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Wissmach Glass has quickly become one of our favorite clients, with a long list of colors and products. This 441LL color sample earned at least 5 OOOHs when I pulled it for photographing.

 

Their work is just as playful and fun as they are. Adeye Jean-Baptiste was the first client to have work photographed in the new studio (official launch coming soon).

 

One year, we partnered with Union Project to do a pet portrait project, where folks could come in and get a few quick photos of their favorite furry (or not) animal. We needed some promotional images to market the event, so we turned to the all-around swell dog mom, blogger, podcaster, and canine enrichment expert Tori Mistick, to 'borrow' her pups Lucy and Burt for some portraits. This is one of Burt's that has always been my fave of the day. BONUS: Sam drew Burt from another portrait from this same shoot for her #100DaysOfDoggos project.

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Towards the end of my session with award-winning author and total miscreant Brian Broome, I asked him if I could move some lights around to do something different, warning, "It might not look good, I just want to try something." He happily agreed, striking this amazingly thoughtful and judgey pose, which turned out to be my favorite from the shoot.

 

During a lightning headshot event with FullTimePGH at the former Percolate Gallery, Hudson Rush wanted to try something different to illustrate a sense of movement. We brainstormed for a few minutes, and I switched my settings up to take a long exposure while moving the camera, leaving a ghostly trail in an otherwise ordinary headshot.

 

I love doing portraits of artists, like this one of Carrie Smith Libman, and especially when they want to include their own artwork in the frame!

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I have so many faves from Pittsburgh Glass Center that I had to pick two. The first exemplifies the dramatic showmanship that sometimes comes when glassblowing demonstrations merge with performance art. The second is one of the glass world's kings of showmanship, John Miller, in a fun, candid moment. There is always something fun or interesting to see at this world-class facility.

 

Rachel Liang is such a character and fun person to work with, whether you are a photographer or one of her clients. Her quirky spirit shines through her insightful work. When she was discussing with me what she wanted to try in some of her business branding portraits, her face lit up when she asked if she could toss her camera. I was, of course, happy to oblige for a fun shot. Not AI - seriously.

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Watching the Swissvale Edible Garden Tour grow from an idea seed to a key 5-year community asset has been truly remarkable. I have always enjoyed meeting the lovely folks who open their gardens to the public. Many share not only their space, but their knowledge, and often a refreshing beverage or snack. It's such a welcoming and kind community event that I have loved documenting from the very beginning.

 

Stephanie Martin's work defies the question "What is it?" You have to see it and feel it, preferably from multiple angles, to truly get a sense of the heft and organic elegance that comes through her ceramic work.

 

I can never remember a time in my life when my dad, Richard Shaulis, was not working on some project or another (or another), in his basement shop. I wanted to capture him, of course, but also his space, in this environmental portrait. Here, he pauses a moment from carving the seat of a handmade chair.

PS – We continue to appreciate all the love and support sent our way after saying goodbye to Porter. Thank you. We are weathering the waves of grief as best as we can, but it's still so hard, and we miss him constantly.