Thomas Ruocco
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My Interview With Tom
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Thomas Ruocco
I’ve always believed that everyone you meet has a story. Those stories can touch you, in unexpected ways. Recently, I met this young man who was enthusiastic, and full of passion for a job he was doing. I have not seen that in a very long time.
Face it, most people today find the career they are in as a necessity, not their true passion. A mundane chore that has to be fulfilled. These people arrive late for their appointments and begrudgingly do their job.
However, Tom was quite different. Tom promptly arrived for an appointment to take photos of my house so it could be listed for sale. He was very friendly and cordial, which most people are when you first meet them in business, but it was his mannerisms that instantly intrigued me.
Not knowing what I should do with myself while Tom took the photos, I left him alone so as not to bother him. Exhausted from packing and cleaning, I took a break and sat looking at the house I had called home for 20 years. An unknown future awaited me, and I dreaded the chores ahead of me.
Out of the corner of my eye, I see Tom happily taking pictures. Carefully eyeing up the next shot, like he was actually enjoying his job! You could feel an energy coming from him, one I desperately needed to re-charge myself.
Not being able to stay away, I maneuvered my way out of the shots and was able to learn more about this young man who seemed so happy doing his job. There was a story there and one I wish to share with you now.
Tammy - Ok Tom, let’s start off the interview like our conversation when we first met. Of course, I asked the typical first question people usually ask:
How long have you been taking photos?
Tom - I’ve always had access to a camera, whether it be a basic point-and-shoot disposable camera or just my cell phone. It wasn’t until roughly a year ago that I really started to understand and dig into the basics of photography and take the steps to become a true photographer. I spent most of my free time in quarantine, learning the basics of my camera and how to edit pictures. Photography quickly became the perfect outlet for me to be able to create something unique and share it with the world.
Tammy - It is so nice having a camera with us at all times because of our phones! I can remember frantically buying throw away cameras in a pinch, only to have to wait and find out only half turned out - if I was lucky!
Was this a career you had always wanted to pursue?
Tom - Not at all! It’s funny. Actually, it was never meant to be a career. It began as a hobby while in quarantine to pass the time. It wasn’t uncommon that I would have to isolate for days at a time due to the line of work I was in and how often I was exposed to Covid. I was looking for creative ways to keep my mind occupied while in isolation. I initially tried to get into surfing, buying a 9-foot surfboard and all, just to find out how incredibly hard surfing is! I ended up selling my surfing gear online to purchase my first professional camera in the hopes that I would thrive with this new hobby.
Tammy - The downtime for Covid was such a challenging time for us all. It certainly was the perfect time to look for a new hobby or at least try different ones out. I have to admit; I came to appreciate how easily one can make knitting look… lol - it was so not for me!
What did you do before Covid?
Tom - Before Covid, I worked in emergency medical services. I received my EMT license when I was 18 years old and began both volunteering and working shortly after graduating from high school. I did not go to college right away like my friends did, so working on the ambulance became my whole life. It wasn’t uncommon that I’d be working 12-hour shifts multiple nights a week. It was very taxing work, and it wore me out very fast.
My plan was to find a career in that field, but after a few years of the same routine, I was burnt out and needed something different, something that I could create and manage myself. I did not have the passion to continue working in that field, and when somebody’s life is in your hands, one mistake is all it takes.
I craved that feeling of gratification after a long day of work, and photography was just that! It gave me something to look forward to, and an opportunity to go out and see the world and capture it through my lens. Once I had a steady flow of clients booking photoshoots with me and I began to get paid for my work, it felt like a weight was lifted from my shoulders. The best feeling was when I realized that people wanted to pay me for my work, something that I created and just wanted to share with the world.
Tammy - I can’t imagine how hard that must have been on you! Just like in any career, there will be ones who thrive in a position that may not be the fit for us. I think that perhaps a lot of people re-evaluated their careers during that time and, if anything; it gave us a chance to re-set our paths.
Did you take any courses? Or were you so passionate about it, you researched it yourself? Or both?
Tom - It wasn’t until recently that I went to receive my college education for business administration. After leaving my job as an EMT, I was a bit lost in terms of which field I wanted to work in and ended up serving food at a breakfast restaurant. At that time, I knew I wanted to be a content creator, but I wasn’t quite sure how to achieve it. I didn’t know who to get advice from, so my main source of information was through YouTube.
