I’ve long been drawn to the things that make a photograph more than a record of who was there. The way light falls across a room, the bond between two people, a quiet gesture that might easily slip by, or the feeling a particular place brings to an image.
After more than 25 years behind the camera, these are still the things that guide how I see the world and photograph families as a Pittsburgh photographer.
Four artists, in particular, have influenced the way I see: Mary Cassatt, Rembrandt, Frank Lloyd Wright, and Vincent van Gogh. Their mediums and subjects vary widely, but I find myself returning to their work for different reasons, each offering something I carry into my own photographs.
Mary Cassatt and the Beauty of Everyday Moments
Mary Cassatt was born in what is now Pittsburgh’s North Side. She became the only American artist officially associated with the French Impressionists, exhibiting alongside some of the most influential painters of her era. As a woman pursuing an artistic career in the 1800s, she challenged expectations and helped open doors for future generations of women artists.
Her paintings often depict mothers and children, capturing the tenderness of ordinary life: a hand resting on a back, a child leaning into a mother, the quiet affection between them.
When I photograph families, especially newborns at home, those connections are at the heart of every session.
I find myself drawn to the in-between moments. A mother gently rocking her baby, a favorite spot on the couch, the way a parent instinctively reaches for a tiny hand. I offer light guidance when needed, while leaving room for the interactions that happen on their own.
Rembrandt and the Art of Seeing Light
Rembrandt’s paintings have fascinated me for years, particularly the way he used light and shadow to create dimension, mood, and emotion. A face emerging from a darker background, light catching the curve of a cheek, the quiet drama of a single illuminated detail.
When I step into a home with my camera, light is the very first thing I look for. I pay close attention to the windows, the angle of the sun, and how brightness travels across a room. Soft side light can bring richness to a portrait, while the contrast between light and shadow adds depth and draws the eye.
Frank Lloyd Wright and the Relationship Between People and Place
Growing up in Pittsburgh, with Fallingwater and Kentuck Knob nearby, it’s hard not to appreciate Frank Lloyd Wright’s influence on the architecture of this region.
His buildings connect with their surroundings in ways that feel almost effortless. Natural materials, strong lines, thoughtful composition, and the flow between indoor and outdoor spaces all shape how I look at a home.
When I photograph families where they live, the house itself becomes part of the picture. A doorway, a staircase, a favorite reading nook, or the view through a row of windows can add another layer to a photograph. I’m interested in how people move through their spaces and how the places they inhabit reflect who they are.
Your home is more than a backdrop. It’s part of your identity. The familiar corners, the details you’ve collected, and the rooms where everyday life unfolds can make a photograph feel uniquely yours.
Vincent van Gogh and the Energy of Color and Movement
Van Gogh’s bold color palettes, expressive brushwork, and sweeping sense of motion bring unmistakable vitality to his paintings.
That sense of movement and energy is something I look for in my own photographs.
Some of my favorite images happen when people forget about the camera for a moment. Through playful prompts and gentle direction, I encourage families to move, interact, and let their personalities come through. A family walking together, children running through a field, a senior soaking in the last bit of afternoon sunshine.
Color plays a part, too. I enjoy watching the Pittsburgh landscape change throughout the seasons, from the fresh greens of spring to the warm golds of an October afternoon. Sometimes a little movement, beautiful light, and an honest expression are all a photograph needs.
Feeling comfortable in front of the camera
What It All Comes Down To
Each of these artists approaches art differently, yet they share a distinct way of seeing the world. Cassatt captures tenderness. Rembrandt explores light and shadow. Wright creates a relationship between people and the spaces they inhabit. Van Gogh embraces color, movement, and energy.
Variety is what keeps photography interesting to me after more than 25 years. Every session brings something different to notice, from the way someone interacts with a loved one to an unexpected expression or a beautiful patch of afternoon light. Ultimately, I’m photographing people, not just how they look, but the connections, personalities, and little quirks that make them who they are.
I love the idea of a photograph becoming part of your home. Something you walk past every day, stop to look at occasionally, and appreciate in a different way as the years go by. A photograph can bring you back to a particular season of life, remind you of someone you love, or reveal a detail you hadn’t noticed before.
I hope the photographs we create together become part of your family’s story. Images that make you smile on an ordinary Tuesday, carry you back to a meaningful chapter of life, and grow even more precious decades from now. I believe the best photographs aren’t just about remembering what life looked like. They’re about remembering what it felt like.
Let's create together
Whether we’re photographing your family at home, celebrating your senior, welcoming a new baby, or creating portraits in the studio, I’d love to help you preserve this season of life in a way that feels natural, artful, and true to you.
