‘Picture This’ Presents Real People

Independent of the now commonplace practice of AI placing real and computer-generated people in photographs, websites and magazines regularly publish staged, stock photography images that show people (routinely paid actors and models) engaging in commonplace activities such as walking in a park, talking on the phone or going to the doctor. 

Seeking to provide a reality check in contrast to both fake imagery and often negatively stereotypical depictions of older adults, Age-Friendly Greater Pittsburgh commissioned local photographers to take pictures of local residents going about their day in local places as well as interacting with friends, family and colleagues of different ages.

“In a time of widespread and often unwanted ‘AI-fication’ of the arts and our everyday lives, these photographs offer the alternative of real people, in real life, captured by real, local artists,” says Cassandra Masters, interim executive director of Age-Friendly Greater Pittsburgh, about the Picture This age-friendly inclusion campaign, which was implemented with support from the Henry L. Hillman Foundation. “By showcasing photos and real-life stories of vibrant intergenerational connections, the campaign illustrates their capacity to combat isolation and build a stronger, more connected age-friendly region.”

In 2025, the resulting images were displayed in storefront installations across a four-county region and in an exhibition at the August Wilson African American Cultural Center. The collection of 150 photographs is housed in the Age-Friendly Photo Bank, which Age-Friendly Greater Pittsburgh, an initiative of the Southwestern Pennsylvania Partnership for Aging and University of Pittsburgh School of Social Work, is providing as a service for community organizations in need of images for flyers, presentations, reports and other non-commercial, non-political communications needs. (See the terms of use guidelines.) 

Although the photo bank images can be used by individuals and groups beyond Pittsburgh (and within the first year has been a source of imagery for efforts in more than 20 states and three countries), the project can be replicated by other communities. In fact, the Pittsburgh exhibition and photo bank was inspired by the Age-Positive Image Library created in 2023 by the United Kingdom-based Centre for Ageing Better. 

Daniel HJ (with Christina and Bill) 

“Photos like this remind us that communities become stronger when we intentionally create opportunities for intergenerational connections. They help break down stereotypes, reduce social isolation, and simply allow people to enjoy each other's company,” says Daniel HJ (in the orange coat). 

“As someone working in academia, I spend much of my time on a university campus, where opportunities to build meaningful relationships with older adults are relatively limited. Participating in the photo-taking gave me a chance to step outside of that environment and engage with people I might not otherwise have met. 

“On a personal note, I also wanted to represent Pittsburgh's Asian community. The city has a growing and vibrant Asian population, and I think it's important that people from all backgrounds can see themselves reflected in the stories and images that represent our community. The images we see on websites, in newsletters and other media shape how we imagine our communities. When people see older and younger adults, individuals from different racial and cultural backgrounds, and people with different life experiences enjoying time together, it reinforces the idea that these connections are both possible and valuable.”

Laureese (with her grandson Brian)

“My family is known for having Pittsburgh Steelers parties. We get together and have all the family, including the grandchildren and great-grandchildren. We’d go to my parents' home,” says Laureese, known as LaLa, who was raised in McKeesport, a Pittsburgh suburb. “My mother is no longer here with us in the physical, but that was something very intentional for her to make sure that we spent time together as a family around good food, conversation, and catching up on what's going on in each other's lives. 

“The community knew they could go over to the house because there were always people there watching the game. People would just pop in, and they were always welcome. It was just a fun, welcoming place, full of love and family. My mom was nonjudgmental. She would cook. She would share. Her legacy lives on through those she touched.”

Lenore

“A nice young couple lives at the end of the street and the three of us decided to play pickleball in the nearby park. In the photo, I just returned a shot. I learned about the game in 2022 through a church I was going to, and I fell in love with it. My understanding was you just went out there and you just hit the ball as hard as you could, and it was just fun, and it was socializing and a way to get some good exercise.

“I was in horrific shape at the time. I had to retire [as a Port Authority bus driver] at age 52 because my body was so broken down. I was close to 200 pounds. Before I had my two hips done, I was walking with two canes. I had multiple other surgeries, all in less than seven years. So, when I came to this, it was a brand-new lease on life. It's been amazing. I had been very isolated. I didn't feel comfortable with my body. I now have all kind of new friends and new activities. I even play pickleball doubles with the 18-year-old grandson of our pickleball coach, who teaches the game and puts local teams together."

Lenore credits her faith with pulling her through her journey, but believes pickleball played a part as well. 

Germaine

"The photo was taken in Clairton Park under the main pavilion where I was facilitating free yoga for the community. We were coming in or out of the mountain pose.

"I have been offering free yoga to the community of Clairton, a small city outside of Pittsburgh, since 2019. Clairton is a community that faces environmental injustices and social determinants of health challenges. Beyond these challenges I see resilience and people who seek and are taking actions for growth and change."

Bob and Loru

“The photo was taken while we were on our way to work,” the couple explained by email. “We are employed as guest service representatives for Pittsburgh Steelers Sports Inc., and we use the PRT (Pittsburgh Regional Transit) rail service to travel between home and our part-time jobs at Acrisure Stadium, which many people still think of as Heinz Field. "

Loru is a native Pittsburgher, while Bob is from California. After living in California for 18 years (17 too many for Loru!), she was ready to head back home to the "Burgh"... the city she loves! It had already felt like home to Bob, too, as they had visited many times and he had already embraced everything Pittsburgh has to offer. 

"Why wouldn't we agree to participate in the Faces of Pittsburgh project? It made total sense, as Pittsburgh is truly a wonderful place to live for people of all ages, backgrounds and walks of life. It’s a very special, vibrant city that is welcoming to young, old and everyone in between. We are very proud to call it our home!"

Just One More

In 2025, photographs from the Picture This campaign were installed in (1) street-level windows in the Pittsburgh neighborhoods of McKeesport, Beechview (pictured) and Sharpsburg. The installations were celebrated with age-friendly block parties. (2) The term “nebby,” which typically refers to someone being nosy and overly inquisitive, is a common slang used in Pittsburgh. In the Picture This context, the organizers spun the word as a positive, using it as a way to learn about and connect with neighbors. Visitors to the museum exhibition were encouraged to pick up bright blue, retro-style “Get Nebby!” telephones and listen to audio recordings of resident stories (3) and jot down a neighborly story of their own.