Top 7 Fine Art Photographers in Providence, RI

Fine art photography is hard to define, encapsulating studio newborn shoots, gritty street imagery and whimsical shots of our natural world. It’s about bringing the creative and artistic visions of the photographer onto the page for others to appreciate.

Rhode Island offers plenty of inspiration for fine art photographers, with several choosing to call Providence “home”. Read on to learn about 7 whose work has caught our attention, with everything from couples in love to landscapes serving as their inspiration.

Melissa Stimpson Photography

Melissa Stimpson describes herself as a “lover of luminous light, joyful elegance, and images with feeling” and her fine art photography portfolio certainly reflects that. She turned professional in 2010 after graduating from the Hallmark Institute of Photography and now lives in the small town of Wilbraham, just a short drive from Providence.

Melissa works alongside her sister to capture love stories throughout New England in a style that has been described as “timeless, bold, deeply romantic with the perfect balance of honest wonder.” In addition to fine art wedding photography (with her work featured in “Style Me Pretty,” “The Knot,” and “Carats & Cake”), Melissa is highly experienced in editorial and commercial photography.

Stewart Martin Photography

It was in elementary school that Stewart Martin had his first taste of photography behind the lens of a Kodak World’s Fair Brownie camera. Fast forward to his bar mitzvah and he was gifted his first set of developing equipment and his passion for photography was cemented in stone.

Stewart attended the School of Visual Arts in New York and worked at several labs in the city before making the move to Providence where he teaches printing at the AS220 arts collection and runs a printing business.

When he’s not taking on event and portrait photography assignments, Stewart is busy working in his vegetable garden and judging at competitive barbecue events.

Stacy Smith Studios

Stacy Smith says that her passion for photography is directly related to her passion for life as the camera gives her the ability to capture snapshots and stories to be told. Her motto and mindset are “make it count,” with a free-spirited nature and wild heartedness that translates through her work.

It was traveling that first inspired Stacy to pursue her dreams of becoming a photographer, with many of these images showcased in her fine art collection. Her work can be purchased as custom framed prints, canvases, or metal prints to adorn the walls of your home and office.

Stephan Brigidi

Born and raised in Providence, Stephan Brigidi is a widely published photographer whose work has been exhibited throughout the United States and Europe.

He studied at the Rhode Island School of Design with Harry Callahan and Aaron Siskind before receiving a Fulbright-Hays Fellowship to study in Italy. Since that time, he has published several books, including “Angels of Pompeii” in collaboration with the poet, Robert Bly, and “Afraid of the Dark: A Venetian Story.”

Aside from being a highly talented fine art photographer, Stephan has taught painting and aesthetics at the University of Hawaii, Rhode Island College, and the Rhode Island School of Design.

Kimberly Tetrault Photography

Kimberly Tetrault is a Warwick-based fine art photographer who specializes in newborn, baby, child, and family photography. She works with clients throughout Rhode Island and the surrounding areas of Massachusetts to create gorgeous artworks that are sure to enjoy pride of place in the family home.

Complimentary custom wall art design is included with each session, which means you can bring your visions to life, with the help of Kimberly’s expertise. Recently, Kimberly has also added Fresh 48 newborn sessions to her list of services for parents wanting to document those first moments of life.

Alexander Nesbitt Photography

Alexander Nesbitt is a Newport-based photographer who shoots adventurous travel, commercial, editorial, and fine art images. Since 1998, he has operated a fine art print gallery, studio, and stock image library in Rhode Island and has garnered a reputation for his impressive collection of fine art prints taken around the world.

After graduating with a B.F.A. in Sculpture from the Pratt Institute, Alexander made a pivot towards photography and launched his professional career back in 1997. Over the years, he has had his work featured in hundreds of publications and has collaborated with countless corporate and editorial clients.

Cate Brown Photography

Cate Brown dedicates her career to ocean-inspired fine art images and commercial photography focused on water sports such as surfing, sailing, and swimming. Her motto is “Exploring life outdoors and by the sea” and we absolutely love the results.

In addition to images of individuals reveling in the natural environment, she captures dreamy shots of the ocean in gorgeous light. Cate says that she hopes her photography “not only invokes the smell of salt air, the sound of ocean water and sensations of salt spray but also an appreciation and respect for our oceans.”

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