There is such an abundance of free information all over the internet, and it has played a vital role in the success I’ve had as a photographer. Social media is a very important tool to learn new and challenging things because it’s free and easily accessible. When trying to create something unique for the first time, you cannot be afraid to make mistakes. Some of my best photos were taken by accident and that is the best part. You never know which shot will be the “money shot” until it happens.
Life is all about trial and error, and if you do not place yourself in uncomfortable situations, you will never grow as a person.
Tammy - I always feel like when we are at our most “lost” is when we push ourselves to find what fits best! Even during those times, we feel lost, is a time we can use later to appreciate where we came from, and what we’ve succeeded.
What kind of equipment do you like to use?
Tom - My main bag that I bring everywhere I go usually consists of a Sony a6400, a Sony A7IV, a wide-angle lens, a portrait lens, a zoom lens, and a few lighting and audio tools. When I take pictures for real estate listings, I use a sturdy tripod, a wide-angle lens, and a leveler to make sure my camera is lined up correctly. I have experimented with different filters and props to achieve different looks, but I try to be as authentic and as true to the eye as possible when photographing anything.
Tammy - It is fun to play with filters and props, but I truly do love the random pictures in raw form. It’s a lot like writing. Sometimes truth is stranger than fiction. Same for a picture. Sometimes the beauty lies within the rawness of it.
Is there a time of day you prefer?
Tom - That is a tough question to answer! Different styles of photography may require different types of lighting. In terms of natural sunlight, I love to shoot at what we photographers call “golden hour”. This takes place just before the sun goes down and a little bit after. This gives the photo a soft and warm look, the best for portraits.
High noon is typically when you want to avoid taking photos, as the direct light from the sun can be harsh and cause colors to bleed and results in photos that look flat. Shooting at night can also yield some amazing shots because the absence of natural light can give you full control of what you may want the subject of focus to be.
Once you can figure out which lighting situations better suit your needs, the creativity is endless!
Tammy - Thank you, that was very insightful and informative! I’ve always wondered the reasoning behind some of the photographer’s secrets.
May I ask, when do you like using black and white vs. color?
Tom - I like to use the black and white style when the subject of my photo is more pattern or shape based. When photos are in black and white, it eliminates the distraction of seeing too many colors at once, which may alter the emotion a photographer is trying to portray. In the style that I shoot in, you will mostly see photos that are in color unless I’m going for a specific feeling that I want the viewer of the photo to feel.
Tammy - I really like black and white for some things but never understood why not so much for others. Now this gives me a little more perspective.
What kind of subjects do you like to use?
Tom - I found my niche in automotive photography. Not long after getting my first camera, I stumbled upon a local car show and experimented with cars as subjects. I instantly fell in love with the results. I posted these photos on my Instagram page and received awesome feedback and lots of car enthusiasts wanting to book photo sessions with me. I do not know a single thing about cars, but the people I have met in the car scene were incredibly welcoming and showed me which angles looked the best.
When not taking pictures of cars, I love to travel for the sole purpose of capturing a single great photo. Out of a thousand photos, there is always one that sticks out to me the most. I recently took a trip to New York City to capture some street photography for my social media pages and left with well over 1500 photos from that afternoon. There was one in particular that stuck out to me, and it was one of the last shots I took that day. Walking back to catch the train, I saw a homeless man in a wheelchair making his way towards me on a busy sidewalk. The conditions were perfect for me to snap a quick photo, so I had to take the shot. There was no dialogue between the man and me, but the look in his eyes said it all. I captured the shot and was on my way. The whole interaction took about 10 seconds.
I didn’t realize how great the shot came out until I had looked at it the next day, and upon doing so, I wish I had spoken to the man to hear his story. A picture is worth a thousand words, and I am grateful that I got to capture part of his story.
Tammy - When you gave me the pictures to use in our article, I instantly gravitated to that picture! To me, it definitely told a story without words. It plays with our emotions, reaches out to our hearts. I see so many around me with stories of their own, and so many times I wished I had reached out to hear them. Unfortunately, our own lives crowd in and take over with its story demanding to be told. However, you did capture the moment and were able to share his story that has so many layers to it and that is a treasure!
