A woman in a long black dress lying on the floor against a plain white background, looking at the camera.

timeless images without the stiff studio vibes.

a Chicago photographer working with models, creatives, entrepreneurs, and everyday people who want clean, natural-light portraits that actually feel like them.

i shoot out of my studio in Ravenswood, Chicago—just a few blocks from the Montrose brown line. whether you’re an actor needing fresh headshots, a model updating digitals, or just want some really good photos that feel like you—i got you.

Black and white portrait of a young person with short, curly hair, looking directly at the camera, with minimal makeup and a small earring in the left ear.

Portrait Sessions in Chicago

Black and white portrait of a young shirtless man with curly hair, looking directly at the camera, with a plain light background.
A woman with blonde hair styles the hair of another woman with blonde hair using a black round brush.

Sessions are relaxed, collaborative, and tailored to highlight what makes you stand out.

Clients come to me from all over the city (Lakeview, Logan Square, West Loop, and beyond) for clean, effortless images with a modern touch.

  • A black and white photo of a woman with curly hair, wearing a tank top and jeans, smiling and looking over her shoulder.

    Creative & Editorial Portraits

    Minimal, timeless portraits in soft natural light—perfect for birthdays, headshots, or just because.

    For models, artists, musicians, business owners, and everyday people.

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  • A shirtless young man wearing jeans and sneakers standing sideways with his right hand in his pocket and looking away.

    model digitals

    Simple, natural-light photos that meet agency standards—no fuss, just you.

    for signed & unsigned models.

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  • A woman with long, straight hair is getting her hair measured with a stick by another woman with wavy, shoulder-length hair, standing against a plain background.

    branding

    Polished, personality-driven images for creatives, entrepreneurs, and personal brands.

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more than portraits
Time for a Portfolio Refresh? Here’s Why It Matters (ft. Jerziah’s Latest Shoot)
Time for a Portfolio Refresh? Here’s Why It Matters (ft. Jerziah’s Latest Shoot)

If you’re a model in Chicago looking to refresh your portfolio with clean, elevated images that show your range—this is your sign. I recently worked with Jerziah at my natural light studio in Ravenswood, and we created three distinct looks that brought out completely different sides of her.

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Vibes on Logan – S6, Ep2
Vibes on Logan – S6, Ep2

Nearly 100 degrees didn’t stop the community from coming through for Vibes on Logan S6, Ep 2—cold drinks, good music, shade, and beautiful moments captured in the heat of the day.

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Creative Birthday Portraits with Grey
Creative Birthday Portraits with Grey

A dreamy birthday portrait session with tattoo artist @grey.tattoos, full of personality, playful poses, and sparkly post-editing touches. A perfect example of how creative portraits can be both fun and personal.

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The journal for everything in-between: personal shoots, creative play, and cozy stories that go beyond headshots and portraits.

A young woman with long blonde hair, wearing colorful eye makeup, a yellow sweater, and layered necklaces with a watch and a cross pendant.

For Photographers

My custom Lightroom presets are designed for clean, natural edits with soft highlights and dreamy tones. perfect for studio work and natural light sessions. Whether you're editing client portraits or creating your own look, these are the tones I reach for every time.

Based in Chicago il
studio in the ravenswood neighborhood

monyekaphoto@gmail.com

@chrissy.anne and the “leave me alone” ring tube 🛟🤭☀️
some clean shots for stunning actress @giulia.dechiara 🤍🎬