“I’m here to show you what’s special about yourself, your relationships, and your community.”

— Yours truly, Erin Ninehouser, the wife, cat Mom (x4), Springsteen fan, advocate, and goofball behind Rustbelt Mayberry

how a camera found its way into my hands…

Documentary photography has had my heart from the moment I picked up a camera in high school more than two decades ago.

Searching for a way to understand the world around me - the grief, the joy, the stillness, the chaos - was so much easier through the viewfinder of my little camera.

At first, I photographed scenes in my hometown of New Castle, PA, places and moments that were full of emotion, almost longing to be seen.

And then I worked up the courage to begin photographing people - my parents, grandparents, friends, pets, and future husband:

  • 86-year old grandpa, Poppy, blows out his birthday candles at a restaurant in New Castle, PA.
  • Calico kitten stretches from her temporary living box on a porch in Ambridge. She's been a happy indoor house cat since 2012.
  • Man sits on Liberty Avenue with mother-in-law in yellow "Get Busy, Get Equal" shirts from the ACLU during Pittsburgh Pride. Two jubilant dogs sit between them wearing ACLU liberty crowns.
  • Man holds tiny orange kitten that just joined the family after being discovered outside.
  • Husband and wife smile from the cheap seats at PNC Park during a Pittsburgh Pirates home game.
  • Man smiles as he hoists a giant pumpkin from a cart full of them.
  • Mom sings with her elderly Dad in a nursing home in New Castle, PA.
  • Calico cat mews at her human Dad through the first-floor bathroom window on a sunny day in Ambridge, PA.
  • Man walks out to his car for a dinner with his wife and in-laws in New Castle, PA.

Not a single one of these old photos is technically perfect,

but they are absolute treasures that become more valuable with each passing year.

They connect me to those precious people and the experiences we share, even after some of them have passed away. This is why capturing your memories is so urgently important to me.

Woman in her fifties sits beside her dad, in his eighties, and pretend like they're fishing at a nursing home in New Castle, PA.

My Grandpa, Poppy, loved to go fishing with Mom, Charlene. They’re reunited once again.

  • A woman in a yellow shirt that says "Black Lives Matter" prays during a vigil in Beaver, PA.
  • A pastor leads a large group of volunteers at First Presbyterian Church in Beaver, PA in prayer before they work to pack meals for the hungry.
  • Student at Aliquippa Impact after school program smiles at his instructor during a class learning podcasting in Aliquippa, PA.
  • Neighbors in Beaver Falls, PA take a moment to write messages of condolences and hope on a public art display along 7th Avenue mourning lives lost during the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • A poet performs a powerful piece of spoken word art during at Uncommon Grounds in Aliquippa, PA.
  • A young boy dances during a free concert at Uncommon Grounds in Aliquippa, PA.
  • A high school age girl shares a monologue during a play highlighting the experience of Beaver Countians at Beaver Station Cultural and Events Center in Beaver, PA.
  • Members of Undivided in Christ, an interdenominational network of Christians working for racial justice in Beaver County share a lighthearted moment during a presentation on diversity in the church at the Community College of Beaver County in Monaca.
  • A teenage boy and an adult laugh and smile after having completed an obstacle race during the Beaver County Unity Games at the Community College of Beaver County in Monaca, PA.
  • A young girl learns about guitars from Billy the Kid, a blues musician from Aliquippa, PA.

Community & Non-Profit Storytelling

Photography has been a life-changing gift for me to receive, and one that I’m so grateful to be able to give to others, not just through weddings, but also in the storytelling work I do for non-profits and causes of justice, which is another lifelong passion.

A few of the organizations and causes I’ve partnered with:

visit beaver county

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heart & soul

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the genesis collective

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riverwise

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Ambridge connection

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aclu of pennsylvania

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undivided in christ beaver county

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Trinity School for Ministry

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The Cornerstone of Beaver County

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Beaver County Democratic Committee

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Beaver County Community and Law Enforcement Coalition

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Neighborhood North

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equip books

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Center for Latin American Studies at the University of Pittsburgh

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Avonworth Pool

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E2 Solar Projects

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Beaver County United

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coach Mycyk girls flag football

visit beaver county 〰️ heart & soul 〰️ the genesis collective 〰️ riverwise 〰️ Ambridge connection 〰️ aclu of pennsylvania 〰️ undivided in christ beaver county 〰️ Trinity School for Ministry 〰️ The Cornerstone of Beaver County 〰️ Beaver County Democratic Committee 〰️ Beaver County Community and Law Enforcement Coalition 〰️ Neighborhood North 〰️ equip books 〰️ Center for Latin American Studies at the University of Pittsburgh 〰️ Avonworth Pool 〰️ E2 Solar Projects 〰️ Beaver County United 〰️ coach Mycyk girls flag football

I believe each of us has the power to make the road a little easier for those who walk alongside us, and those who will come after us.

Part of that mission for me means helping people discover how rich their lives already are through the beautiful relationships they’ve nurtured and the impact they’ve had on the world around them.

That’s my heart, which belongs to my husband Dave and our four cat children: Frankie (seen here), Beans, Callie, and Sergeant Squeaks.

Man holds white and caramel colored cat in front of his face.
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professional photog since 2016

I’ve been making portraits, photographing weddings, and covering events for 6+ years.

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diversity of experience

I’ve photographed hundreds of events: large, small, indoors, outside, in any/all conditions!

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trusted by other professionals

I am in-demand to “second shoot” for wedding photogs who want a great partner.

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big investments = best work

I invest a ton of time and money in education in the art and business of photography to give my clients the very best experience and images.

Photographer Erin Ninehouser of Rustbelt Mayberry smiles for a photo with one of her favorite wedding couples after an epic celebration at The Fez in Aliquippa, PA.

time to focus on my couples

I limit the number of weddings I photograph each month to make sure I give my couples 1000% of my focus, presence and energy.

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Recognized for artistry

I was honored as an “Emerging Artist” at the Three Rivers Arts Festival in Pittsburgh, PA, and regularly contribute work to print and online publications.