Do you have any new projects coming up that you are excited about?
Tom - Yes! I am doing photo gig as we speak! I am currently in Dubuque, Iowa, working as one of the social media managers for the Colts Drum and Bugle Corps. My job as a photographer at the Colts is to capture and tell the story of this group of musicians as they travel and perform for tens of thousands of people throughout the United States.
This will be my 4th year with the Colts, but my first year on staff as a photographer. Being able to tell the story of this incredible group of kids is inspiring, and I’m looking forward to spending a few weeks on tour with them and sharing it with the world!
Tammy - That is very exciting, good for you! Perhaps later, we can do another interview and see where this new adventure takes you? I can only imagine the opportunities of new places to see and people to meet this will bring you. I look forward to reading their stories in your photos!
In life, there is always someone behind the scenes who encourages us. Who in your life does that for you?
Tom - Of course! I would not have gotten this far without the encouragement and support of my family and my girlfriend, Sam. Without them, I would not have the confidence to pursue my dreams. They truly inspire me, and I’m so lucky to have such amazing people in my life who push me to be a better human being every single day.
I would also like to thank my friends Frank and Nick, who provided me with an extraordinary opportunity in real estate photography and have encouraged me to be the best of the best in this business!
Tammy - Do you have a website where you display your work? And where can our readers find you on social media?
Tom - You can find me on Instagram! I go by @romsworld - all of my content gets posted there, and it acts as my portfolio. You can also check out my Facebook page, Tom Ruocco Media.
There you have it, a glimpse of this amazingly talented young man and his inspiring work! In life, we will have encounters with all types of people, with unique stories of their own that may help you with your own story.
Moments before I met Tom, I was overwhelmed with the next chapter in my life. But after talking to Tom, I realized I needed to continue on my quest for a new change with the enthusiasm he has for his. The passion and desire, a fire that can bring the joy back!
It doesn’t matter what phase of life you are in. Whether you are just starting out or you are beginning to wind down, life need not be about necessity or complacency, but of wonderment and fulfillment!
Tom is already ahead of the game by capturing his fire. I see that fire, like so many others will, bringing him a bright beautiful future! Good luck to you Tom!
Face it, most people today find the career they are in as a necessity, not their true passion. A mundane chore that has to be fulfilled. These people arrive late for their appointments and begrudgingly do their job.
However, Tom was quite different. Tom promptly arrived for an appointment to take photos of my house so it could be listed for sale. He was very friendly and cordial, which most people are when you first meet them in business, but it was his mannerisms that instantly intrigued me.
Not knowing what I should do with myself while Tom took the photos, I left him alone so as not to bother him. Exhausted from packing and cleaning, I took a break and sat looking at the house I had called home for 20 years. An unknown future awaited me, and I dreaded the chores ahead of me.
Out of the corner of my eye, I see Tom happily taking pictures. Carefully eyeing up the next shot, like he was actually enjoying his job! You could feel an energy coming from him, one I desperately needed to re-charge myself.
Not being able to stay away, I maneuvered my way out of the shots and was able to learn more about this young man who seemed so happy doing his job. There was a story there and one I wish to share with you now.
Tammy - Ok Tom, let’s start off the interview like our conversation when we first met. Of course, I asked the typical first question people usually ask:
How long have you been taking photos?
Tom - I’ve always had access to a camera, whether it be a basic point-and-shoot disposable camera or just my cell phone. It wasn’t until roughly a year ago that I really started to understand and dig into the basics of photography and take the steps to become a true photographer. I spent most of my free time in quarantine, learning the basics of my camera and how to edit pictures. Photography quickly became the perfect outlet for me to be able to create something unique and share it with the world.
Tammy - It is so nice having a camera with us at all times because of our phones! I can remember frantically buying throw away cameras in a pinch, only to have to wait and find out only half turned out - if I was lucky!
Was this a career you had always wanted to pursue?
