JONATHAN PITTS-WILEY

“Most of the light we interact with in the world comes from above.” — Leonora A. Burke
“I just want a real moment, even if it’s planned.” — Ben Staley
I love telling stories.

Growing up the son of artists, the magic of stories, real and imagined, always captivated me. Language is one of my favorite things and while I still love the written word, I’ve found myself increasingly drawn to the words I can write and the stories I can tell with a camera. always been drawn to photography. Capturing the interplay between light and darkness is a wild and fascinating and life-affirming pursuit. When I’m not taking pictures of Dope Lives and the Doing of Dope Things, I teach History and coach lacrosse at Moses Brown School in Providence, RI. I love History as a subject and it definitely informs the work I do as a photographer. Because free time is entirely overrated, I’m also the Artistic Director of Mixed Magic Theatre in Pawtucket, RI, which I run along with my parents (who co-founded the joint) and lovely wife, who scientists say is the best choir director ever.

Ever.

Portrait and performance photography are my jam. People, places, plays, playoffs, digital, analog…I love the challenge of trying to capture someone’s essence fully; their lines, their creases, the lessons they learned, the things that make them people. I love capturing those quintessential moments—those decisive moments—that articulate what it meant and means to be present in this life. I love figuring out the stories a subject and I can tell together.

I get fired up telling my stories. And your stories. And our stories.

While I’m mostly drawn to portrait and event photography, in the words of the great Frederick Douglass: I’m down for whatever. Everything’s a performance. Everything’s a portrait.

I hope you like what you see…

JPW