Today we’d like to introduce you to Saige Thomas.
Saige, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
My story starts with the Air Force bringing me to San Antonio. While I was working at Brooke Army Medical Center as an active duty Orthopedic surgical technician, I bought a camera with the aspiration of learning astrophotography. Just as most brand new photographers do, I took to Facebook to ask anyone if they’d like to take photos, giving me a chance to get to know my camera. I did a shoot with a local blogger, who ended up inviting me to shoot a fashion show featuring a local designer. I shot the fashion show and fell in love with the art of creating an experience of design presentation in a way that makes the audience feel something. I was fortunate enough to be published across 6 different magazines in the following 8 months to include Good Will, Style Lush TV, San Antonio Monthly Magazine, 71 Magazine, EPICC Magazine, and 26 & Beyond Model Magazine.
Immediately after shooting my first show, I searched all over to find every fashion show I could, offering free photos in order to gain experience. A month later I found a second show to shoot that supported DreamWeekSA, a city-wide, month long series of events that support civic engagement, diversity, and idea-sharing. Following that particular show, I was asked to work on a volunteer basis for a digital fashion company and I quickly accepted. The amount of experience I gained from that job was invaluable.
A year later, I was presented the opportunity from a local vintage designer (Minx & Onyx) to direct a fashion show for a sustainability-focused event for DreamWeekSA. I leaped at the chance, wanting to create a show that made the audience feel something while supporting a cause that I believe in. This show was a challenge, considering it was during Covid (January 2021) and I had to ensure the event was primarily safe, entertainment coming second. All of the models involved wore masks throughout the duration of the show and we had Covid screenings at the door. Despite the challenges, we had a safe, successful event.
5 months later, I exited from the military and volunteered my services to produce my second show in order to raise money for TEXAS FASHION WEEK™, on behalf of the Texas Fashion Industry Initiative (TFII). TFII is a non-profit dedicated to the growth of Texas Fashion through career development & empowerment for local designers and entrepreneurs. I requested to produce TEXAS FASHION WEEK™, and was granted the opportunity through the trust of the founder, Burgundy Woods.
TXFW™ took place the 1-7th of October, with support from the CFDA™, and featured 14 designers, 50 models, and 8 vendors. We had over 500 attendees filter in and out of our 4 themed fashion shows, and also featured a Sustainability Competition amongst 40 high school students, aspiring to become designers.
I’m incredibly thankful for all of the opportunities that have come my way thanks to all of the supportive individuals around me and I aspire to produce fashion shows that benefit humanitarian causes in the future.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The biggest obstacle I’ve come across for TXFW™ is funding & support. Since this was a first for our state, it has not been easy to get people on board with the movement. After completing the first TXFW™, we’ve received great feedback from those who attended, which will hopefully produce more sponsors and volunteers in the future.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am a fashion photographer, who also has a love for producing fashion shows. I’m most proud of my photography work during the George Floyd protests, because that moment in time really needed to be documented. Fashion show wise, I’m most proud of my work for TXFW™ – we literally made history for our state and I can’t wait to see that expand.
So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
I’m always looking for more creatives to collaborate and work with, reaching out to me via email or through IG works best.
Contact Info:
- Email: saigethomasphotography@gmail.com
- Website: www.saigethomasphotography.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/saigethomasphotography
- Other: www.texasfashionweek.org
Image Credits
Agosto Cuellar
Isabella Gonzales
Christopher Cantoya
Gabriela Congrains
Breajee McMillian
Miguel Flores
Austin Alegria
Denzel Papillon
Jiselle Adams
Christy Campbell
Bonnie Young
Brittney Elzy
Elliot Carlyle
Michelle Saldua
Saige Thomas
Nani Mendez
