Meet Thomas Bradley | News Photographer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Thomas Bradley and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Thomas, why did you pursue a creative career?
It all started when I was a young teenager. I have always loved television and photography. Whenever my parents take us on a trip to the local electronic store such as Circuit City the first I would immediately run to the video camera/photo department and play with the devices. My curiosity as a kid and love for photojournalism made me choose a creative career in television. I got my big break in local news in Columbus GA an hour and a half from my hometown of Atlanta. My news photographer started there. My career sent me to several cities and states even back home in Atlanta and they all have a different story to tell. When you go out and tell the world’s story through the lens of my camera it must be seen and heard. I get joy seeing each of my stories get told through the television screens across the communities because everyone got a story and it needs to be told. I’ve been a news photojournalist for over 15 years and recently moved to the Dallas-Fort Worth area to continue my career and can’t wait to tell the lone star state’s story through the lens of my camera.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I’m a news photographer that covers news locally in the community or travel when needed. Each day is different I can be covering breaking news at a house fire or covering a city council meeting. What sets me apart from other photographers is that I can talk to people and get the information I need on camera for a newscast and I have I “eye” for interesting video elements needed for a story. The most I’m proud about is getting to cover news stories up in a news helicopter. It was fun going up there over my hometown and getting another perspective of the city when covering breaking news. I got in my career by meeting my mentor Phil Proctor. Phil introduced me to so many people in the industry. I kept those contacts and when I got out of college I contacted them for employment. Getting into the news industry is difficult to get into if you don’t network. My advice uses social media as a way to contact reporters, news anchors, and others because some of them are willing to help you out. The lesson I’ve learned is to make sure you tell a great story when you’re presenting to the public and make it truthful. You never want to compromise your creditablity.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Ok, I have two spots in the Dallas-Fort Worth Texas ok 4. I’m a runner so I love the run or bike the Trinity Trail. The trail runs I think 24 miles. It has a river that flows in between with shops, places to eat and you may see some cows along the way. The second is the Fort Worth Stockyards. The stockyards remind me of an old western movie- it has that feel to it. I like to eat at Riscky’s BAR-B-Q there because I love BBQ so glad I moved here. The third is the Reunion Tower in downtown Dallas I think it’s the tallest structure in the DFW area. When you get to the top of the tower you get a breathtaking view of DFW. The fourth is the bridge heading into the city of Dallas it’s the best place to get video and pics of the skyline of the city.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would like to thank my lord and savior Jesus because without him nothing is possible. My mom Belinda Bradley she’s been such a big support in my career and has been praying for me each step of the way.
Without my father in the television industry Phil Proctor, I truly doubt that I would ever be in this career. I owe him so much for introducing me to so many people to network with. Phil has been such a big mentor for me.
One of my best managers to work for Rosser Shymanski. Rosser was the very first person to pay me my first paycheck on TV. Whenever I needed work he would find something for me.
My former colleague TV anchor Mark Spain was a big help in giving me tips and guidance to tell great stories through the lens of my camera.
Michelle McQueen my girlfriend one of the reasons I moved to Texas. I really thank her for all of her prayers, support, and love for me. I can’t wait to see what God has in store for us in the future.
My new church home, Greater Love Chapel Church Of God In Christ.

Website: www.thomasdbradleytvpro.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thomasdbradley/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomasdbradley/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ThomasDBradley

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ThomasDavidBradley/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/ThomasDBradley

Image Credits
WWE