ABOUT
I’m a corporate communications and architectural photographer with a passion for capturing stories of people and places.
Based in Washington, DC and traveling as needed, I’ve built on a background in photojournalism to document placemaking in all its forms.
Placemaking + Urban Development
Architecture + Construction
Transit + Mobility
People at Work + at Play
Blending my storytelling, people, and architectural work, my focus is on collaborating with firms and organizations involved in urban and community development, such as developers, architectural/design firms, construction companies, and organizations that support neighborhood residential and business activity. By combining my experience photographing people and architecture, I create engaging storytelling images that amplify my clients' marketing messages.
In addition to traditional single-image photography, I specialize in creating multi-exposure composite photographs as part of my Coming & Going series—time-lapse inspired images that reveal how people move through and engage with public space in a single frame.
Clients are drawn to this approach for its ability to clearly illustrate active, well-designed and well-used environments—from public parks and civic or educational facilities to transportation hubs and key neighborhood intersections. These images convey not just what a place looks like, but how it functions and feels as real people utilize the space. For an example, see this LinkedIn post featuring an image I created on assignment for Union Station in Washington, DC. Many of the large-scale “big view” images on my website are produced using this technique.
My clients come from every corner of the built environment. Whether owners, developers, marketing departments, non-profits, or media outlets, I work closely to understand their goals and needs. From the first inquiry to image delivery, I work with you to understand the purpose of the project to capture the essential story being photographed and support your marketing messages via compelling, meaningful, and appealing imagery.
I'm experienced working in sensitive and high-profile environments, from active construction sites to school classrooms or locations with global executives and major media personalities. I recognize a great commercial photography experience is about service and product, and work closely with all the stakeholders to ensure an understanding of your goals and a successful outcome.
30 Minutes With Sam Kittner
Check my 2025 presentation to APA-DC where I speak about my about my lifelong journey in photography.
Beyond My Work
I enjoy living in Takoma Park, MD, a vibrant and walkable community that reminds me in ways of my small-town life growing up in North Carolina. My partner, Bobbi Kittner, is a talented graphic designer who now focuses on her fantastic art practice and manages our gallery store. Together, we are proud parents of our sons Max and Joe.
I’ve photographed people riding on bike lanes for urban transit projects for years. I recently purchased an e-bike and am enjoying taking long rides around the DC area now seeing familiar places from a new perspective.
As a lifelong UNC Tar Heels Basketball fan, one of my highlights was having a Poli-Sci class with Michael Jordan during our freshman year of college when Carolina won a National Championship. I would be thrilled to share the full story over a beer with you sometime.
Michael Jordan, 1985 after his rookie season in the NBA. I made this picture for venerable Chapel Hill, NC restaurant Time Out.
Yes, those are first generation Air Jordans!