How do you compile a decade’s worth of images and stories into a single blog post? If you ever figure it out, please let me know. In the meantime, this a best attempt at highlighting some of the ongoing clients, fun jobs and unique ingredients that have compiled the last 10 years of Novo Studio.

Enjoy.

As I was driving through a town recently, I was struck by this building with no roof. I promptly stopped and parked. As I walked around the premises quietly surveying the remains, I realized that what it lacked in functionality it more than made up for in personality and character. As best I can tell, it was an old automotive store/shop. I'm not sure what happened to the roof, or portions of the actual building. But I can tell you that I felt right at home there. 

For years, I've had the idea in my head to make a video for Novo Studio. The idea for the video was inspired by a voicemail message I created years ago that, in my mind, accurately describes why I would not be answering my phone. And to have a video that started from the voicemail message and then, journeyed into my life as a photographer and as a person seemed to make sense. Plus, I could put some music to it and avoid the awkward challenge of talking about myself and my business. 

But of course, life happened and with an incredibly busy season and twins, my idea remained an idea until I decided to take a creative sabbatical. When writing out my sabbatical bucket list, the creation of this video went right to the top and with the help of my dear friends and creative colleagues and my wife, I am happy to (FINALLY) share this video with you. Many thanks to Bryan Fittin, Jason Miller, Murray Williams and Kristen Thomas for making this whole thing possible. Enjoy. 

#throwbackthursday to many, many years ago when, during engagement photos, I decided to test the nautical and overland capabilities of the Novomobile. The resulting test ended up as a video which I am sharing today on the blog. Enjoy.  

About the only time I don't mind getting up at 4am is if I'm heading into the great outdoors. Such was the case recently when myself and a few local rock climbers headed out to Horseshoe Canyon Ranch for some rock climbing and some photography for Arkansas Wild Magazine. Here's a few images from the day. Enjoy. 

After incredibly busy Spring, Summer and Fall seasons of work and life, I am starting 2017 by taking a self-imposed "Creative Sabbatical." This simply means that for the first 2 months of the year, I will be accepting work on a limited basis with the intention of using the rest of my time to decompress, recharge, learn some things and rework some aspects of Novo Studio. I will also be taking more time to focus on creating personal photographs. (Translation... more driving, exploring and trespassing). I will be posting a few updates here on the blog and on social media. As for my personal work, you can feel free to follow along on my website, on my Flickr page and on my Instagram page. Cheers to a New Year, see you soon. 

Philip Thomas // Novo Studio

Today on the blog, the recap continues with a look back at my year in Wedding and Engagement Photographs. Enjoy!

It's that time of year again; The time of year where I try to recap an entire year's worth of photography work in a couple of blog posts and by doing so, post WAY too many photos. First up, a look back at my year in Lifestyle and Commercial Photographs. Enjoy. 

How am I spending my Christmas holiday? I'm planning on...

You can't tell just by looking, but it was blistering cold on the day Ian, Karly and I met up for their engagement photos. I don't mind being cold. In fact, I'd prefer that to hot and sticky any day. And although Ian and Karly preferred the "wintery look" to spring, summer, or fall for their photos, I suspect...

Today on the blog: I'm flashing back to a few weeks ago when the temperatures were still warm and the fall color was just starting to show off. Here's a few of my favorite images from my afternoon with Nick and Alyssa. Enjoy!

I recently had the opportunity to work with the fine folks at Evolt Creative and Habit Outdoors to create some imagery for a new website launch. However, I do use the term "work" very loosely, as this project should've been classified as more of an adventure than an actual job. For 2 days, myself and a videographer (Matt Jeppsen) were turned loose on a 1500 acre property on the King's River complete with ATV's, models and apparel. So you see? Adventure, not work :) Here's a few of the resulting images. Enjoy. 

It's been an incredibly busy season for me and for that, I am both thankful and tired. Most of my posts as of late have been work related and although this one is as well, these images show more of the in-betweens and behind the scenes details from my life as of late. All images shot with an iPhone SE (because my iPhone 6plus met with an untimely death and truth be told, I was tired of the big phone anyway). Happy Monday and enjoy. 

I love Fall for a great many reasons. One of the biggest is that I can shoot a wedding without sweating through my shirt. Another really big one is that I inevitably get to create senior portraits this time of year. The mixture of turning colors, more tolerable weather and the opportunity to work with creative clients is a welcome mix of busyness. This is Elizabeth and today, I'm sharing a few of my favorite photos from her senior session. Enjoy. 

Big Big Big Congratulations to Seth & Hailey LAYTON. Their recent wedding was a joy to be a part of and today, I'm excited to share a few of my favorite images. Enjoy!

You know you're in the thick of a busy season when you just so happen to click on a professional social network only to find that...

Happy Fall Everyone. The new Bike Arkansas Magazine recently hit the shelves, stands and displays around here and it's chock-full of valuable information on everything from enjoying the local trails, to gear suggestions and probably most importantly, the upcoming International Mountain Bike Association (IMBA) World Summit. Today, I'm sharing a few of my favorite images from the recent shoots for this edition. Hopefully, they inspire you to get out and ride.

Cheers.

Say hello to Franklin and Lauren. Franklin happens to be my nephew and he is also a soon-to-be pilot in the United States Air Force. Lauren is also in United States Air Force, training to be in the "intelligence sector." (That's all I can say about that). I had the opportunity to hang out with them in Kansas City this past weekend for their engagement photos. Here's a few of my favorites. Enjoy! 

Congratulations to Derek and Anne on their beautiful wedding this past weekend. Today on the blog, I'm excited to share a few of my favorite images from the celebration. It was a sincere honor and privilege to meet you both and to share this special day with you. Thanks for having me and thanks to Stephen Ironside for the referral.

Welcome to the last week of 2015. This week, I'll be sharing some recap images of the adventures, the people and the projects from the year.