Statement: My fine art photography explores the themes of memory, time, decay, and emotion, often evoking a haunting, dreamlike quality. My work blends surrealism with historical references, capturing fragmented moments that feel both timeless and undefined. While many of my images are set in natural landscapes, such as trees and misty roads, I also embrace a distinctly conceptual approach, creating incongruent moments that challenge the viewer’s perception. Through careful planning, I use props, locations, and digital composites to create layered, atmospheric images. Historic buildings, crumbling barns, and antique items like typewriters and suitcases add to the narrative, enhancing the sense of a forgotten past.
Although the works may evoke eeriness, they also subtly address themes of woman empowerment, conveyed through the stoic expressions of my models and the symbolic use of ravens and crows, representing strength, dignity, and resilience. The influence of surrealist photographers like Brassaï, Man Ray, and Diane Arbus can be seen in my experimentation with techniques like double exposure and vintage prints. My love for history also informs my creative process, as I co-founded History Attic Research to uncover the stories of historic homes, which I also capture in my photography.
Biography: Award-winning photographer Linda McManus is equally at home in the worlds of commercial and fine art photography. With a Bachelor’s in Fine Arts, specializing in black-and-white photography, she has spent over 20 years honing her skills in architectural and interior photography, working with builders, architects, and interior designers. “Having a camera in my hand every day has kept my eye sharp and my creativity fluid,” says McManus. “Commercial work has supported me, but creating fine art will always be my passion.”
McManus is deeply drawn to surrealism and haunting imagery, with a particular fascination for the past. “I’ve always been drawn to old things—houses, trees, and even ‘old people.’ My father, born in 1912, brought a sense of history into our home, surrounded by big band music, antiques, old movies, and recipes passed down through generations. My dad was a painter and woodworker, and perhaps I inherited his artistic gene.”
Her creative process often begins with concepts rather than specific scenes. “I keep a journal filled with notes and ideas. One page has the words ‘paper,’ ‘flying,’ ‘typewriter,’ and ‘black dress.’ The final image is my interpretation of those words.”
In addition to her photography, Linda is the co-owner of History Attic Research with her sister, where they research the lineage of historic homes in southeastern Pennsylvania. This work, which uncovers the rich histories of these buildings using newspapers, genealogy, maps, and interviews, has further influenced McManus’s photography, lending her images a historic yet timeless quality.
100 words: Photographer Linda McManus is equally at home in the worlds of commercial and fine art photography. Her commercial work specializes in architectural and interior work for over 20 years. She holds a BFA and is drawn to surrealism and haunting imagery. Her creative process is largely conceptual, often starting with ideas and evolving into visual narratives. McManus is also the co-owner of History Attic Research, where she and her sister trace the lineage of historic homes in southeastern Pennsylvania, further fueling her fascination with the past. This work uncovers rich histories, influencing her photography and lending her images a timeless, evocative quality.
No Fret is part of a larger collection titled Incongruent. The inspiration for this series draws from various influences, especially my historic home research business, History Attic Research, which I co-own with my sister. Through uncovering old documents, letters, and photographs, we reveal the rich and often forgotten stories of historic homes and their inhabitants. Incongruent is a highly conceptual collection, far from a traditional, textbook history lesson. It leans more into a haunting, dystopian fantasy. Using props, locations, costumes, and digital enhancements, the work brings to life a world shaped by displacement, travel, and the continuous and endless struggle for women’s empowerment.
