An interview with @toms_toy_photography

By @beermanphotography

Q: How long have you been a toy photographer? 

A: I have been a toy photographer since May 2019. At first I tried doing some Star Wars photos then progressed into Prehistory-related shots after buying my first Collecta mammoth figure. When I first launched my Instagram account, I did both prehistory and Star Wars shots among other things (gladiators, assassins, etc) but found my true calling with trying to bring life back to extinct animals through photography.

Q: What got you started in toy photography? 

A: I got into toy photography after watching a video on YouTube about @sirdork730 (aka Jared Middleton) and his toy photography. At first I just thought, “Wow thats pretty cool,” then after trying it myself, I had a great time! Once doing toy photos, I was heavily inspired by @prehistoricpat (aka Patrik Röhr) to go down the path of prehistoric shots once I saw how lifelike he could make them.

Q: What is your favorite figure to shoot and why?

A: My favourite figure to shoot (at the moment) would be the Collecta Wooly Mammoth due to the fact that there are so many angles you can take photos of it from without the photos looking too similar and it’s a fantastic model in general.

Q: What is your favorite place to take photos? 

A: My favourite place to do photos would be on my farm, more specifically at my dam. It’s just a great little ecosystem with water and various types of plants, not to mention the water level is constantly changing allowing for a wide array of photo opportunities.

Q: What’s the weirdest thing that has ever happened during a photo shoot?

A: No weird things have really happened to me at a photoshoot (yet) however the scariest thing that happened to me was when I was knee deep in the dam during the drought when the water level was pretty low, and for whatever reason I placed a stick in the dam to test the depth at about where I was standing. The stick stuck in the mud (half submerged), stayed for most of the photoshoot then towards finishing up, the stick “unstuck” from the mud and made a splash in the water. I was already on edge because even though I live very much inland Australia, I have irrational fears that a crocodile lives in the dam or something so when I heard the splash whilst focusing on the photo, I got super startled and in less than a second, darted towards the bank.  I swear I’ve never been more startled in my life and the amount of adrenaline pumping through me from a stick falling over in the water was hilarious. Came away with a nasty graze on my knee I got from practically falling over in the dam onto mud and rocks which made me look like I got attacked.

Q: If you could have any superpower what would it be and why? 

A: If I could have any superpower, it would probably be telekinesis because that would be straight up badass to be like a Jedi and it could even help with toy photos!