WORKING TOGETHER

Working together is less about a transaction and more about a shared process—one that adapts to the person, the context, and what the work is asking for.

Whether it’s a private portrait session, an editorial assignment, or an institutional collaboration, the approach remains consistent: building trust quickly, creating space for presence, and shaping images that feel both intentional and alive.

EXPERIENCES

Portrait sessions and personal work shaped through presence, trust, and attention.

GRACE BEVILACQUA | DESIGN STRATEGIST

Working with Jonathan is truly an experience, not a transaction. Though I had some nerves going into our maternity session, he immediately made me feel at ease and present throughout the entire process. He struck the right balance between offering gentle, helpful direction and making space for me to express my true self. Jonathan's roots as a teacher are apparent — he explains both the technical aspects as well as the artistic choices of everything he's doing, and it's impossible not to be inspired by the passion he clearly feels for his photography practice. The portraits we created together feel deeply personal and alive — every time I look at them I'm brought back to that time in my life and joyful memory of our session. I couldn’t be more grateful for the experience and the images we made.

CATERINA MAINA | ARTIST / CULTURAL WORKER

My boyfriend and I got our photographs taken by Jonathan in his studio and had such a blast! He made us feel super comfortable and laugh at the awkward moments. He captured us beautifully, and I look back on those photographs so fondly. I even have one as my phone screen background! We got some beautiful black and white film and digital images. He was both professional and comforting throughout the whole process.

MEAGAN FORD | HEALTHCARE PROVIDER

A prayer of mine is to see myself and others how God sees us. I’m not sure if he is praying for the same thing, but when I am in front of Jonathan’s lens, I feel like I am seen. More than that, I am felt. I’ve had the honor of working with him four times now. The first time went so well that I knew there was no better person for the other occasions, including a “just because I’m in town and love working with him so much” session. There are many photographers who will take photos of you that come out great, but there is something special about making portraits with Jonathan that can’t be replicated. The way he is able to capture people and their essence just feels important. Not only will you absolutely love the finished product, you will also have fun during your session and leave feeling beautiful, empowered, uplifted, inspired, and all the other good things.

LEXIE THOMPSON | OPERATIONS MANAGER

I needed to have headshots taken for my new job, and Jonathan was recommended to me as a portrait photographer. Prior to my session with Jonathan, I loathed having pictures of myself taken since I was rarely pleased with the outcome. I told him about my previous experiences, and he was very encouraging throughout the hour session. He took the time to ask me about myself, and how I wanted to be perceived through the portraits he was taking. He was extremely knowledgeable on what lighting and angles would work best for me, and it shows in the pictures. Not only is he a very skilled photographer, but he is gifted in his ability to connect with those he meets in his sessions, which makes him and his business exceptional.

WORKING OUTCOMES

Institutional, editorial, and organizational work across systems, teams, and public-facing environments.

BARR FOUNDATION | ELLIE WINTER, DIGITAL COMMUNICATION MANAGER

The Barr Foundation hired Jonathan to take headshots for our staff and trustees. We were looking for photos that matched our existing style, but infused more warmth and personality to complement an upcoming rebrand. Our staff is diverse in skin tone, age, and comfort in front of the camera—Jonathan captured them all with kindness and skill. His work day-of was efficient and flexible, and the final edited photos arrived promptly. The staff have been overwhelmingly thrilled with the results, and many have asked that he return for their events and other projects. The finished photos shine brightly on our new website, we're grateful to have benefited from his artistry to help tell our institutional story.

RACHAEL JEFFERS | ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR OF ENGAGEMENT, RHODE ISLAND HUMANITIES

When planning 50Fest to mark this milestone anniversary of Rhode Island Humanities in 2023, we didn’t want to only focus on our past 50 years in Rhode Island, but also to look ahead into the next 50. This is why it was so valuable for us to partner with portrait photographer Jonathan Pitts-Wiley to create the Future50 Portrait Studio where participants were invited to contemplate their hopes for our collective future. It was wonderful to watch Jonathan in his element as he effortlessly made portrait subjects feel at ease in front of the camera — no easy feat! And to watch him engage with them on a personal level was truly meaningful. The end result was a collection of beautiful portraits that weaves together a tapestry of community members, strangers, families, friends, and colleagues connecting through the humanities around possibility and hope. Jonathan's thoughtful stewardship of this experience as both photographer and collaborator was invaluable!