Tom - Not at all! It’s funny. Actually, it was never meant to be a career. It began as a hobby while in quarantine to pass the time. It wasn’t uncommon that I would have to isolate for days at a time due to the line of work I was in and how often I was exposed to Covid. I was looking for creative ways to keep my mind occupied while in isolation. I initially tried to get into surfing, buying a 9-foot surfboard and all, just to find out how incredibly hard surfing is! I ended up selling my surfing gear online to purchase my first professional camera in the hopes that I would thrive with this new hobby.
Tammy - The downtime for Covid was such a challenging time for us all. It certainly was the perfect time to look for a new hobby or at least try different ones out. I have to admit; I came to appreciate how easily one can make knitting look… lol - it was so not for me!
What did you do before Covid?
Tom - Before Covid, I worked in emergency medical services. I received my EMT license when I was 18 years old and began both volunteering and working shortly after graduating from high school. I did not go to college right away like my friends did, so working on the ambulance became my whole life. It wasn’t uncommon that I’d be working 12-hour shifts multiple nights a week. It was very taxing work, and it wore me out very fast.
My plan was to find a career in that field, but after a few years of the same routine, I was burnt out and needed something different, something that I could create and manage myself. I did not have the passion to continue working in that field, and when somebody’s life is in your hands, one mistake is all it takes.
I craved that feeling of gratification after a long day of work, and photography was just that! It gave me something to look forward to, and an opportunity to go out and see the world and capture it through my lens. Once I had a steady flow of clients booking photoshoots with me and I began to get paid for my work, it felt like a weight was lifted from my shoulders. The best feeling was when I realized that people wanted to pay me for my work, something that I created and just wanted to share with the world.
Tammy - I can’t imagine how hard that must have been on you! Just like in any career, there will be ones who thrive in a position that may not be the fit for us. I think that perhaps a lot of people re-evaluated their careers during that time and, if anything; it gave us a chance to re-set our paths.
Did you take any courses? Or were you so passionate about it, you researched it yourself? Or both?
Tom - It wasn’t until recently that I went to receive my college education for business administration. After leaving my job as an EMT, I was a bit lost in terms of which field I wanted to work in and ended up serving food at a breakfast restaurant. At that time, I knew I wanted to be a content creator, but I wasn’t quite sure how to achieve it. I didn’t know who to get advice from, so my main source of information was through YouTube.
There is such an abundance of free information all over the internet, and it has played a vital role in the success I’ve had as a photographer. Social media is a very important tool to learn new and challenging things because it’s free and easily accessible. When trying to create something unique for the first time, you cannot be afraid to make mistakes. Some of my best photos were taken by accident and that is the best part. You never know which shot will be the “money shot” until it happens.
Life is all about trial and error, and if you do not place yourself in uncomfortable situations, you will never grow as a person.
Tammy - I always feel like when we are at our most “lost” is when we push ourselves to find what fits best! Even during those times, we feel lost, is a time we can use later to appreciate where we came from, and what we’ve succeeded.
What kind of equipment do you like to use?
Tom - My main bag that I bring everywhere I go usually consists of a Sony a6400, a Sony A7IV, a wide-angle lens, a portrait lens, a zoom lens, and a few lighting and audio tools. When I take pictures for real estate listings, I use a sturdy tripod, a wide-angle lens, and a leveler to make sure my camera is lined up correctly. I have experimented with different filters and props to achieve different looks, but I try to be as authentic and as true to the eye as possible when photographing anything.
Tammy - It is fun to play with filters and props, but I truly do love the random pictures in raw form. It’s a lot like writing. Sometimes truth is stranger than fiction. Same for a picture. Sometimes the beauty lies within the rawness of it.
Is there a time of day you prefer?
Tom - That is a tough question to answer! Different styles of photography may require different types of lighting. In terms of natural sunlight, I love to shoot at what we photographers call “golden hour”. This takes place just before the sun goes down and a little bit after. This gives the photo a soft and warm look, the best for portraits.
High noon is typically when you want to avoid taking photos, as the direct light from the sun can be harsh and cause colors to bleed and results in photos that look flat. Shooting at night can also yield some amazing shots because the absence of natural light can give you full control of what you may want the subject of focus to be.
Once you can figure out which lighting situations better suit your needs, the creativity is endless!
Tammy - Thank you, that was very insightful and informative! I’ve always wondered the reasoning behind some of the photographer’s secrets.
May I ask, when do you like using black and white vs. color?
