Photographer Tom Sadowski graduated from California State University Northridge in the summer of 1991. After several years of assisting and second shooting, he became studio manager and lead photographer of Ambrosi West Coast, a prestigious advertising studio in Los Angeles, host to a range of clients from Warner Brothers to K-Mart. With the business skills and motivation he ultimately acquired from this experience, Tom was ready to start his own studio.

So, in 1998, Tom and his family moved to Minneapolis, Minnesota, where his tenth floor studio served such national clients as Target, Marshall Fields and Kohl’s. “The city is small in size compared to Los Angeles, but it is not small in creative work,” he says of Minneapolis, “Some of the biggest clients in the nation are based here.”

As much as Tom enjoys Minneapolis, working away from home is a significant part of Tom’s business. “Location is stressful and having a relaxed yet strong work ethic is paramount!” Most location shoots are about a week long, and Tom feels that working in cities such as Los Angeles, Miami, and New York has brought him closer to a strong network of photography freelance crews. “The many years I’ve spent assisting on location developed a confidence level in me that has eased my clients.”

While Tom’s emphasis has always been product photography, he has recently developed a passion for photographing animals and children. “You have to follow your instinct,” Tom says “if your passion is to photograph something you really love, then do that! The work will come later, because clients will pick up on this passion.”

Tom still maintains that his greatest achievement was getting his diploma from CSUN. Reflecting on his education, Tom says, “I made a point to get a B.A., and I’m so happy I did. Photography is a tough business. Clients choose to hire you because of your imagery. As a college graduate, I bring many years of discipline from my schooling to my business, and that maturity shows! CSUN had such a wonderful photography department and great staff. I would never have taken this opportunity lightly!”