showcase chicago issue 899

Nov 2022

Benjamin Norton: Louisville - Chicago architecture photographers

After years spent working with an exhaustive list of high-profile photographers as a creative image retoucher, operator, and assistant, Benjamin Norton has been privileged to produce work for such diverse clients as Marks and Spencer, British Museum, Stanton Williams and The Royal Academy of Arts.

Ben strives to create strong and long lasting professional relationships, by listening to and delivering on his client's objectives. Using digital capture, Ben works directly with clients or remotely from a shoot location to effectively ensure their vision is fully realised and executed.

Recently he’s produced work for, amongst others, The Lava Centre and Earthquake , RBPW, Donhoff Kargl Nall and The Cincinnati Contemporary Art Center.

Benjamin Norton Photography is a member of The Association of Independent Architectural Photographers and is available to work internationally.

Barbara Wrigley McDevitt: Chicago food & drink photographers

Barbara Wrigley McDevitt is an award-winning Florida-based photographer with over a dozen years of experience behind the camera. She specialises in commercial and editorial food and beverage photography.

Over the years, Wrigley McDevitt has worked in a variety of different photographic disciplines allowing her to hone her talents, and since 2011 has focused her talent on food and beverage photography.

Equally comfortable shooting in-studio or on-location, she has a distinctive style that encompasses a broad range from clean and contemporary to dark and moody.

Wrigley McDevitt’s passion for storytelling and her ability to find artful arrangements utilising multiple camera angles allow her to maximize the interplay of subject, light, color and contrast in her images.

Wrigley McDevitt is available to shoot remotely in-studio or on location.

Fortis Photo: Chicago advertising photographers

Jeff Dahlgren is the vision behind Fortis Photo, a Chicago-based commercial studio specialising in food and beverage photography.

Jeff’s love for natural light and the changing of seasons, coupled with his ability for story telling have been key ingredients to his photography.

Some samples from his recent work showcase a richer lighting style that emphasises this shift into the fall season with shorter days and lower light.

Fortis Photo’s satisfied clients include Truly, Teys USA, Nuts on Clark and US Foods. They rely on Jeff’s team to capture their own brand’s vision and style in a fun and collaborative environment.

On shoot days, you can experience his urban yet comfortable studio space, built out of an old foundry, a block from the Chicago river. His 4,000 sq ft photography studio is well designed, houses an extensive prop collection and was renovated with shooting in mind.

Matthew Allen: Chicago Lifestyle, Kids and Corporate Photographers

Matthew Allen is an experienced and versatile photographer that combines speed, attention to detail, and creativity to accomplish the goals of the client.

Matthew's style is unique, approachable, and vibrant. Matthew has a knack for making the subject feel comfortable and natural in front of camera, bringing authentic emotions and expressions into his photography and video productions.

Matthew is an easy going, ego-free professional that is flexible and fun to work with.

Laura Crosta: New York Lifestyle and Portraiture Photographers

Laura Crosta celebrates first responders with Google.

"This past year I worked on one of my most meaningful jobs. Google asked me to create a digital library celebrating individuals who utilise their thought, strength, skill, and tenacity to help others in need. These individuals are not you average first responder. They have used their personal experiences of loss and triumph to make a difference in the world."

Laura Crosta is a lifestyle and portrait photographer specialising in the human experience. Her work takes her around the globe.

Laura’s imagery has elevated numerous brands including ADP, Eczema Exposed, ConEdison, Lyft, Paris Baguette, Microsoft, ESPN, Sony, Nike, Canon, Adidas, Toyota - to name a few.

Accolades include The International Color Awards, Exposure, Spider Award, PDN’s Photo Annual, Tuscon Film Festival, Nashville Film Festival, Vail Film Festival and The Los Angeles Reel Film Festival.

Kathy Plunkett: Omaha - Denver - Chicago people & lifestyle photographers

Kathy Plunkett is a commercial and editorial photographer living in the Midwestern United Sates. Surrounded by friendly faces, wide-open beautiful spaces, and very little red tape, she finds it to be the perfect place to work.

On set, Kathy has that boundless midwestern work ethic while always being adaptable, joyful, and collaborative. This playful-yet-professional approach creates narrative images that consistently exude spontaneous moments and authentic relationships. Whether she is shooting by herself or with a huge crew, the result makes the viewer feel like they are part of the story.

