Meet Thomas Trogdon
Growing up in rural southwest Missouri instilled in me an appreciation for the natural world that has stayed with me throughout my life. Photography became a natural extension of that connection, shaping how I see and experience the world around me. That same appreciation for nature continues to inspire me here in the Fox River Valley of northern Illinois, where I make my home with my wife, Margaret, and our Golden Retrievers.
Capturing moments through the lens gives me a reason to slow down, observe, and appreciate how life unfolds around us. From hummingbirds in my garden and owls in the woods to eagles in flight and the joyful spirit of Golden Retrievers, I’m drawn to the beauty, movement, personality, and quiet details that make every moment unique.
Trogography brings these experiences together in fine art prints, nature books, image galleries, and blog posts, all inspired by a simple idea: sharing wonder.
For a closer look at the principles that guide my photography, I invite you to explore Philosophy & Process.
The Journey
My photographic journey began with a Minolta XE-7 during the film era, when I learned the craft of photography and developed my own black-and-white images. I gravitated toward Kodachrome slide film for its exceptional image quality and longevity. After finishing a roll and sending it off to Kodak for processing, the anticipation of waiting two or three weeks to see what I’d captured was part of the adventure.
I remember photographing beautiful sunsets, quiet country roads, and wildflowers, and wanting others to experience what I’d seen. I eventually bought a slide projector and a portable screen, and whenever someone wanted to see my photographs, I’d happily set everything up, load a carousel with slides, and put on a little show. I enjoyed sharing those moments almost as much as capturing them. Today, my website has become my slide carousel. The technology has changed, but the joy of sharing what I’ve discovered through photography remains the same.
As my career took me into the world of enterprise technology, photography remained an interest, but eventually took a back seat. Years later, our Golden Retrievers rekindled that passion, and a Nikon D70 introduced me to digital photography. An unforgettable encounter with a red fox subsequently inspired me to pursue wildlife photography more seriously. That encounter opened a new chapter in my photographic journey, one filled with wildlife, unexpected discoveries, and countless hours exploring the natural world through my lens.
Drawing with Light
The phrase “Drawing with Light” came into my life in an unexpected way. Following my father’s funeral in 2015, I was catching up with our family’s minister when our conversation turned to photography. Drawing on his knowledge of Greek, he explained that the word photography comes from phōs (light) and graphé (to draw or represent). In essence, drawing with light.
I had never thought of photography in quite those terms, and the phrase stayed with me. It seemed to capture something fundamental about how I approach my work: observing rather than creating scenes, waiting for the right light, and discovering moments that might otherwise go unnoticed.
Over time, Drawing with Light became part of Trogography’s identity, a simple expression of the relationship between light, patience, and the natural world.
Giving Back
My appreciation for the natural world goes beyond photography. Giving back is an important part of Trogography, and a portion of the proceeds from the sale of our work supports conservation and wildlife organizations dedicated to protecting the places and creatures that inspire me.
It’s a simple way to give something back to the natural world that has given me so much.
