Seth Thompson photo blog

My name is Seth Thompson, and I'm an advertising and editorial photographer based in Grand Rapids, MI. Though I'm Chicago so often I really should get an apartment there. I travel enough on assignment that the SkyCaps recognize me getting off the airport shuttle, and know they're about to get flagged down. My four-year-old thinks every plane that flies over our house is her daddy's. That seems cool, so I don't correct her. I will accept any challenge. Seriously, "in over my head" is my preferred state. I've been known to write a song or two: click here to listen on iTunes As a musician with a camera, filmmaking was an obvious next step. I love it. When I look back at the end of this year, I predict there will be as much video work in my portfolio as still photography. Actors, dancers, writers, performance artists, musicians and burlesquers who put everything they have into their work: these are my friends. I don't know any regular people, though I've heard they exist.

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This remains my favorite image from my entire time shooting with Cancer Treatment Centers of America. Kimalea, like most of the cancer survivors I met over the years, has an enthusiasm for life that I think you only get when you're faced with the possibility of your life being taken away. And Kimalea in particular had an energy that made it difficult for @seanvidbox and I (though much younger than her) to keep up with her. And right after we shot this, a pack of coyotes tried to lure her dog into a trap by pretending to play with the dog. Life is fascinating. . . . #cancer #cancersurvivor #cancersucks #lustforlife #onlocation #telluride #elinchrom #elinchromquadra #nikon #mountainlife #rockymountains #colorado (at Telluride, Colorado)

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Two of my favorite people can't even get through getting engaged without illustrating why they're two of my favorite people. @agitateslowly @fart__princess

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From my shoot with Jim Shaneberger Band. My favorite way to light people is to ask "hey what's the stupidest/most wrong way to do this?" And then do that. #musicphotographer #musicphotography #uplighting (at Green Frog Photo)

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Last minute Google Streetview costume #halloween #alwaysshooting (at Grand Rapids, Michigan)

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Documenting the aging process one stand-in at a time #setlife #standin #lighttest (at Green Frog Photo)

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Light test #2 with @erinthomaswilson and @joshtyron (at Wealthy Theatre)

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Light test #instudio (at Green Frog Photo)

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The one photo I managed to get on our way back in from shooting video in kinda high seas on Lake Michigan (high seas are fine. Trying to stand up, stare into a monitor, and keep your framing in high seas is not fine). Even when it literally makes me about to vomit, I love what I do for a living. #professionalphotographer #onlocation #setlife (at Muskegon Harbor)

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I learned today that if you drop your camera onto cement from six feet, sometimes you're fine. And when you do it a second time your favorite lens becomes your new favorite paper weight. RIP 24-70mm #setlife #onlocation #bts #professionalphotographer

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To survive pre-pro meetings, one must hydrate. With gin. Duh. #preproduction #productionlife #bts #professionalphotographer (at IRON)

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When you pick up kids from grandparents', and you also come away with two bins like this, it is a good day #skulls #stilllife #morbiddad (at Mannequin Head Manor)

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Dell M6600 that now walks around thinking it's an iMac (and WAAAY faster than my MacBook Pro). I have gone down the Hackintosh rabbit hole thanks to @agitateslowly (at Mannequin Head Manor)

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Teaser from day 2 of of killer weekend of shooting with @therightnow. This is a special group of people: it is a rare thing indeed to know musicians that are at this tier of talent and passion, while at the same time being the kindest humans I've ever known. (at Epiglotic Photographic)

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Teaser from last night's shoot with @therightnow. 30 degrees and Stef held her own in a wife beater (at Epiglotic Photographic)

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#Repost @therightnow with @repostapp. ・・・ We're very excited to head to Grand Rapids this weekend. We'll be performing at @foundersbrewing and also doing a photo shoot for the next record with @sethrt. Seth has captured magic twice for us--this photo is from the shoot for our 2010 release Carry Me Home. Stunning! (at Founders Taproom)

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Work in progress. Session 2 (at Mannequin Head Manor)

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Slow photo day, so decided to go old school and make something with my hands. In progress (at Mannequin Head Manor)