|
“In his art, Thomas has no fear,” wrote Christopher Harrity of Advocate Magazine. “His camera is an open door to the world.”
In other words? Thomas Evans is fearless, and from the moment he was gifted with a camera, he has used his platform to empower others to be the same. His camera was a catalyst for his own personal transformation. The world opened widely for Evans once he learned that he could be far more creative behind the lens than in front of it. His “less-than-usual,” gender-fluid style is a challenge to both his subjects and his patrons, walking the delicate line between play and provocation, masculine and feminine, class and glamour. Simply put, his portfolio is an exposition and celebration of the authentic self.
Beginning with just raw talent and a natural sense of lighting and composition, Evans worked to hone his distinctive style through his study at the International Center for Photography, where he took an interest in photoshop, color correcting and image processing. Photographers Mike Ruiz and Patrick McMullan would serve as great inspiration during his creative development, and later become mentors. He would later work with McMullan at the Mercedes Benz Fashion Week in New York City, becoming a staple photographer for the event during his developing years.
It didn’t take long for print outlets to take notice of Evans’ eye-catching work. His keen ability to identify the photographic needs of publishers and advertisers proved lucrative, and has led to features in Vogue, The Advocate, Dark Beauty Magazine, Go, People, Paper, Next, A&U, and Frock Magazine. Like his spirit, his abilities are multifaceted. His innate artistic vision has helped him build and manage celebrated brands, direct music videos, and cultivate shows using both visual and performance art.
Thomas’s diverse accomplishments have allowed him to represent the scene he cares most about - his own. He has become a critically acclaimed photographer in the vibrant arts and LGBTQ+ community in New York City. He is the photographer of choice for internationally acclaimed drag queens including Alaska, Raven, Bianca De Rio, Aja and Shanglea (to name a few). Evans shot Rodrigo Alves, the human ken doll, for his wildly successful campaign called Femme the Man. The series, aimed at breaking down society’s prescribed labels of masculinity and femininity, quickly caught fire and was featured on prominent German television networks. In order to further it’s impact, Evans led a masterclass for the photography students of Central Connecticut State University, guiding them through a day on set for Femme the Man, and teaching them about the transformative power of photography.
Evans feels a philanthropic responsibility not only to the community of budding photographers, but to the world at large. In his crusade to fight shame, he began work as the Creative Content Manager and Photographer for World Health Clinicians, an organization that promotes HIV Testing and Awareness throughout the United States and Zimbabwe. After aiding nearly 2,000 people from the rural villages of Zimbabwe in being tested and educated about HIV, he became the co-creator of his own multi-media campaign called “HIV Equal,” now called HIV Advocates. Using the nearly 40,000 followers that he has amassed on social media, he aims to rebrand the campaign and de-stigmatize HIV and the individuals effected by it with with a visual art movement.
Evans continues to push himself in his work, and in doing so, pushes others to be their best selves. His business savvy, which has allowed him to be the executive force in all of his artistic endeavors, motivated him to co-create the professional branding platform Profile Panda. The service aims to cultivate client’s professional presence, providing them with a headshot and narrative biographies for specified social media and websites. Thomas’s clients receive treatment tailored to their specific goals, aimed at helping talented people reach their potential.
In his art, Thomas is a pioneer, guiding our divisive world toward the vision of the one in his lens; a world of acceptance, tolerance, love and equality.
|