Category Archives: Chicago Photo Assignments

Cover shoot for SDM magazine

Apr
06
2018
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For much of my career I was essentially an editorial photographer, shooting several magazine assignments every week. But those days have come and gone–the publishing industry has considerably diminished–though my love of shooting for magazines has not wavered. At this point, I cherish every opportunity I get to work with editorial clients, the assignments are fun, creative, and often challenging. Earlier this year I shot a story for SDM magazine on Convergint Technologies, a leader in the home and corporate security industry.

Students in Valparaiso University lab

Feb
06
2018
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The recently-opened Center for the Sciences at Valparaiso University is a 55,800-square-foot, laboratory-intensive building that houses primarily wet laboratories for chemistry, biochemistry, and biology students. When it opened in fall of 2017, I was engaged to document the students and the new labs.

The Homestead Hotel in Evanston

Jun
22
2017
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Nestled on a quiet leafy street in suburban Evanston, The Homestead is boutique hotel with a European ambiance, but the staff speaks English. I had the privilege of photographing the hotel earlier in the week and tried to capture the warmth and intimacy of the property. I could imagine spending a long peaceful morning on the veranda with coffee, pastries and the quiet hum of birds chirping.

The “Grand Tour” Rolls Through Chicago

May
23
2017
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Wine Spectator magazine’s much-loved Grand Tour hit Chicago last week and attendees were able to taste 244 of the world’s best wines. Under the glittering dome of Navy Pier’s Grand Ballroom, the finest vintages from France, Italy, California, Australia and other wine locales were there for the sipping. If you don’t know your Le Clarence de Haut-Brion from your La Carte de Haut-Brion, this was your opportunity to taste them both and finally decide which goes better with your favorite rack of lamb recipe. 

Video Display at Northwestern Univ.

Mar
31
2017
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Photo assignment at the new Segal Visitors Center at Northwestern University in Evanston IL. The two expansive video displays were created by Planar and are valuable tools in making students and visitors aware of the university culture and events.

Chicago’s Victorian Heritage

Jan
26
2017
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Chicago is a virtual museum of Victorian-era structures.  Sure, an enormous number of buildings were destroyed in the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, but those were in the downtown and near north area. If you explore Old Town and parts of Lincoln Park today you will discover a treasure trove of Victorian houses and commercial buildings. This just adds to the reputation of Chicago as one of the world’s finest cities for architectural excellence.

Unofficial Cubs Museum

Oct
20
2016
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Hidden from view and unbeknownst to most Cubs fans is a virtual Hall of Fame/museum paying homage to the 100-plus years of Chicago Cubs baseball. Beneath the left and right field bleachers at historic Wrigley Field is a concourse with memorabilia honoring Cubs legends through the years. This subterranean gallery was installed just this past year, and while I was visiting the “Friendly Confines” I managed to photograph the installation. When the Cubs win the World Series in a few weeks, I hope the gallery will be open to the millions of fans clamoring to get “up close and personal” with the world’s favorite baseball team.

Chicago’s Big Dig

Dec
04
2015
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Meade has been involved in some of the largest utility-related projects in Chicago for the past 108 years. Clients depend on Meade for all types of design, construction, and maintenance of electrical power and natural gas distribution systems and telecommunications technologies. I spent three chilly days documenting the installation of a natural gas pipeline under the Kennedy Expressway. The massive equipment belied the level of precision needed for this project to be successful–the pipes had to meet up within millimeters under the expressway. Exacting work, and a fascinating photo shoot.

The Joys of Industrial Photography

May
11
2015
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It’s cold, it’s dirty, it’s loud, and it’s often dangerous.  No, I’m not talking about fighting in the Battle of the Bulge, rather I’m referring to doing industrial photography. To most people, factory floors are grey and boring and to be avoided whenever possible, but I find them to be a vibrant source of creative photography. The mix of complex machinery and workers engaged in a variety of activities get my creative juices flowing, and it’s such a refreshing change from the typical white-walled suburban corporate headquarters. I recently completed a series of assignments for Vapor Power, a manufacturer of industrial boilers; while my clothes and equipment always came back dirty, and I needed to be constantly alert to potentially dangerous situations, I thoroughly enjoyed the experience.

Physical Therapy Clinic

Dec
15
2014
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The University of Illinois Chicago and Rush Hospital recently combined forces and opened a state of the art physical therapy clinic.  With abundant space and several treatment rooms, they are much better able to accommodate their large and diverse patient base. I was hired to shoot images of the therapists working so large prints could be displayed around the clinic.