Meet Thomas Wellons of Inland Empire area, Redlands,CA

Today we’d like to introduce you to Thomas Wellons

Hi Thomas, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I was born and raised in San Bernardino, in the heart of the inland empire. The area is a melting pot of culture, just like the rest of southern California. I always found myself drawn to the car and motorcycle culture. I liked every part of it, the wide variety of different styles and types of cars, trucks and bikes. After buying a truck of my own and customizing it, taking it to shows, etc. I started taking pics with my cell phone. People were telling me I had a good eye for it. Eventually I decided to get my 1st big camera and realized I was in over my head, it was very overwhelming. Which for me usually meant that I would give it up because I have a hard time trying to wrap my head around so many different things to learn. However, I realized that I had a real passion for photography. I actually stuck with it even though it was hard to learn at times. I taught myself everything on my own and in my own way, with the help of YouTube, the internet, and some friends I met along the way. I learned that i love taking pictures of everything, not just automotive stuff. I found portrait photography incredibly interesting and fun. Shooting different events has been a highlight of my career. Now, my camera has gotten me access to some of the biggest car and motorcycle shows in southern California. And I have been able to use my camera to capture some incredible moments in so many different cultures, the automotive scene being just the tip of the iceberg. It brings me great joy and satisfaction to be able to capture the beauty in people, places, cultures, cars, trucks, motorcycles. My camera helps me be more outgoing, calms me down, teaches me about different people and their cultures, and helps me focus “pun intended”.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I got really terrible grades throughout high-school, I wasn’t sure if there was a career path out there that would work for me. I am pretty sure I have undiagnosed ADHD, growing up in the 80s and 90s not many of us were diagnosed with it. mechanics and photography have been the only thing i was able to focus on long enough to become good at it.. I still struggle with keeping my mind focused on 1 task and being incredibly introverted, but photography definitely brings me out of my shell and helps me concentrate and focus.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I would say I specialize in automotive photography, car/motorcycle shows, and event photography. Although, I do have a passion for portrait photography, and landscapes. I am still learning new stuff every time I go out to shoot so I enjoy trying all kinds of photography. That being said, I have been shooting for almost 7 years, I have been published in numerous magazines and newspapers, Including some international magazines and have been lucky enough to make the cover a few times. I feel that my style sets me apart from others, I tend to shoot darker more dramatic photos, I would go as far as saying my style falls into the goth/horror genre more than others, maybe a little punk rock influence.

I would say my proudest moments are when I get the message that I will be published. With that feeling being significantly greater with the news of a cover or larger media outlet.

I get a great feeling of pride and satisfaction when I have been able to capture the heart and soul of someone’s culture. Shooting events outside of my own culture has been one of the most fulfilling parts of photography for me.

I absolutely love the feeling I get when someone tells me they really enjoy my work.

We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up?
Some of my favorite memories involved going to the yearly route 66 rendezvous in San bernardino. All the different cars and trucks sucked me into that culture immediately. And being introduced into the motorcycle culture by my uncle at a young age.

I spent some time in Hawaii when I was younger, around my teens, being there really made me want to learn about different cultures when I came back home to southern California

Pricing:

• All of my pricing is custom, based on the clients needs and finances, I believe everyone should have the opportunity to get amazing pictures regardless of their situation. I enjoy helping people when it’s possible.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://exposure2020.photo
• Instagram: @x2020_photo
• Facebook: exposure 20/20 photography
• Twitter: @x2020_photo