Explorer & Photographer

Tom
Tranfaglia

Photographer and videographer. North Shore, Massachusetts. Exploring as much of it — and the country beyond it — as I can, one place at a time.

Tom Tranfaglia on location

ON LOCATION — BOLD COAST, ME

Background

The Man With Many Hats

I'm a professional photographer and videographer who grew up in Lenox, Massachusetts, and now calls Beverly, Massachusetts, home. Action sports have been a part of my life for as long as I can remember, and they've always been a huge drive and inspiration behind my photography. Now, at twenty seven, as much as I still love these sports, they've become more of a vessel to get me closer to the places I want to photograph and out into nature. I think everyone should see and experience the beauty this world has to offer, whether that means a walk through your local nature preserve or a drive across the country.

I started using cameras when I was about ten years old, initially just to film and document myself doing action sports. Seventeen years later, that's still the reason I'm photographing. One thing I've always prided myself on is doing exactly what I want, nearly to a fault. Most of the exploring I do is on a whim, a random morning decision. Ninety nine percent of the time, I just shoot from the hip and send it. I'd like to think the adventure doesn't really start until shit hits the fan, because the most noteworthy stories in my life come from exactly that. Frankly, I just trust the process. My work can look all over the place, but that's just because I'm someone who gets hyperfixated on whatever I'm into. I honestly believe anyone can do anything if they spend enough time practicing. I'm not sure where this career is going to take me, but it's worked out so far, and I don't regret a second of it.

Always
Exploring Somewhere New
12+
North Shore Locations
100%
Shot On-Site
Out There

Never Too Many Hobbies

If you see me outdoors without a camera in my hands, chances are I'll look like this. Just know there's still definitely a camera close by.

Mountain biking on the backyard trails Backyard Trails
Tom Tranfaglia climbing a boulder Mid-Climb
Indian Head overlook, Adirondacks, New York Indian Head, NY
Tom Tranfaglia slacklining across a forest stream Slacklining
Two longboarders carving under an overpass Longboarding
Backcountry ski touring at dusk on Mount Greylock, with valley lights below Mount Greylock, MA
Kayaking the Housatonic River through dense summer trees Housatonic River, MA
Mountain biker whipping a jump in the bare spring woods Salem, MA
Diving off a cliff into a lake with mountains in the distance Vermont
Diving off a tall railroad bridge into a river below Vermont
Tom Tranfaglia standing poolside

After Hours

I work full-time as a video producer for Boston University.

Tom Tranfaglia falling backward into a pool, fully clothed
Tom Tranfaglia's Subaru set up for car camping in the woods, doors open
Car Camping

Home Base, Wherever That Is

I don't know what people picture when I say I car camp, but I can assure you it's not this. The 2016 Subaru Legacy Car Camper was built out basically for free, and for someone who's 5'8", it's pretty damn cozy. This bad boy got me all over New England last summer, and from Beverly, MA to Yosemite National Park this summer. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't actively looking and saving for a Tacoma, but there will always be something special about roughing it out in this thing.

The plywood sleeping platform and blanket in the back of the car
Packed gear and a backpack in the back seat
Trail maps and guides tucked into a seat organizer
View from inside the car toward the front seats
A kayaker paddling under a bridge during a snowfall
A kayaker paddling through falling snow
A Recurring Bit

Picture or It Didn't Happen

Thumbs up. Proof that we have arrived.

Thumbs up at the summit of Mount Lafayette, New Hampshire Mount Lafayette, NH
A Recurring Bit

Picture or It Didn't Happen

Thumbs up. Proof that we have arrived.

Thumbs up in front of the Grand Tetons, Wyoming Grand Tetons, WY
Thumbs up at Arethusa Falls, New Hampshire Arethusa Falls, NH
Double thumbs up in front of the Rockport Fourth of July bonfire Rockport, MA
A tiny figure giving a thumbs up dwarfed by a massive waterfall in Crawford Notch Crawford Notch, NH
A silhouetted figure giving a thumbs up on a rooftop against a cloudy sky Lenox, MA
A tiny figure giving a thumbs up on a granite ledge overlooking El Capitan, Yosemite El Capitan, CA
Thumbs up on a granite ledge below Half Dome, Yosemite Half Dome, CA
Thumbs up beside the Subaru Legacy Car Camper at Snowy Range Pass, Wyoming Snowy Range, WY
Thumbs up on the gorge trail at Watkins Glen, New York Watkins Glen, NY
Thumbs up in a parking lot beside a massive wind turbine blade in Iowa Iowa
Thumbs up while holding a mountain bike overhead against fall foliage in Lenox, Massachusetts Lenox, MA
Thumbs up overlooking Niagara Falls Niagara Falls
Thumbs up beside the car at the Grand Teton National Park entrance sign Grand Tetons, WY
Thumbs up in the pool below the twin cascades of Bash Bish Falls Bash Bish Falls, MA
How I Work

Approach & Equipment

Tom Tranfaglia and a collaborator holding camera rigs on a film shoot

Filming Come From Away on Broadway

A few years ago, I had the opportunity to film Come From Away on Broadway at the USO. It was an incredible experience I still can't quite believe happened. This job fell into place because my sister is an associate producer for No Guarantees, the Broadway production company. It's crazy where photography has brought me. Getting to work side by side with my sister is something I'll never forget.

Tom Tranfaglia adjusting a camera rig at Rafe's Chasm

Digital & Film, One Kit

  • Canon R6 — primary digital body
  • Nikon F3 & Bronica ETRS — 35mm and medium format film
  • Nine lenses, wide to macro

Video, Drone & Post

  • Gimbal-stabilized video, dedicated audio
  • FAA-licensed drone coverage
  • In-house film darkroom for 35mm & medium format
See the Full Kit & Gear →