In 2012 I visited Pittsburgh for the first time. I found it to be hilly, cold, and exceptionally tough on the faltering fuel pump of my 1988 Chevy Nova.

It was a solid frozen February about to thaw into March, and, armed with my camera, my dog, my boyfriend at the time, and a wool trenchcoat, I proceeded to walk all over the city and figure out what it was that interested me.

Staircases like these are a requirement in Pittsburgh. The hills are so steep that coming back up this direction is actually a smart shortcut.

A pile of trash decorates a porch as we are reminded that we are, in fact, in Steelers country.

In any city I can never get enough of alleyways.

Pittsburgh has graffiti like any other city. Sometimes it carries a message.

One of my favorite parts about photographing cities is the buildings- the way they are decorated, their age, their quirks.

The Heinz Factory is, of course, an icon of the city.

As cities go it is not ugly at all. I anticipate many happy returns. <3