JOSEPH DEL BUONO | FOUNDER/CEO, THE DEL BUONO GROUP

I recently worked with Jon on a new photo shoot for my company, and he absolutely nailed my vision. From the start, he took the time to understand exactly what I was looking for during a pre-production meeting and brought it to life with precision. During the shoot, Jon's presence, direction, and personality made me feel completely comfortable, allowing me to relax - and that ultimately came through in the photos. He worked with both digital and film, capturing a stunning range of shots that exceeded my expectations. The final images were beautifully curated, showcasing his keen eye for detail and artistic approach. If you’re looking for a photographer who truly listens, delivers, and makes the process enjoyable - Jon is the one to call.

AMANDA ROCK | VP OF PLATFORMS, CURIOSITY & CO.

I have worked with Jonathan for many years both for portraits and event photography. His talent is obvious and what is truly amazing is the experience he creates and his ability to capture people and moments in a deeply meaningful way. Often I see things differently when I get pictures back. He really spends the time to partner with people to understand them and their stories. Jonathan is a constant learner and is very creative, flexible, and always researching. I deeply appreciate his ability to simultaneously utilize his experience and continually seek inspiration and new skills. I look forward to my next opportunity to work with Jonathan.

JACOB RICHMAN | ARTIST / EDUCATOR / BASSIST, VERDANT VIBES

Jonathan Pitts-Wiley photographed my band while we were recording our album. He took both group photos and individual portraits. There are nine members of the group, all different sizes, genders, skintones, and styles, and all the pictures came out fantastic. JPW has a keen eye, great skill and flexibility with his tools, and is a patient, wonderfully creative, and fun person to work with. He used high contrast black and white with our project, but he is expert in all digital formats, as well as medium format chemical portraits. I can't recommend him enough!

RAY SULTAN | WRITER & STRATEGIST

Working with Jon was a truly fantastic experience. He took the time to understand exactly what I was going for, then pushed me to think bigger, with a sense of style that I really appreciated. He was organized and efficient, but also warm and welcoming and fun. (The man is an A+ hang.) When I saw the selects, I was thrilled. I'm in a creative-adjacent field, so it's incredibly important that my digital presence reflects well on my taste — and Jon has taste in spades. It would be hard to describe the difference his work has made for me in my career.

ARTIST PERSPECTIVE

Reflections from artists, writers, and collaborators engaging with the work.

TINA CANE | POET & EDUCATOR

I am usually uncomfortable sitting for a photograph. Something about the soul. Something about being fixed for all time, not being captured the way I feel inside. Then, I met Jonathan Pitts-Wiley. What a revelation to find that if you hang out, listen to some disco, and engage in authentic conversation, an inspired photographer can turn the experience into an energy exchange. Jonathan Pitts-Wiley has a deep-seeking eye, which I’m grateful to have trained on mine. So many kinds of seeing.

ADAM OLENN | CEO, RUSTLE AND SPARK

Any smartphone's camera can autofocus while balancing ISO, aperture, and shutter speed to deliver a decently-exposed image. And with "portrait mode," you can even get the blurred background characteristic of a quality lens. AI programs can turn any snapshot into something that looks more professional. None of which changes the fact that you should seriously consider hiring Jonathan Pitts-Wiley to take your headshots. Yes, his commercial portraits have the power and dynamism of fine art, but Jonathan brings something to the table that no technology can match: Jonathan. A great portrait captures the essence of a person's humanity. It freezes a moment when you can feel their vibe. That only happens if you bring the vibe to the surface—and have the technical excellence to capture it. That's what Jonathan Pitts-Wiley does. In a world where most sales, marketing, and job-seeking begins digitally, this is an investment you can't afford to skip.

TOCHI ONYEBUCHI | AUTHOR

Jon Pitts-Wiley is an artist par excellence. I've had the honor of spending several photography sessions with him and am constantly amazed not only by his brilliance and his eye for the poignant detail that pulls the picture together, but for his ability to engender comfort in his subject. No matter the expression I gave his lens, it was always from a position of absolute ease. I know, with every session, that I'm in the hands of both a man who knows what he's doing and an adventurer of the form. It doesn't hurt that he has the habit of making me look quite good.

Considering a session or project?

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