The work of photographer Stephen Butler, pictured, will be on exhibit at Ford City Library until January 15. Butler is an Armstrong County native.
Stephen Butler, of Manorville, is a professional photographer who has recently returned to his roots in Armstrong County from Kansas City, where he was the photographer in residence at the American Jazz Museum, photographing artists such as Chick Corea, Christian McBride and Esperanza Spalding.
His work also includes portraits, weddings, senior pictures, sports and events. Butler is the son of Father Roger Butler, former rector of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Kittanning, and Jane Englert, a former teacher at Dayton High School and Kittanning Junior High School.
He has been a photographer for over 35 years, with early work on his Kittanning High School yearbook and professional photography in the last 10 years.
Butler has nearly 20 years of teaching experience in New York City and Kansas City, and eight years of acting experience on stage and in commercials. He brings skills in observation, interpretation and social interaction to his work, which he said he strives to make authentic.
“I look to uncover the beauty and personality, what I call the energy of my subjects who range from children to senior citizens. I enjoy helping the reluctant or self-critical to discover that being ‘photogenic’ has everything to do with the photographer.”
Butler’s work can be seen at Ford City Library, 1136 Fourth Ave., Ford City, where it will be on exhibit until Jan. 15. For online samples of his work, visit facebook.com/poeticimageryphotography, or his websites at www.poeticimagery.smugmug.com and www.poeticimagerykittanning.com.