Anthony Thornton

Contact Anthony Thornton






Born and raised in New Hampshire, my journey in the arts began with music. While studying jazz drumming in college, I discovered a passion for photography. In 2008, studying abroad in Amsterdam, I found myself opting for street photography over practice sessions. While there, Obama was elected and my fascination with photojournalism began. 
 
A few years later, I moved to Colorado and landed a job as a staff photographer for the Vail Daily. I learned a lot working at the newspaper, including how to visually tell a story no matter what the constraints. The challenge of making images that are not premeditated is what I love most about photojournalism. 
 
In 2014, I moved to San Francisco and joined a long list of freelancers in the area. For a few years, I grappled with having to pose people for photos. To this day, it feels odd telling people what to do with their bodies to make an image more "perfect." The concept of "lifestyle" photos - posed pictures that appear candid - feels especially uncomfortable. 
 
Fortunately, in 2018 I learned about documentary family photography. Today, I provide families with a highly personal, one-of-a-kind view of their lives as they change over time. I do this by leveraging my experience with photojournalism and improvisation, all while seeing and infusing the humor of life into the story. 
 
These days, you can find me photographing on the streets of San Francisco, forest bathing among redwoods, or behind the drums in various projects.
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