Visual storytellers are more essential now than ever. Whether your specialty is photography or videography, the two media overlap in powerful ways. Today’s creative professionals must be skilled in both. With the rise of mirrorless cameras capable of producing stunning stills and video, clients increasingly expect a seamless ability to deliver in both areas. The lines between the two have blurred, bringing exciting opportunities for students to learn how to tell stories across multiple platforms.
Photography and videography are more than technical skills… they are tools for students to interpret and capture the world around them. Each choice—where to go, what to frame, when to press the shutter or start recording shapes a story that is uniquely their own.
Tom Stanford is passionate about guiding the next generation of visual storytellers. He is committed to helping others grow through teaching, mentoring, and coaching. He believes in equipping students with the essential techniques of the craft while inspiring them to pursue a lifetime of mastery. Under his leadership, our instructors are professional photographers and videographers who bring both technical expertise and creative vision to the classroom.
Background & Experience
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Bachelor’s degree in Photography from Texas A&M University–Commerce
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Worked for newspapers, and .coms, in Texas, Louisiana, and Tennessee
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Photography Director at The Tennessean (1996–2008), leading coverage in digital photography
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Visuals Editor at The Tennessean & tennessean.com (2008–2014), leading newsroom videography and multimedia storytelling while managing the visual journalism team
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Coordinated visual coverage of Nashville’s historic 2010 flood, which helped make The Tennessean a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize
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Extensive experience covering major events, including the NFL, NHL, SEC athletics, music festivals, and the 2000 Sydney Olympics
· Learn more about his travel photography interests by clicking here.