Executive Bio

Tracy Montarti is an award-winning photographer, educator and the founder and creative force behind Villa Montarti, a boutique portrait studio that creates custom portrait experiences for dynamic midlife women and the people they love. With a background in museum curation and anthropology, Tracy brings a unique perspective to the world of portrait photography, believing that we are all stewards of the collections of photos and stories handed to us, where, in the words of Walt Whitman, we "may contribute a verse."

A California native, she spent two years in Poland with the Peace Corps during the 90s before moving to Pittsburgh for graduate school, where she received fellowships at Duquesne and CMU. She met her husband during her studies and made Pittsburgh her home.

As a long-time family portrait photographer and a woman over 50, Tracy is dedicated to empowering midlife women and helping them create lasting legacies. Her 50over50 Project photographing 50 women over 50 years old has found an enthusiastic audience and created a community of dynamic women who are excited about embarking on their second act. Her unique approach to portrait photography and her commitment to providing high-quality artwork and end-to-end service has made Villa Montarti a sought-after portrait studio for women and families across the Pittsburgh region.

Over the last 25 years she has been featured in the Pittsburgh Business Times, Tribune Review, Post Gazette, Upper St. Clair Today Magazine, South Hills Almanac, BPTV, WPXI, and elsewhere for her various work in the nonprofit arena, community development, board involvement, and her portrait photography.

MEDIA LIST

2022 - Littsburgh - “Twenty Won Authors to Speak at First Annual WBN Conference and Gala!”

Tracy Montarti mentioned in relation to her work as President of WBN, Inc. which hosted the Womens Business Conference.

2021 - BPTV - Empowering You hosted by Denise Galloni

Tracy Montarti and Jackie Capatolla discussing their 2021 Becoming Unstoppable Event: A collaboration between Villa Montarti’s 50over50 Project and Jackie’s 360 Confidence Inside/Out Program.

2020 - South Hills Almanac - “South Hills Member Receives Women’s Business Network Service Award”

Tracy Montarti receives Service Award from Women’s Business Network, Inc. She served four years on the board including two years as President.

2011 - Upper St. Clair Today - “Daffodil Daze at Gilfillan” (p14)

For several years Tracy was the exclusive photographer at Gilfillan Farm in Upper St. Clair and conducted mini portrait sessions in the daffodil field each spring as a fundraiser for the Upper St. Clair Historical Society.

2006 - Allegheny Land Trust - “Regional Mall Invites Sustainability Assessment” (p6)

In her capacity as owner of In the Loop, Inc. Tracy assisted the Robinson Mall with a sustainability assessment.

2004 - Pittsburgh Post Gazette - “Young Preservationists take history into the future”

Tracy was a founding board member and eventually an advisory board member of the Young Preservationists Association.

2003 - Pittsburgh Business Times - “Startup aims to keep businesses In the Loop regarding environment”

Building on her work in the environmental nonprofit arena, Tracy launched a company called In the Loop, Inc. which helped businesses “go green” and network. Republished in Peace Corps Online.

2003 - Tribune Review - “Green Growth”

Building on her work in the environmental nonprofit arena, Tracy launched a company called In the Loop, Inc. which helped businesses “go green” and network.

2003 - University of Pittsburgh Public Health Publication - “Department of Epidemiology Hosts PCOS Symposium” (p23)

As President of the local chapter of the Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome Association (PCOSA), Tracy worked with the University of Pittsburgh to host a symposium to help educate doctors and lay people who may be affected by PCOS about the what PCOS is and the latest research.

2002 - Tribune Review - “May Women Battle Little Known Disease”

Earlier article discussing the Symposium Tracy worked with Pitt’s Epidemiology Department to host. This feature was around the same time as a WPXI interview with Maria Guzman about the same topic. (link not available).

2002 - Sustainable Pittsburgh’s Southwest PA Regional Indicators Report (p74)

Tracy was a reviewer and contributor for Sustainable Pittsburgh’s Southwest PA Regional Indicators Project, due to her involvement with various environmental nonprofits and owning In the Loop, Inc. as well as having published research re: sustainability indicators in Economic Development Commentary with Dr. Richard Florida of the Heinz School at Carnegie Mellon University.

2000 - Pittsburgh Post Gazette - “Recycling Effort Aims at Suburban Pupils” p1, p2

Tracy was the manager of a Buy Recycled Program and worked with the City of Pittsburgh, Allegheny County and the Pittsburgh Public School District to shift their purchasing towards more sustainable, environmentally friendly products.

1999 - Economic Development Commentary (Academic Journal) - “Bridging the Gap”

Published research regarding sustainability indicators Tracy conducted with Dr. Richard Florida of the Heinz School at Carnegie Mellon University.

What people are saying.

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  • “Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.”

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  • “Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.”

    — Quote Source