Biography
Jessica Steigerwald Toro combines art and journalism, employing artistic and design abilities coupled with a sense of place and time, to compose arrestingly honest images. Her talent for astute observation and understanding of subjects enables clients and viewers to gain insight otherwise undetected. Truth and raw emotion are presented through an artist's eye for the news and documentary markets.
Jessica Steigerwald Toro has a keen knowledge of both the theoretical facets and the everyday practicalities of photojournalism. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Photojournalism and a Master of Arts in Media and International Conflict. After studying photography and art history at Slippery Rock University in Pennsylvania for two years, Jessica transferred to Point Park University in Pittsburgh, PA where she completed her B.A. in 2008, graduating with honors.
At Point Park University, Jessica was a staff photographer, staff writer and photo editor for the school's weekly newspaper, The Globe. She also contributed photographs to Point Park's online news service and magazines, The Pioneer, The Cavalcade, and Justice. Jessica was an active member and president of Point Park's student chapter of the National Press Photographers Association (NPPA) and is still a current NPPA member.
Jessica worked as a black-and-white and color darkroom technician during her time at Point Park University. In addition, she worked as an associate wedding photographer with Paul Meyer Photography for three years.
Jessica continued her education at University College Dublin in Ireland, graduating with honors in 2011. Her M.A. was earned at UCD's Clinton Institute for American Studies where, in addition to her coursework, she regularly attended guest lectures, conferences and events, including a three-day conference and workshop, "Medium & Message: Conflict Photography in the Digital Era." Jessica contributed two blog posts to "Outpost: Irish American Relations" and completed a number of academic papers on photography and journalism, including her master's thesis titled "Shooting Black and White: Culture, Race and Identity in Photojournalism."
Jessica currently resides in Pittsburgh with her husband Matthew.