In this visual age, people take lots of pictures, but if you want a family portrait that will be a keepsake for generations to come, you can’t do better than commission Thomas Balsamo, a portrait artist from Barrington, Illinois. Balsamo’s black-and-white portraits are truly breathtaking and will enhance any home interior. In his own words, Portraits by Thomas strives “to create portraiture that speaks volumes about the subjects we capture. We want to thrill, captivate, and compel you … to linger on our work … The final result will be revered as the most valued possession of your lifetime…”

Balsamo’s destiny was set at the tender age of ten when he received his first camera. As a child, he roamed the Barrington countryside taking pictures of the landscape, and it soon became apparent that photography would become his career. He created his first portrait in 1978. Balsamo’s love of portraiture and his abiding interest in people is reflected in his simple, classic style that breathes life into his pictures.

People are also the root of Balsamo’s other passion: philanthropy.  Balsamo gives tirelessly of his time and talent to those less fortunate. A book he co-authored, Souls: Beneath and Beyond Autism, is a haunting and beautiful photographic essay featuring autistic children. Balsamo has worked with churches, corporations – notably Toys R Us – and individuals to bring the faces of autism and Down syndrome to public attention. His efforts have helped raise millions for these causes, and he’s done it with joy.

To learn more about Balsamo’s portraiture or to schedule an appointment, visit http://www.portraitsbythomas.com or call 847-381-7710. If you’re interested in his philanthropic work, visit http://tinyurl.com/oohncg