I miss shooting with film, and have always been a Canon girl, significant to my style of candid, natural light photography. I photograph everything from children and families, personal and professional head shots, travel, lifestyle and also work with commercial clients photographing real models, products, food and spaces for annual reports, packaging, advertising and other forms of marketing and promotion. I currently am the Contributing Photographer for Evanston Living Magazine.
I work with Creative Co-working in Evanston, using the beautiful natural light space in the front lounge with great outdoor spots nearby. I served on the board of the Evanston Chamber of Commerce, have chaired of The Evanston Arts Council and work for Northwestern University as Associate Director for Student Affairs Marketing, doing photography, working with students and web design work. I live in Edgewater with my husband, the author, Jay Bonansinga. I always keep shooting for myself and exhibit that work whenever I can and finding the many amazing images in everyday life.
I still am letting it all sink in and appreciating every moment.
Most memories of my childhood were visual. I was always just watching everything and everyone and quietly letting it all sink in. I grew up in Cincinnati, Ohio, and loved being outside, loved dancing and listening to my parents’ albums and loved reading and looking at photos in books & magazines. My bedroom walls from high school through college were covered with covers of Interview Magazine, GQ, Elle and Vogue. (as well as Madonna and Duran Duran admittedly)
After graduating from Miami of Ohio with a degree in Retail Management and a minor in Photography, I moved to Chicago and eventually broke into photography working with fashion photographer, John Beckett, soaking in all I could about the studio, the cameras, the shoots, but mostly how to make the models feel so at ease in front of the camera.
I became a photo editor for 2 national magazines, both in print and web, and enjoyed learning about the other side of the photography business. In 1997 I finally got back behind the camera and photographed an amazing trip to Italy. When I returned, I exhibited my Italy images and that was the start of my business. I soon found a niche for working with children and developed a style that stood apart from the typical studio portraits. I photographed them just being themselves and enjoying being kids.
After graduating from Miami of Ohio with a degree in Retail Management and a minor in Photography, I moved to Chicago and eventually broke into photography working with fashion photographer, John Beckett, soaking in all I could about the studio, the cameras, the shoots, but mostly how to make the models feel so at ease in front of the camera.
I became a photo editor for 2 national magazines, both in print and web, and enjoyed learning about the other side of the photography business. In 1997 I finally got back behind the camera and photographed an amazing trip to Italy. When I returned, I exhibited my Italy images and that was the start of my business. I soon found a niche for working with children and developed a style that stood apart from the typical studio portraits. I photographed them just being themselves and enjoying being kids.
biography.
biography.