Exploring Life & Business with Tom Bradley of Tom Bradley Photography

Today we’d like to introduce you to Tom Bradley

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
My love for photography started in high school and then blossomed in college as yearbook editor. While in college, I began shooting weddings, selling nature and landscape photos, and doing marketing photography for local businesses. For years, however, photography was just a weekend business while I pursued my career in healthcare. As a registered nurse, I worked in the Emergency Department and also the Surgery-Trauma ICU at a large university hospital. I later worked in the field of organ and tissue transplantation where I focused on teaching hospital staff how to offer the option of donation to grieving families. I finished my healthcare career working as an IT consultant helping hospitals customize their electronic medical record. About 8 years ago I retired and that has given me the freedom to again focus on my passion, photography.

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?
While a straight line is always the easiest way to achieve a goal, each of my other positions has helped me become a better photographer. As an example, my work as a critical care RN exposed me to a wide range of people in diverse situations. It significantly improved my communication skills and helped me gain the ability to quickly assess the situation and help people relax under stressful situations. I was able to interact in meaningful ways with families and situations that most people would not normally encounter. It also embedded a sincere drive to help people in all situations.
Then, as a consultant, my organizational skills were further refined and my love for computers and technology became a perfect complement with the creativity of photography.

Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Tom Bradley Photography?
We are a full-service photography studio providing family services such as senior portraits, weddings, pets, and family pictures along with business services such as marketing photos, event photography, videography, and headshots. I love using my creativity to produce unique and captivating photos of individuals and nature, showcasing perspectives not commonly seen. My real passion, however, is providing services to churches, non-profit organizations and individuals who normally wouldn’t have access to a professional photographer. It’s my mission to use my skills to make a positive impact on the lives of others.
As an example, Kansas City has a great addiction recovery center named Healing House (https://www.healinghousekc.org/) that began in 2002. Located in the inner city, Healing House provides housing and a wide variety of services to create safe, sober homes for both men and women. One of the pillars in their program is teaching faith. Each year they have a baptism service which is one of my favorite events to photograph because of the raw emotion. Individuals who had struggled with addiction, many of whom lived on the streets or in terrible conditions, come out of the water knowing they are forgiven and loved by Jesus Christ. Their lives have been radically changed and many have tears in their eyes as they begin the next phase of their lives. I’m honored to capture this important milestone for them. In addition, most of these folks are of very modest means and have never had professional photos of their family so we also provide that service. The hugs they give are worth far more than money!
Another organization where I volunteer my photography services is Miracle of Innocence (MOI) (https://www.miracleofinnocence.org/). MOI was started by Darryl Burton, a man who was wrongly convicted of murder and spent 24 years in one of Missouri’s worst prisons for a crime he didn’t commit. Miracle of Innocence helps exonerate wrongly convicted individuals and supports them during their return to society. My photographs help tell their story and raise funds for their efforts.
I have a very special place in my heart for children and individuals with special needs. One of the organizations I do photography for is the Tim Tebow Foundation. Every year they sponsor the “Night to Shine” event for special needs individuals in over 800 locations around the globe. Our goal is to treat our special needs guests like VIP with hair/make-up services before they walk down the red carpet to a cheering crowd and the flash of paparazzi cameras. It’s so much fun to make these folks feel special and to capture memories of this important night through photos.

How do you define success?
Success is not defined by money but by the lasting impact you make in the lives of others. Photography is about leaving a legacy. My goal is for every click of the camera to capture moments that tell stories, evoke emotions, and inspire action.

Pricing:

• Our goal is to make professional photography within the reach of any individual or business. Please contact us for a detailed quotation.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://bradleyphotog.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tombradleyphotog/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tombradleyphotog