Thomas Bogaev is an award-winning fine art and commercial photographer known for his landscapes, street photography, and portraiture.
His photography is permanently exhibited in prestigious collections at Princeton University, Sir Trevor Nunn’s Art Collection, Dr. David Milch’s Foundation (DMF), Nikonians International Photo Gallery, and Weston High School. Additionally, his works are showcased in prominent residences across CT, NYC, D.C., and London.
He primarily shoots with the Canon EOS 5D Mark III and FUJICA GW690 Professional Medium Format Camera.
Under the guidance of acclaimed photographers Deana Lawson and James Welling, Bogaev's portrait style evolved to reflect an editorial aesthetic. This development allows him to craft more compelling narratives of his subjects, whether for his personal artistic endeavors or commissioned projects. It not only influences his visual work but also informs his extensive exploration of photography's deeper meanings and implications.
Bogaev primarily writes on the topic of photography. His article “Cuestionar Fotografía es Entender a Oscar Muñoz” questions the artistic practice from a metaphysical standpoint by analyzing artworks by Colombian artist Oscar Muñoz. In the concluding chapter of his Princeton thesis on the identity of Spain, he conducts a comprehensive analysis of Robert Capa's photojournalism during the Spanish Civil War, delving into its profound impact as a narrative instrument that defines the raw human experience during wartime. Bogaev’s article “La Imagen Frente al Contexto” also explores war photography: Susan Meiselas is known for her daring street photography in Nicaragua during its civil war.
Bogaev’s impact transcends conventional photography as he has pioneered a revolution in extreme sports videography using the AI-enhanced Insta360 X3. He creates immersive and cost-effective visuals that captivate audiences. His latest project is a compelling third-person perspective film that documents his audacious 200-foot remote ice climb up the North Face of Pitchoff Mountain. Undertaken amidst challenging early season thin and delaminated ice conditions, it epitomizes the fusion of his technical expertise and fearless determination.
Alongside these pursuits, Bogaev has garnered accolades spanning nearly a decade.
Won First Place in the People Category for the 2023 International Eye Photo Contest with his Nuns of the Plaza (Seville, Spain). There were 250 submissions from Princeton students taken in over 30 countries.
Received honorable mention with his landscape of Cerro Campanario Bariloche, Argentina in the 2022 SPO Study Abroad Photo Contest. His work was used as the promotional flyers for the 2023 Princeton in Argentina Program.
Published his photography book in 2021 to chronicle his extensive 12,000-mile road trip through Western America, capturing the awe-inspiring landscapes of 14 states and over 25 national parks. (Ten distinct framed images with different sizings and materials are on sale in his website)
Contributed his portraits to the TigerTrends Fashion Magazine for the December 2021 and March 2023 issues, showcasing his distinctive portraiture style. (Bogaev offers portrait services through his website)
Exhibited his compelling street photography collection of New York City blue-collar workers in the competitive Princeton SAB Inspiration Project 2020, in the Life and Labor category.
His photograph Night Ride was published in Photographer’s Forum Best of Photography 2017 (hardcover coffee-table book) and In Orbit was selected and displayed by Nikonians International Photo Gallery, whose mission statement is “to showcase only the best photos in a highly curated gallery.”
Bogaev took two ribbons at Focus ’17—the highly respected Wilton Arts Council Juried Photography Contest—including First Place for his ironic street photo Hungry, a portrait of a homeless man standing in front of a brightly painted ad for Burgers & Fries, and also received two ribbons in Focus ’18 for different works. In this highly competitive and prestigious contest Bogaev was the only photographer in the country-wide show to win an award for both works.
Featured in the spring 2017 Congressional Art Award exhibition, Hungry hangs by the desk of CT Congressman Jim Himes.
Bogaev seeks to use his photography to heighten viewers’ empathy and social conscience, and actively fundraises through selling his work at his exhibits as well as at his Keys to a Cure concerts, at the end of which he auctions off his photographs and donates the proceeds to charity. His solo exhibition at Rockwell Art showcased his street photography, with a portion of profits donated to Venice Community Housing, which reduces homelessness and advocates for public policy that protects the economic, racial and cultural diversity of Venice. Profits were also given to the Norwalk CT Open Door Shelter. Bogaev insists that “Art can make us more sensitive to social issues like homelessness, but what is also critical for these struggling men and women is to find solutions to their dire conditions through shifts in public policy, and by directly raising and contributing funds for their needs.”
