Based in Albany, NY, Denise Pensky is a street and portrait photographer driven by a desire to capture the essence, emotion, and rhythm of the places and people she encounters. With a camera in hand, she sees the world differently — pausing to notice details and fleeting moments that might otherwise go unnoticed.

Inspired by Elliott Erwitt’s ability to blend humor and poignancy in everyday scenes, Denise seeks natural light and the spontaneous magic of real life, whether in her hometown, on the streets of NYC, or traveling to new destinations. More than just an artistic tool, her camera is a means of storytelling — documenting the people she meets and the worlds she steps into along an ever-evolving photographic journey.

Denise’s work has earned recognition internationally. She has received honorable mentions from the Paris International Street Photographers (2025), has been featured in Nat Geo Germany (2023), and has exhibited with PhotoPlace Gallery (2023, 2025) and Women Street Photographers in India and online (2022, 2023). She has also created several publications, most recently a nail in his shoe, an identity project exploring her father’s mental health struggles following World War II.

A dedicated Pro Member of The Raw Society, Denise is also affiliated with Women Street Photographers and the National Press Photographers Association, among others. Passionate about continuous learning and artistic growth, she regularly engages in workshops and mentors with respected professionals in the field.