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Wild places, wild moments, and the stories they hold

 

An osprey touches down on a tree stump with golden light streaming through its wings a vivid wildlife photo that shows grace and power
Merganser ducklings chase a dragonfly at Huntley Meadows, gliding through green‑tinged water in soft light.
Striking black-and-white portrait of a crow in the rain, feathers glistening in soft light.
Sandhill cranes fly past a full moon in Sterling, Virginia, wings outstretched in golden evening light.
Pittsburgh skyline rises through morning fog as the Duquesne Incline climbs the hillside at sunrise.
First light bursts through Mesa Arch in Canyonlands National Park, casting a warm glow across the desert landscape.
A barred owl rests among soft green leaves while a ghosted reflection hints at quiet movement in this calm woodland moment

 

Hi, I’m Shawn, a nature and wildlife photographer based in Virginia.

 

Portrait of photographer Shawn Thomas, smiling in a leather jacket and cap, standing in front of framed prints.

Awarded Virginia based nature and wildlife photographer with a street photography approach to birds. Perpetually underprepared, slightly disheveled, and making it work with whatever flies by. What I've found is, I'm never really photographing the animal.

I'm photographing light, atmosphere, and moment. The bird's just the punctuation mark. I mostly shoot in local parks and forgotten edges, bringing out the magic in what's already around us, usually while lying in something wet and reconsidering my choices.

More about me

Put me on your coffee table

I've released a host of print books I quite enjoy, from a massive exploration of North American Biomes to a high concept black and white zine. Check them out here and take home some of my work.

Fade to Black
Merganser ducklings chase a dragonfly at Huntley Meadows, gliding through green‑tinged water in soft light.

Download a free wallpaper

Dress up your screen with a little piece of my photography — I’ve got options for standard monitors, ultra‑wides, and iPhones. It’s just a small way of sharing my love of wild places and moments with you, wherever you happen to be.

Wallpapers
Biomes

Follow me on Instagram

 

@understudy77