Tom - I like to use the black and white style when the subject of my photo is more pattern or shape based. When photos are in black and white, it eliminates the distraction of seeing too many colors at once, which may alter the emotion a photographer is trying to portray. In the style that I shoot in, you will mostly see photos that are in color unless I’m going for a specific feeling that I want the viewer of the photo to feel.
Tammy - I really like black and white for some things but never understood why not so much for others. Now this gives me a little more perspective.
What kind of subjects do you like to use?
Tom - I found my niche in automotive photography. Not long after getting my first camera, I stumbled upon a local car show and experimented with cars as subjects. I instantly fell in love with the results. I posted these photos on my Instagram page and received awesome feedback and lots of car enthusiasts wanting to book photo sessions with me. I do not know a single thing about cars, but the people I have met in the car scene were incredibly welcoming and showed me which angles looked the best.
When not taking pictures of cars, I love to travel for the sole purpose of capturing a single great photo. Out of a thousand photos, there is always one that sticks out to me the most. I recently took a trip to New York City to capture some street photography for my social media pages and left with well over 1500 photos from that afternoon. There was one in particular that stuck out to me, and it was one of the last shots I took that day. Walking back to catch the train, I saw a homeless man in a wheelchair making his way towards me on a busy sidewalk. The conditions were perfect for me to snap a quick photo, so I had to take the shot. There was no dialogue between the man and me, but the look in his eyes said it all. I captured the shot and was on my way. The whole interaction took about 10 seconds.
I didn’t realize how great the shot came out until I had looked at it the next day, and upon doing so, I wish I had spoken to the man to hear his story. A picture is worth a thousand words, and I am grateful that I got to capture part of his story.
Tammy - When you gave me the pictures to use in our article, I instantly gravitated to that picture! To me, it definitely told a story without words. It plays with our emotions, reaches out to our hearts. I see so many around me with stories of their own, and so many times I wished I had reached out to hear them. Unfortunately, our own lives crowd in and take over with its story demanding to be told. However, you did capture the moment and were able to share his story that has so many layers to it and that is a treasure!
Do you have any new projects coming up that you are excited about?
Tom - Yes! I am doing photo gig as we speak! I am currently in Dubuque, Iowa, working as one of the social media managers for the Colts Drum and Bugle Corps. My job as a photographer at the Colts is to capture and tell the story of this group of musicians as they travel and perform for tens of thousands of people throughout the United States.
This will be my 4th year with the Colts, but my first year on staff as a photographer. Being able to tell the story of this incredible group of kids is inspiring, and I’m looking forward to spending a few weeks on tour with them and sharing it with the world!
Tammy - That is very exciting, good for you! Perhaps later, we can do another interview and see where this new adventure takes you? I can only imagine the opportunities of new places to see and people to meet this will bring you. I look forward to reading their stories in your photos!
In life, there is always someone behind the scenes who encourages us. Who in your life does that for you?
Tom - Of course! I would not have gotten this far without the encouragement and support of my family and my girlfriend, Sam. Without them, I would not have the confidence to pursue my dreams. They truly inspire me, and I’m so lucky to have such amazing people in my life who push me to be a better human being every single day.
I would also like to thank my friends Frank and Nick, who provided me with an extraordinary opportunity in real estate photography and have encouraged me to be the best of the best in this business!
Tammy - Do you have a website where you display your work? And where can our readers find you on social media?
Tom - You can find me on Instagram! I go by @romsworld - all of my content gets posted there, and it acts as my portfolio. You can also check out my Facebook page, Tom Ruocco Media.
There you have it, a glimpse of this amazingly talented young man and his inspiring work! In life, we will have encounters with all types of people, with unique stories of their own that may help you with your own story.
Moments before I met Tom, I was overwhelmed with the next chapter in my life. But after talking to Tom, I realized I needed to continue on my quest for a new change with the enthusiasm he has for his. The passion and desire, a fire that can bring the joy back!
It doesn’t matter what phase of life you are in. Whether you are just starting out or you are beginning to wind down, life need not be about necessity or complacency, but of wonderment and fulfillment!
Tom is already ahead of the game by capturing his fire. I see that fire, like so many others will, bringing him a bright beautiful future! Good luck to you Tom!
