I'm shawn. I take pictures cause I can't sit still.

Black‑and‑white shot of Shawn Thomas aiming a super‑telephoto lens, ready to capture wildlife through the glass.

chasing light in ordinary places, waiting for the moment when common becomes extraordinary.

Let's connect
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.


I also write about the journey, share what works (and what doesn't), and try to make this whole thing less intimidating for everyone over on my blog.

 

View portfolio

01.

wildlife street photography

I hate tripods, I carry my 10 lbs on my shoulder with pride. I shoot reactively while walking in the woods and seeing what the universe brings me.

02.

Glass First

I pick cameras based on the glass I need for a job, which is the main reason I'm a Nikon shooter.

03.

Shooting buddy

My 10 year old daughter is an avid photographer as well and goes out on shoots with me often.

04.

Easily distracted

I basically take a lot of pictures of birds, then get distracted by pretty skies or shiny stars and photograph that too.

Photography is a family thing.


Some of my best days behind the camera have been spent alongside my wife and 10‑year‑old daughter. They are often my shooting partners, either locally or chasing puffins on a road trip to Maine, as long as it's not a 4am wake up call.


Truth be told, my love for birds started because of my daughter — she has a knack for spotting them long before I do and has memorized the local field guides. For us, photography isn’t just about making images; it’s about sharing moments, learning from each other, and turning adventures into lifelong memories.

Father and daughter photograph birds together in the woods, long lenses pointed skyward in search of the perfect shot.

Follow me on Instagram

 

@Understudy77