NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) — Patrick Thomas starts every day in the newsroom, dark and early at 4:00 a.m. Then, he gets to business.

Spending hours in his office and in the field, Thomas is in charge of the entire photography fleet at the news station. He's WGNO's chief photographer, a position he takes great honor in.

He's not only the chief photographer, but he's also the first Black chief photographer at WGNO. 2025 is the 20-year anniversary of being chief. "It makes me feel good, I mean, it doesn't change the fact that I love my job," said Thomas.

But before WGNO, and before becoming a photographer, Thomas had a very different life. Growing up in Lafayette, he was heavily involved in church. Prior to graduating from Holy Rosary Institute, he met someone who would change his life.

"I rememb

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