Get to Know the Guy Behind the Lens
Nathan
Thompson
What were you doing before you committed yourself to photography?
I mean, I was just a kid-- I still am I guess. I started taking pictures professionally in high school while I was working in the tech department at a Target. That's actually where I purchased my first camera, a Nikon D3500. I loved that thing, and I gifted it to my younger brother when I upgraded to the Z6. But yeah, I've been doing photography for so long, I don't really know life as anything else.
What's your favorite part about what you do?
Oh man, I don't even know where to start. I think the most standout thing is the chance to meet so many people-- people who trust you to tell their story. Wait, that's my favorite part about what I do, but my favorite part about being a photographer is the rare
moments where you get to be with a client while they're viewing your images. You get see their eyes light up because they are so stoked. I mean, we're a pretty vain bunch-- humans, I mean. But there's something so beautiful about capturing someone in a way that helps them love who they are. That's a beautiful thing, and there aren't a lot of things in this world that encourage us to feel that way about ourselves.
What are your favorite things to do when you're not working?
I love music in all capacities, so I'll play guitar, throw on a vinyl, or make a new playlist. I've also got a huge dog that drags me away from my desk , so I take her on walks to the park or through the mountains. I guess I also spend a lot of time at the library since I'm a bit of a book-nerd.
What should people know about you that isn't on your website?
It might sound obvious, but I want people to know I'm a human being, not just some weird, distant digital personality. I have that blog which helps humanize me, but it is so hard to communicate the wholeness of your person through a screen. Nonverbal communication is so important, and that's why I love images so much-- they open us up by freezing us in time. The funny fallacy about being a photographer is that I don't have that many good photos of myself. Oh, and I want people to know that I really like dogs.