Concord is home to many extraordinary artists. In this ongoing column, we highlight two of those artists and celebrate the many organizations dedicated to uplifting the arts through education, advocacy, and exhibition.
©Chiha PortraitsPIERRE CHIHA
For Pierre Chiha, photography is more than a profession—it’s a lifelong pursuit of connection and storytelling. Pierre was given his first camera at the age of 13 and has devoted his career to mastering the fine art of portraiture. An instructor once told Pierre, “A picture is of somebody, but a portrait is about somebody,” and Pierre has never forgotten that important distinction.
“A portrait photographer is an observer,” says Pierre. “They must rely on observation and intuition to capture that fleeting moment when the essence of the sitter comes through.”
Pierre draws inspiration from Johannes Vermeer’s mastery of light and Yousuf Karsh’s iconic ability to uncover the soul of his subjects. “True portraiture is fine art,” Pierre reflects. “It moves beyond being just a picture and becomes something that stirs emotion, like music or dance.”
For Pierre, every portrait is a collaboration—a melding of technical mastery and personal connection. The experience is about more than just the final image; it’s about creating something timeless that reflects the unique spirit of the individual.
©Chiha PortraitsGABY CHIHA
Like her father, Gaby Chiha discovered her love of photography at a young age when she enrolled in a darkroom class at The Fenn School summer camp when she was 12. She continued taking classes in photography throughout her teen years and minored in the subject in college. While her interest in photography is a natural offshoot of having a parent in the field, Gaby asks, “Is it nature or nurture? I discovered a natural passion and talent for photography that is part of who I am.”
Gaby’s approach to portraiture is intentional and deeply thoughtful. She pays close attention to every detail—background, lighting, composition—all carefully orchestrated to reflect the personality of her subject. Her goal is to uncover the authenticity and emotion that make each individual unique. “A great portrait reveals something true about a person,” she says. “It’s about showing them in a way that they haven’t seen themselves, with genuine beauty and depth.”
Gaby is also drawn to street scenes and landscape photography, but even here, people are a vital part of the image, providing a human connection to an ephemeral moment.
Both artists can be found at The Umbrella Arts Center and online at Pierre.com.