Kathy’s passion and precision behind the lens can be seen in the work she has created for clients in the lifestyle, portraiture, children, and corporate sectors throughout her region.  When not shooting professionally, she is continuously on another adventure with her daughter, Siena, shooting for fun.

Joe Pellegrini: Chicago Still Life and Food Photographers

Joe has been an industry leader in product and food & drink photography for more than 20 years. Also an accomplished painter, he has brought his artistic sensibilities to national campaigns for Coca-Cola, McDonald's, Kellogg's, Tyson and Ziploc and for the past 11 years has shot virtually all of Subway’s national and international print and outdoor ads as well as their in-store displays.  

Unflappable, Joe has made a career delivering memorable imagery with the utmost professionalism for products ranging from Scrubbing Bubbles to Jim Beam.  

Shoot days find his studio abuzz with clients snacking on mini candy bars while Joe and his group of top food stylists, special FX and digital technicians descend on every shot with a practiced efficiency and provide proven success.

Tom Michas: Chicago Fashion and Beauty Photographers

Tom Michas is a Queer Chicago-based fashion and beauty photographer who creates contemporary imagery with a focus on minimalism and luxury.

He thrives on high-production value and collaboration with strong personalities. Possessing a discerning eye for detail, Tom strives to create photographs that are sharp and evocative.

His experience as a commercial photographer and retoucher allows him to fulfill a client's vision from layout to finish.

Rob Grimm Photography: Chicago - St. Louis food & drink photographers

Rob Grimm is an award-winning food and beverage photographer and director with studios in Chicago and St. Louis. Rob often travels outside the studio walls to locations from coast to coast, creating still and motion content for his clients.

“My job as a photographer and director is to create appetite appeal that forces the viewer to feel hunger and thirst. It boils down to eliciting the basic emotion of desire in the viewer. Creating content that engages with the audience while bringing the brand message to life drives me every day. If you are hungry and thirsty after seeing my work, then I have done my job.”

Just a few of Rob’s clients include Jack Daniel’s, Southern Comfort, Woodford Reserve, Bacardi, Kraft, and Panera.

To discuss a potential project, please reach out to Rob. Or visit his website for additional still and motion content.

Jordan Buzzy: Detroit Lifestyle, Corporate and Portraiture Photographers

Jordan Buzzy is a photographer and outdoor advocate based in the Mitten State. In the Midwest, a bike ride along the lake can be epic, an individual can change a system, a drum machine can reach across an ocean. Home of big ideas, big water, and big fun.

This Spotlight features the Dr. Lee Jones memorial ceremony at the University of Michigan’s School of Dentistry. Dr. Lee Jones was a pioneer in what would become diversity and inclusion efforts within academia and industry. A teacher, recruiter, mentor, and founder of Ann Arbor's first Black dental practice. Not to mention his many awards for civil rights, dentistry, and academia.

Jordan also rode to Pictured Rocks with Bike Tour Vacations. "Like most Michiganders, I like to take time in the summers to get out to the big lakes. I personally work with BTV to staff and develop bike tours in Michigan’s upper peninsula. This year we ran three public tours and two private tours including the Flint and Detroit chapters of 'Black Girls do Bikes'; a true joy to host."

DJ Sama Abdulhadi and the legendary E-Dancer were captured performing at Paxahau’s Movement Electronic Music Festival in Detroit.

Jordan also worked on portraits with musician Rob Massard, Ann Arbor Summer Festival’s Associate Director James Carter, and Rep. Dan Kildee.

Stephen Hamilton: Chicago food & drink photographers

Photographer and director Stephen Hamilton is known for his craveable drips, pours and crumbs, expertly capturing food you want to immediately pick up and savor. Stephen has determined that flaws certainly aren’t flaws, they are imperfect perfection. Collaborating with an exceptional group of food and prop stylists, Stephen is able to deliver on any client request.

Hamilton’s fully equipped studio is based in Chicago, but he brings his vision to clients all over the globe. His versatile facilities cover over 11,000 square feet including three studios and a 4,000 square foot prop room.

The Stephen Hamilton Productions team offers an integrated, comprehensive, and client-first approach to any size production. Their full-circle capabilities include broadcast spots, OLV, still photography, social media content, how-to videos, and textured macro videos. Stephen’s unique perspective, lighting style and incredible team are why brands have trusted him for over 25 years.