Colorful & Creative Portraits in Chicago | Liz’s Whimsical Studio Session

When Liz reached out from Nashville with the words “Tilda Swinton meets Peter Pan” in her inquiry, I knew this shoot was going to be something special. She was visiting Chicago for the very first time and wanted to fully embrace this season of her life — with a photo session that blended a fresh, non-traditional work headshot and creative portraits just for fun and memories.

From the start, Liz’s energy was whimsical, and completely open to experimenting. We played with vibrant color blocking, mixing a soft pink backdrop with bold pops of red, crisp white, and playful textures.

As part of her vision, Liz asked for a few behind-the-scenes style shots to keep that candid, “in the moment” feel. I made sure to capture both the raw, unpolished frames she loved and polished, fully edited versions — because I’m all about giving clients options.

This session was the perfect example of why I love non-traditional headshots: they’re professional enough for work yet still feel fresh, artistic, and completely personal. Liz now has portraits that celebrate her individuality, commemorate her first trip to Chicago, and reflect exactly who she is

If you’ve been thinking about your own creative portrait session, whether you’re visiting Chicago or call it home — my studio is the perfect place to experiment, have fun, and leave with portraits that feel just like you. See session details and booking info here!