First, can you tell em how you got into photography in the first place?

I was planning on going to art school after college. But my dad at my high school graduation bought me a Canon DSLR as a graduation gift. I switched my major in college after that – it piqued my interest.

When I was in college I got an internship working for Michael Fabus  – the Steelers’ team photographer at the time. I ended up doing that for two-and-a-half years. I started off helping in what I thought was a short stint – I got to go cover the AFC Championship game versus the Patriots in 2004 – unfortunately we lost. But they ended up keeping me on – and from then on I knew that this is what I wanted to do.

After the internship I left Pittsburgh but returned a short while later. I helped work Charlie Batch’s Best of Batch Competition as a photographer. Art Rooney came to the event, and a week later he brought me in to be the staff photographer. I didn’t know that Mike was retiring. It was just about being in the right place at the right time.

Most players aren’t very shy – any guys you liked working with most?

Few are shy yeah! Some like Troy were special to be around. Incredible to photograph for what they do on the field but also very kind to me. Guys like that stand out. Guys that do amazing things on the field but that are also wonderful to be around.

Troy was also a jokester too. Small things – once he filled a guy’s helmet up with ice.

JuJu is fun to work with too on the current team.

Any of the photo shoots you’ve done stand out most as being fun for you?

I think the one that stands out most to me is the idea I had to shoot the Hall of Fame guys in their gold jackets. We had never done that before. I wanted to present the idea and one day I happened to see Joe Greene in the facility. I walked up to him and told him what I was thinking about and I don’t think he had any idea what I was talking about. I talked to hm more about it and asked if he could bring his grandson to be part of the shoot. He obliged – and I got some good photos of him. That was fun I think for me because it was something I initiated.

After that I moved on to other Hall of Fame players. John Stallworth and Lynn Swann were some of the most fun to work with next.

The network shots we do for each player – we do those for the networks to use in their television broadcasts. Those are hard because you have every guy walking in and out and you have to do it over 10 minutes.

Any of the current guys besides JuJu fun to work with?

Eric Ebron – you can just tell he’s just so happy to be here. He’s happy and he shows it – he brings a lot of energy on the set.

What have been the more difficult shots you’ve taken?

Definitely after losses – those are difficult to photograph. From an editorial standpoint there are just some pictures we don’t want to show. Those are the hardest things to cover. We’re so invested as a photographer in the team – you have to be biased while you’re shooting – to cover the team – but you want to cover both sides as well – to tell the whole story.

When you’re emotionally invested in the team, it can be hard to cover.

Any other moments stand out to you?

When I interned I got to help shoot Super Bowl XL. That was an incredible moment – being so young and watching the team win it. That was very memorable.

Outside of that, I think the most memorable was Antonio Brown’s Immaculate Extension versus the Ravens. I was able to be at the right spot to take a great shot of that.

What’s your dream for the next step in your career there with the Steelers?

Each year we expand what we try to photograph and the equipment we want to use.

One thing we are planning for is on-location shots. Those should be fun and we really don’t do those now. We’re so used to talking pictures of guys on the field or in the studio at the facility, We want to bring them into the city and capture images of them throughout the city.

How are the coaches, including Mike Tomlin, to work wth?

They are great to work with. Tomlin is incredible – I’ve worked with him now for a long time. I try to stay out of his way – I think if he doesn’t notice me that’s the best thing. He’s been kind enough to grant me access to basically anywhere I want to go.

I typically have access to anywhere, except due to Covid restrictions – then I don’t have access to the locker rooms. But I do get access to areas on the field that other people now don’t get access to due to Covid restrictions.

So, what’s your dream shot?

Hopefully this year we make it to the Super Bowl. I wasn’t there at Super Bowl XLIII for the Santonio Holmes catch. I wasn’t with the team that year. I’d love to capture the most important play in Steelers history – a shot like that one. That’s what I’m looking for – I just have to be sure I’m at the right place at the right time!

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