People often assume being a photographer is all about snapping pretty pictures. And while beautiful images are absolutely the goal, what I truly aim to do is tell stories — the quiet, in-between moments that often go unnoticed until they’re captured and remembered.
No two days ever look quite the same, but there’s a rhythm to this work — a blend of creativity, connection, spontaneity, and just the right amount of chaos (the good kind). Here’s a glimpse into what it feels like to live a day as a professional lifestyle photographer.
It All Begins With Connection
Most of my days begin with connection — emails, calls, or messages from clients, whether they’re planning a family session, a personal branding shoot, or photos of a high school senior about to step into a new chapter of life.
I once had a mom email me the night before her son’s senior session. She was worried — not about outfits or location, but because she said, “He’s shy. He hates being in front of the camera. I just don’t want him to look or feel uncomfortable.”
I could feel the tenderness behind her words, so I sent back a quick message reassuring her that we’d keep it relaxed and natural. The next day, we started slow — a few casual prompts, some space to just be himself. By the end of the session, he was laughing at my jokes and even suggesting a few poses of his own.
A few days later she wrote back: “I don’t know how you did it, but that’s him. I see the same version of my son I see at home.”
That, to me, is success.
Holding Onto the Feeling
After every session, there’s a quiet moment when I sit down, open the gallery, and start to sift through what we created. I’m not looking for perfection — I’m looking for something honest. A glance that felt unguarded. A gesture that said more than words.
My editing process isn’t about filters or trends. It’s about preserving what was already there — the light, the mood, the feeling. I adjust just enough to bring the moment forward, but never so much that it feels like something else.
I want my photos to feel the same years from now as they did the day they were taken — not trendy or overdone, just real and quietly beautiful.
Sometimes I pause on a frame and think, Yes. That’s the one. Not because it’s perfectly composed, but because it feels authentic.
On Location, With People and Light
One of the most energizing parts of this job is simply being out in the world. Pittsburgh is such a dynamic backdrop — gritty and beautiful, full of texture and light.
Some days I’m shooting in an overgrown field near Sewickley. Other days I’m wandering through the Strip District with a branding client, chasing that perfect combination of morning sun and shadow on a brick wall.
I’ve photographed families as their toddlers run wild through Frick Park, and couples wrapped in scarves on the Clemente Bridge just before sunset. The best moments are almost always the unplanned ones — when someone lets their guard down, when laughter happens naturally, when the wind catches a dress or the light hits just right.
The “Quiet” Days Matter, Too
Not every day involves shooting. Some days are meant for scouting, reviewing, reflecting — the quieter parts of the work that no one sees but that shape everything. I try to make space for both wandering and wondering.
Sometimes I’ll drive without a plan, just noticing — the way afternoon light slips across a brick wall, or how the fog hangs low over the river. That’s part of it, too: staying open, staying curious. Letting stillness turn into inspiration.
For Moments Like This
Photography is physical, emotional, and sometimes unpredictable. But it’s also deeply meaningful. Every gallery I deliver is a little time capsule — a record of someone’s moment, milestone, or messy, beautiful day.
What keeps me going isn’t the gear or the technical side (though I do love my lenses). It’s the people. The laughter. The quiet in-between glances. The privilege of being invited into someone’s life, even just for an hour, and capturing something true.
Being a lifestyle photographer in Pittsburgh means embracing change, chasing light, and finding stories in ordinary places. And honestly? I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Let's tell your story!
If you’re thinking about documenting your own story, whether it’s a family session, a milestone, or a moment you want to hold onto, I’d love to hear from you. Let’s create something timeless together.
Please reach out — your story is waiting to be told!
