PHILADELPHIA, PA-This photo stands out for a few reasons. It may be the last record of this gym in its current state, but it was also my first real opportunity to notice the mural inside. Standing there, I couldn’t help but wonder what the renovation will bring: what will be transformed, what will be preserved, and what will be reimagined. Boxing is synonymous with Philadelphia, yet like this rec center, it was a part of my own neighborhood I’d never stepped into, unfamiliar territory right in my own backyard.
During the shoot, I met someone else who grew up here. We walked through the rec center together, and at one point, he stopped and said, “I didn’t know this was here.” Turns out I wasn’t alone; we were both uncovering new corners of our neighborhood for the first time.
The next image was also taken at Happy Hollow, this time during the ribbon-cutting ceremony—an event that stayed with me. It was my first time photographing Mayor Parker, but more than that, this is my neighborhood. My family still lives here. Watching her up close, I understood why people respond to her the way they do. It didn’t feel like a standard podium speech. The crowd was fully engaged, reacting to her stories about the rec center, even singing the “Happy Hollow” song together. There’s a palpable difference when people are truly present, when a speaker isn’t just delivering remarks but genuinely connecting with the room. Her ties to Uptown and the Northwest were clear, and as you can see in this photo, everyone felt at ease, enjoying the moment.
Some of my favorite shoots are the unexpected ones. The Laurel Hill meditation walk changed how I see cemetery spaces, really, all of the photo and video work we’ve done for Laurel Hill has. This image stands out because it’s uncommon: the red of her hat cuts takes center stage in the frame, almost like a bird’s beak against all that green. It works because of the context, and because there’s something special about these unorthodox captures.
This next image is also from a Rebuild event. I’ve always struggled with photos where community members—especially kids, like the young boy here—look directly into the camera or acknowledge it. I prefer to work as a fly on the wall, letting moments unfold naturally rather than inserting myself into them. That isn’t always possible. When a subject breaks the fourth wall, I often don’t take the shot. This time, he kept staring, and eventually I gave in and pressed the shutter. It forces me to reflect on my presence at these shoots how visible I am, and how I adapt in those moments. Despite that internalized tension, I love photographing community engagement events like this one. These are real activities, not staged lectures hands in the dirt, literally, as neighbors garden together.
Ribbon cuttings are standard work, but when kids are involved, you get real moments. The same is true for community events, whether it’s Mayor Parker in Germantown or Councilman Mark Squilla elsewhere; the energy shifts when locals show up and feel invested.
The Starfinder Foundation alumni golf event was particularly fun since I’m affiliated with the organization outside of JPG, Veracity. Photographing people I know, Mo, and others, always makes the work easier. This photo captures the unconventional game they created, with Mo getting special treatment by using his feet. When people are comfortable, it shows.
Donor events offer something different: they’re smaller, more personal, and often quieter in their impact. Video work was another major highlight this year, traveling to new locations for new clients like BrightAI keeps things fresh. And yes, we covered the Eagles, obviously. This is Philadelphia.
What connects a cemetery walk, a youth golf tournament, and a neighborhood gathering is community, not as an abstract idea, but as a lived experience. The best images may just happen when people forget I’m there.
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!
