Thom Shelby

Contributing Photographer

Thom began shooting pictures at the age of 8 using a Kodak cartridge camera. By high school, he was fortunate to be mentored by both Dan Dry and Melissa Farlow, notable photographers then working at the Courier Journal in Louisville.  After attending Ohio University for five years pursuing a degree in visual communications, he began working as a magazine freelancer for National Geographic Traveler, Forbes, Fortune, GQ and many more, including German Playboy (sorry, sports stories only!). His most notable image of the 9-11 attack on the World Trade Center appeared in Time Magazine. Thom provided all of the photography for SAVING KENTUCKY written by Sally Van Winkle Campbell. The book is a collection of stories and photographs about Kentuckians who live and work in our state.

Thom currently works as a commercial photographer specializing in luxury hotel branding. His work takes him all over the United States as well as the Caribbean and Asia. His work now appears in Town&Country, Conde Nast Traveler and The New York Times, as well as many other travel and luxury publications.

Thom returned seven years ago from New York City to live in Louisville with his wife and young daughter. He enjoys spending time playing Bluegrass guitar and learning banjo. Even though his work takes him to so many different places, there is no place he would rather live than in Kentucky.