Today we’d like to introduce you to Tony Tomasino.
Hi Tony, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I’ve always felt incredibly lucky because, from a young age, I knew exactly what I wanted to do: become a filmmaker and photographer. I credit my parents for that spark—they immersed me in movies, whether it was trips to the theater with my mom or watching classics at home with my dad.
That passion propelled me straight into the industry after high school. I hustled on sets across departments like casting, art, and camera, gaining hands-on experience that I loved and that built a well-rounded foundation in production.
While grinding through those early days, I poured energy into personal projects, creating videos and photos for local artists and bands. This side hustle gained traction, opening doors to bigger opportunities and eventually leading to touring as a photographer and videographer. Two of my best friends, Tommy and Dave from Breathe Carolina, took me on tour—and it was game over after that. Through them, I met and collaborated with countless artists, suddenly finding myself on the road full-time with some of the biggest names in music. I started getting emails from artists I idolized, asking me to work with them, and shooting for major record labels—capturing live performances, music videos, and everything in between.
Today, that journey has evolved into creating high-impact video and photo content for top-tier brands, artists, and events worldwide. It’s been an incredibly wild ride that’s led all over the world, but staying true to that initial spark has made all the difference.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I’d say it’s been a great ride, but it hasn’t been a perfectly smooth road—far from it. The bumps keep you humble and sharp.
Early on, the hardest part was the chaos: swapping a predictable schedule for one that simply didn’t exist. One week I’d be up at 4 a.m. for a sunrise shoot; the next, crossing time zones on a red-eye to somewhere far away. It felt like free-falling at first, but I adapted quickly, carving out my own routines amid the flux. Working with incredible people has always been the silver lining.
Then there was rejection—constant, brutal, and sometimes public. I’d pitch dream gigs and get radio silence, or worse, a polite “we went another direction” or “we just don’t think it’s gonna work out on this one.” Early on, every “no” hit like a punch, but instead of folding, I stacked them into a chip on my shoulder. Now when I hear “no,” I just smile and think, Okay, watch this then… Lately the word“No” has turned into rocket fuel for me.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Early on, I gained a lot of attention for the video recaps I’d create of artists’ live performances. I always knew exactly what to capture on set or at a show to build a strong edit, but the magic happened in post—taking what unfolded onstage and amplifying it, making it feel bigger, wilder, more alive. Funny enough, editing is the part I swore I’d never do. Yet today, it’s my strongest skill.
When I first picked up a camera, every mentor told me the era of doing just one thing was over: you can’t just be a shooter anymore—you have to do it all. I embraced that mindset from the start, except for editing, which I avoided like the plague. Ironically, mastering it opened far more doors than shooting ever could, leading me to opportunities well beyond live shows.
Now, I’m obsessed with impact. Every project, I chase visuals that feel high-energy and kinetic—shots that hit hard and stick with the audience long after the lights go down.
So maybe we end on discussing what matters most to you and why?
What matters most to me is impact—the kind that moves people, shifts energy, and leaves a mark.
Why? I’ve lived it. I’ve captured a raw moments—onstage, on set, or halfway around the world—cut it down in the dark, and watched it explode online. Strangers write “I felt that” or “This inspired me to pick up a camera.” That’s the ripple effect I chase. Every red-eye flight, every missed family dinner, every “We’ll think about it”—they all stack into proof that persistence plus craft can turn chaos into something unforgettable.
I’m lucky: my job lets me witness and document incredible things. But the real win isn’t the access—it’s knowing the final piece hits someone hard enough to replay, share, and feel a part of it. That’s my fuel. That’s the win.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.tonytomasino.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tonytomasino/?hl=en
