Chelsea Dee Thom (b. 1983) is an American documentary and people photographer, and a solo parent to Noemi. Chelsea grew up in small town Nebraska and is currently based in Denver Colorado. She has spent much of her career working abroad. Chelsea’s work has been shown in galleries throughout the U.S., and has been published both in the U.S. and abroad. Chelsea has been shooting people, weddings, and humanitarian projects since opening her business in 2005.

 

Chelsea attended her first photo class in 2002 while studying at the University of Nebraska. After graduating with her BA from Colorado State University she then moved to Santa Barbara, CA to study still photography at Brooks Institute of Photography. 

 

After Brooks Institute, Chelsea moved to NYC to work in the studio of well-known photographer Mark Seliger. After working for Seliger Studios, Chelsea began traveling worldwide working for different humanitarian causes. In 2010 in Kenya, she became involved with the Ubuntu Life Foundation, which she now sits on the board of. In 2012 while working in the NYC offices of the world-renowned VII Photo Agency, she also earned her Masters in Nonprofit Management from Milano The New School, with specializations in Global Policy and Media.

 

For every picture she takes, Chelsea strives to use light to connect her sense of justice to the broader world. Chelsea taught photography to teens while working abroad, and her academically recognized masters thesis ran photo workshops partnering with local NGO’s with the goal of better storytelling within the field. 

 

Chelsea’s desire is to authentically represent the sacred narratives of the individuals she meets along the way. Chelsea’s multifaceted photography background ensures a unique outlook to each shot.  

 

“Throughout the world I have noticed a common light in peoples faces. And I am excited to help share this light”.