The past 15 months I have called Ohio home. As stated I ventured out to visit different photography groups and meet people I kept hearing the same thing over and over, "You need to meet Tom Croce." He has the awards, magazine covers, published a book, selling in art festivals and leads workshops. No wonder why everyone is talking about Tom. I had, in fact, met this Tom Croce. He was the first Ohio photographer to reach out to me. Little did I know that he would become a cornerstone of my Ohio network. I quickly learned he is everything people said about him and much more. He is unpretentious and approachable; two attributes not often found in a photographer with such fan fair. He is kind and patient when working with other photographers and with his workshop participants. And his artistic abilities expand far beyond photography.
Tom finds inspiration in the photographer, Clyde Butcher. "We both started out as architects before opening a photography business" Tom would go on to explain when Clyde moved to the swamps of Florida he went out and looked for the beauty in the gator-filled waters. That motivated Tom to start looking in his backyard and has become passionate about finding the beauty right here in Ohio. "I strive to show in my pictures the beauty and value of life because I believe pictures can matter beyond their expressive ability they have the ability to affect change. I try to make pictures that are not just a record, but an artistic reminder of the reasons we want to conserve, and if my pictures can help in that efforts it gives meaning to the work", remarked Tom when asked about his work. Living what he teaches he volunteers with local conservation groups. Volunteering at the Arc of Appalachia, a non-profit forest and ancient Native American earthworks conservation group. He also leads a special wildflower photography workshop during their annual Wildflower Pilgrimage.This year's workshop is sold out. If you want to do a workshop with Tom, you will need to sign up fast.
Over this last year, Tom and I have spent countless hours talking shop, bouncing ideas off each other, discussing industry trends and who inspires us. Unknowingly this guy played a big part in helping me move through my struggles of transitioning to a new state and culture. Always introducing me to his circle of friends, tossing my name in the hat to do critiques and talks for the local photo clubs. He even lets me crash his workshops, one of my favorite things to do if we happen to be working in the same area. I have jokingly said Tom is my brother from another mother but in the joke lies the truth. He is more than a good friend, more than a colleague in the nature photography industry. He is more like family. I can never thank him enough for his friendship.
Enjoy Tom's image below that he took during his recent trip to Texas. Click on the links below and follow Tom. He is set up for a fantastic year. Don't miss it.
http://www.tomcrocephoto.com/
https://tomcrocephoto.wordpress.com/
https://www.facebook.com/Tom.Croce.Photo/
https://www.instagram.com/tcrocephoto/
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| Photo by Tom Croce |
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