PHILADELPHIA, PA-This image comes from my first editorial project shoot at JPG, Veracity. Moon was incredibly welcoming, generous with her time, space, and trust. I was already familiar with Chabaa Bistro, but the collaboration went beyond expectations. She was deeply involved in the shoot, which always makes a difference, and the space itself did a lot of the work: natural light pouring through large windows, a calm, intentional atmosphere. She even sent us home with tea for the entire office. It was one of those shoots where everything aligned, and seeing it in print afterward didn’t hurt either.
The next photo takes us to Manayunk, my first time shooting this location for the marathon. The pace was fast, the energy high, and the entire neighborhood felt like it had poured out onto the streets. Manayunk confetti made an appearance, less than usual this year, but still unmistakable. It was a fixed course and a challenging space to navigate, but also a rare opportunity to experiment in a new location and work within those constraints. And when a community shows up like that, the images almost make themselves.
At the Museum of the American Revolution Gala, the moment centered around Wes Studi, the honoree of the evening. An iconic Native American actor, known for roles like The Last of the Mohicans, stands alongside Broadway performer Skye Lakota-Lynch, from The Outsiders, who delivered a powerful vocal performance that night. Despite the formality of step-and-repeat photos, Wes was remarkably down to earth, greeting everyone, fully present, genuinely happy to be there. It was one of those reminders that presence matters more than pageantry.
The following image was taken at National Council for Mental Wellbeing , an event defined by deeply personal stories around mental health. The conference as a whole carried a lot of emotional weight, and this particular frame captured that collective pause, a deep breath, a moment of reflection and a joyful smile. Patrick Kennedy was also in attendance, his story I hadn’t heard previously, but was grateful to. You could feel the impact of the conversations well beyond the room.
Then there’s Saquon at the Philadelphia Eagles Super Bowl Parade. When he appeared near City Hall, I knew exactly where we were and sprinted ahead as fast as I could, they were moving quickly, traffic everywhere. Somehow, the moment slowed just enough. Getting this image, Saquon holding hands with his family, felt quintessentially Philadelphia. Iconic, grounded, and human.
The final image shows Nick Sirianni pouring a beer into Mekhi Becton’s mouth. You could read a lot into that moment, Becton’s early struggles in the league, the shift after joining the Philadelphia Eagles , and what the gesture suggests beyond celebration. It’s a citywide win, alongside a quieter personal journey and trust unfolding in the background. Taken together, these images aren’t really just about events or outcomes. They’re about people showing up, in their spaces, their communities, their work and the trust that makes those moments possible. Whether it’s a restaurant owner opening her doors, a neighborhood filling the streets, a honoree fully present, or an athlete grounded by family each frame reflects something quieter. The kind of moments that only happen when there’s time, access, and mutual respect and when you’re paying close enough attention to see them.
As we begin 2026, these images remind us of the moments that make our work meaningful: the unexpected, the joyful, and the powerful. From shared celebrations to small acts of connection, it’s the people and their stories that shape the year. The year ahead is full of stories, and we’re ready to capture them all.
Have a project you want to work on this year? Reach out to us at hello@veracitystudios.com!
