern plains of Colorado, grew up in the Denver area, lived in Northern Colorado, over on the western slope of Colorado, in the central mountains, and have traveled all over “Colorful Colorado” to gather my images.

My passion for photography started when I got my very first “Brownie” camera, which I do still have to this day.

While I grew up on film, I adapted to the digital age very quickly. I started off taking photos of family and friends and even ventured into portrait work, but while I tried to be that portrait photographer, I very quickly decided that I just didn’t want to work with people. I’ve always been drawn to the mountains, nature, and wildlife through my travels in the state and country. It was further expanded when my love of hiking and climbing “14ers” grew as I wanted to share these locations with people who may never get to see them.

I have also started venturing into nightscapes or night photography, wildlife, macro (close up), and cityscapes, or city photography. While some of these have been fun and rewarding, it is my nature and large panoramic nature photos that allow me to receive the recognition that I achieved.

While selling my artwork would be totally amazing! It is the awards and recognition that I have received that mean more to me. Here is a list of the recognition I have received:

Awards:

Denver International Airport “My Colorado Architecture” Crystal Mill was Selected as one of 35 photos exhibited in the art display

International Photography Awards 2021
Honorable Mention – Magical River
International Photography Awards 2022
Honorable Mention – Sunset in Western Colorado
Masters Photographers International 2021
Silver Award – Magical River
Bronze Award – Mt Garfield
Bronze Award – Hanging Lake
Gallery 1516 Biennial Exhibit 2022
Finalist – Magical River
Master Photographers International 2022
Silver Award – Peek-a-boo Bells
Silver Award – A Western Colorado Sunset
Bronze Award – Hanging Lake Falls
Bronze Award – The Columbine of Colorado
Bronze Award – Slip Sliding the Bells Away
Bronze Award – Queen City of the Plains Shining
Digital Magazine Photo: Your Best Shot 2022
Third Place – Cloudy Bells

While people bring life to photos, I work to bring life to nature through my lens. What sets me apart, while some photographers want cloudy, stormy days, I want to bring the expanse of colors to my work. I want the early morning or late sunset with the sun to bring out the greens, reds, yellows, oranges, and blues on my “canvas.” But I also find a wealth of colors in the bright mid-day sun. Fall is my favorite as the colors just explode on the camera! I currently have a photo of Maroon Bells in full fall color glory up in my office. It’s a 24 x36 metal print and the colors just jump out at you. I am very proud of that photo and the story behind it.

Not everybody appreciates those bold colors, but I find peace in the brightness of colors across nature.

Networking and finding a mentor can have a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
Find somebody you connect with. You may not end up being “lifelong friends” but you will find somebody who will be honest with you and also has the desire to see you improve. While my “mentor” have not chatted in person, we have had several conversations via his business and class channels. He has recognized my efforts and responded to questions and critiques. I truly value his opinion on my photographic efforts.

Also, when you are out in the field, be open to meeting other photographers. I have found that the professional photographers that I have met are some of the nicest people. When you strike up that conversation because of a shared interest or shared photographic location, you start to talk “shop.” I have learned about new locations, and new methods, and got some tips to be better. But I also enjoyed the nonstop talk and have some good laughs.

Never hesitate to say hi! You never know who you will connect with…

Contact Info:

• Website: www.colorfulcoloradophotography.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/colorfulcoloradophotography/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/colorfulcoloradophotography
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/coloradoartwork
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@chipthomasphotos/about