A Student’s Point of View: Alumni Interview with Tom Brenner

I am excited to introduce you to the first post featuring a series of Alumni who I will feature in the next month. The first Alumni I will feature is Tom Brenner! Tom is a photojournalism alum who graduated in 2016. I thought it would be interesting to share his story, how he came to pursue a career in photography, and why he came to RIT. I will wrap up the post sharing what he is doing now! 

Tom at White House Press Podium from August 2020

Growing up in New Jersey, Tom was surrounded by photography his whole life. His family immersed him in it, and it always felt right for him to continue that path. His mom went to RIT for photography as well. and graduated in 1986. That’s how he came to know about RIT and why he chose Photojournalism. It was his first choice because he grew up loving history and just learning about what’s happening in the world. Now he works in Washington DC with a team of photographers for a British Company called Reuters News, He joined them in 2017 and documents real events for the world to see.

U.S. President Donald Trump’s tie flaps during a wind gust while boarding Air Force One at Orlando Sanford International Airport in Sanford, Florida, U.S., March 9, 2020. REUTERS/Tom Brenner
The White House is seen reflected inside of a raindrop during a storm in Washington, U.S.,
November 12, 2020. REUTERS/Tom Brenner

I asked Tom a series of questions about his experiences working in the “Real World” with his Team in DC, his advice to students, and any comments he wanted to share for the post.

When Tom is photographing real events, he always wants to “convey truthful imagery and unbiased complex and hard images.” He also shared, “it’s always important to remember it’s not his story he is sharing it’s the person or persons he’s photographing.” Tom’s most recent memorial event he photographed is Campaign Trial with Biden and Trump in Iowa Election in the Primary Campaign Elections.

U.S. Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden is seen taking off his hat, shortly after boarding his campaign plane at the Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport in Romulus, Michigan, U.S., October 16, 2020. REUTERS/Tom Brenner
U.S. President Donald Trump speaks, with a flag behind him, during a campaign rally at Cecil Airport in Jacksonville, Florida, U.S., September 24, 2020. REUTERS/Tom Brenner/File Photo

Photographing recent events during COVID-19 was hard for Tom and all photojournalists who were out trying to tell important stories. Tom shared “it’s strange not functioning like a normal photographer because of the need to follow COVID rules, not seeing emotional glimpses of the people with masks, and on top of watching your mental health among all of those circumstances. It has a draining effect.”

Even though circumstances aren’t ideal that doesn’t stop Tom from being optimistic about the situation. He believes “I still have important stories to tell but we all have good days, bad days and all we have to do is follow the rules and trust the process.”

Tom wanted to share his last personal advice, “Be UNIQUE, be open to anything, if you have no interest at first just give it a chance because you never know.” He says this because he didn’t think he would ever live in Washington DC but when giving the opportunity he gave it a chance and doesn’t regret it!

Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg testifies to the United States Senate inside the Hart Hearing Room on April 10, 2018, on Capitol Hill in Washington.

By Emily SuDock

Emily is a third-year advertising photography student who is also cross-registered in the National Technical Institute for the Deaf. She has been hard of hearing most of her life. Emily was born in China adopted by her loving family. They are a big part of her life. Emily has a Nikon 600 with a 35 mm lens which she loves taking portraits with.

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