2019 Year in Review

January can be a cold and lonely time for a photographer. Last year the quiet lull brought on a lot of frustration and conjecture. Finding satisfaction and purpose during a few slow weeks is not the easiest thing to do as a freelancer.

While this January I have a better grasp on the ebb and flow of my creative calendar, I still find myself antsy and speculative. I also find that this lull has allowed me to reflect on the year past - and 2019 is definitely a year worth reflecting on.

This year I got my first magazine cover and then a few more. I photographed my first celebrity (coming soon). My editorial assignments have provided me the opportunity to engage with and tell the stories of the Pittsburghers who help make this city thrive.

Outside of the editorial world, I expanded my commercial portfolio into the education market. I also pulled myself in studio and further developed some of the portrait concepts that I've been bouncing around - one of which I was able to apply to an ongoing editorial portrait project.

Various non-profits and private clients also kept me busy covering events, city initiatives, volunteer programs and more. While some may see this as the inevitable bread and butter work, I love the access to these little pockets of Pittsburgh - it gives me perspective on what's happening outside of my own bubble.

Oh and I almost forgot one my favorite highlights - my first ever gallery show featuring selections from my Cuba collection.

It's been a formative year to say the least - a year that built up my confidence and enthusiasm as a photographer and business owner. That positivity is coming along for the ride in 2020 to tackle a new list of achievments and adventures. With two more magazine covers in print and lots of shoots already on the books, I feel good this January.

So here it is, a brief year in review...

Pittsburgh Magazine

Pittsburgher of the Year, Max King for Pittsburgh Magazine

Dotti White

Arlan Hess at her bookstore City Books for Pittsburgh Magazine. This is my first ever photo for Pittsburgh Magazine. Arlan invited me to be the first gallery show at her newly aquired bookstore where I showcased selections from my Cuba collection.

R. Weis in his recording studio where he recorded his latest album "Glass in Your Ear" using only glass objects, shot for Pittsburgh Magazine.

My first full feature piece with Pittsburgh Magazine. This was unexpectedly selected for the cover story. The staff chose to use my portraits to create three different versions of the cover.

H Magazine for the Heinz Endowments

My first ever magazine cover and other photos taken for the first 2019 issue of H Magazine (The Heinz Endowments). This issue focused on neighborhood initiatives in Hazelwood, Pittsburgh.

The Ellis School

Pittsburgh Founders for TEQ Magazine - Pittsburgh Technology Council

Portraits taken for an ongoing project called Pittsburgh Founders for the Pittsburgh Technology Council. These are the first two portraits of seven highlighting entrepreneurs in the area.