Tom McMahon – Photographer & Visual Storyteller

I'm Tom, a photographer based in West Lancashire, passionate about creating art through the lens. While I primarily work digitally, my love for film photography and the darkroom continues to shape my aesthetic, grounding my practice in traditional techniques and processes.

 

Photography has always been more than a hobby—it's an obsession. Each shoot is an opportunity to refine my craft and chase the question that drives me: What makes an image truly compelling?

 

My background began in business, finance, and IT, and I spent several years working in retail management. But photography was always there, quietly pulling me in. In 2019, I took a leap of faith and enrolled in an HNC Photography course at West Lancashire College. It was there that I found inspiring mentors and peers who introduced me to the wider world of art and design.

 

Since then, I’ve completed a BA (Hons) in Photography, gaining hands-on experience in studio lighting, darkroom printing, location shooting, and visual storytelling. I’ve also built strong technical skills across Adobe Creative Suite, including Photoshop, Lightroom, InDesign, Premiere Rush, and Premiere Pro.

 

During my studies, I was diagnosed with dyslexia—an experience that not only reshaped how I see myself but also became a driving force in my creative work. My project MindScape explored my personal challenges with learning through visual narrative, and it sparked a deeper interest in how neurodiversity is represented in media.

 

That interest continued through my MA in Visual Journalism and Storytelling, where I focused on raising awareness of dyslexia and other neurodiverse conditions. My final major project, Living with a Neurodivergent, documented how neurodiversity influences personal relationships and everyday life.

 

Now, I’m preparing to begin a PhD exploring the intersection of neurodiversity and visual communication. My goal is to continue creating work that not only tells stories but also challenges perspectives and fosters understanding.

 

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