chicago May 2018

One rarely goes a day without seeing Chicago photographer Joe Pellegrini’s work in store windows, in magazines, in catalogues, cookbooks or cereal boxes.

For over two decades, Joe has been an industry leader in product and food photography. Also an accomplished painter, he has brought his artistic sensibilities to national campaigns for Coca-Cola, McDonald's, Kellogg's and Tyson. For the past 11 years, has shot virtually all of Subway’s national and international print and outdoor ads as well 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 product shot with a practiced efficiency, providing proven success.

Brett Bulthuis is an internationally published photographer and world traveller. His assignments have sent him from all over the US to Japan, Singapore, Thailand, and China. Specialising in interior and architectural photography, and with a range of editorial stories, covers, and featured images, Brett remains busy and on the go.

His clients include BMW, Crate&Barrel, Condé Nast, Curbed, Soho House, CPG, Graduate Hotels, Teen Vogue, CB2, BoConcept, Mileu, Nylon Guys, Crains, Chicago Magazine, VIE Magazine, WITS, City Year Chicago, and Starbucks, among others.

Chris Bradley is a commercail photographer who specialises in interior  photography as well as environmental portraiture. He enjoys soft light, one point perspective and vibrant colours. In shooting more portraits recently, Chris finds that his background in interiors is quite handy.

"Knowing how to light a space is half the battle, and throwing a person into a pre-lit scene is second nature. Sometimes it seems like the space a person surrounds themselves with tells as much about them as the look in their eyes."

Past happy clients include The Ritz Carlton, Northwestern University, Keiser Fitness, Kroger, OKAMURA and BuzziSpace.

Tony Favarula is a lifestyle photographer based in Chicago. He draws inspiration from everyday moments and excels at producing images full of life and spontaneity, capturing moments for clients that are fun, quirky, full of energy, and sometimes gritty and raw.

Tony thrives at engaging his subjects while being a part of the action. He enjoys working on image libraries for the depth of subject and range of photographic potential in telling clients' stories. His images have been used by agencies, design groups and companies for digital and print campaigns.

Authentic, approachable and natural is how acclaimed food photographer Tracy Cox describes her work. “I’m passionate about capturing the essence of food,” she says. Drawn to the elemental attributes of what we eat, Tracy focuses on its sustaining pleasures and fleeting nature.

“If ice cream starts to melt while I’m shooting it, so be it. If there are soup spills and smatterings of cracker crumbs in a shot, all the better.” It is this resolutely real approach that has garnered Tracy’s studio an international clientele that includes some of the biggest names in food and style.

As her global portfolio expands, Tracy retains her signature hands-on manner. “Julia Child said that if food is so beautifully arranged on a plate, you know someone’s fingers have been all over it. I love that! It alludes to what everyone suspects: there’s a lot going on behind the scenes of food photography.”

Tracy is seeking representation in Chicago.

Jennifer Davick is a California and New York-based director and photographer for brands that seek to showcase food and culinary lifestyle photography and film that is vibrant, stylish, approachable and appetizing.

Her work explores the beauty-from-within of ingredients and reveals a portrait of implied lifestyle in the process. She is passionate about collaboration, remaining curious, mixing mediums and creating striking stories that feature food as the hero.

Recent clients include The Food Network, Imagine Soups, Aldi, Hillshire Farm, Lifeway Kefir and Electrolux.

''Hello Chicago Creatives, finish this sentence: "My client ______________"

Was your blank one of these?

• "Has a vision"

• "Has a specific style in mind for the brand"

• "Wants a new look"

• "Must see the appetite-appeal in the shot"

• "Is hard to work with"

No matter how the sentence concludes, Brent Herrig can help you delight your clients and achieve exactly what they're looking for, again and again. Brands including Bailey's, Tanqueray and Belvedere as well as publishers including Houghton Mifflin Harcourt and the Food Network rely on Brent to capture their vision of food, drinks and products in the most collaborative, stress-free way possible.

What can Brent help you with? Contact him directly to talk about your next project.''

"My work illustrates a need to find order in chaos with representation and creative interpretation held in precarious balance. I'm always looking to go beyond documentation, to elevate the image to a new level of emotional and intellectual vibrancy, to arrange and distill complex disparate elements into a dynamic whole.

I consider myself a traditionalist who embraces technology, and the move from analogue to digital has been liberating, creatively. After 30-plus years as a professional architectural photographer, I have learned to recognise the moment that illuminates a project in it's best light. More importantly, my experience has nurtured a core intuition that helps me instantly pre-visualise the final image and capture compositions that blend grace and simplicity with visual complexity.

Every subject has a point at which its expressive potential is fully realised, and I strive to reach that point. At its best, the resulting image is transformative, the photograph is no longer just a document, but a new and surprising re-imagining that transcends the captured subject."

Christy Schmid Productions is a full service print and motion production company based in Chicago. Overseeing every aspect of a shoot, CSP’s services include estimating, casting, location scouting, props and wardrobe, scheduling, permitting, location management and delicious catering and craft.

“I never have to worry during pre-production when working with Christy. Having her on a job always allows me to focus on the creative. She has an amazing ability to keep her calm; she is an extremely hard worker, organised, detailed and kind. We always end the job under budget and on schedule!” Jason Lindsey, photographer and director.

Clients include Nissan, Kellogg’s, Us Weekly, Beam Suntory and Dick’s Sporting Goods.

"For more than 15 years, I have been fortunate to work on major promotional, media and film projects in both live events and full-set productions. Through building relationships with major agencies, I have worked with some of the world’s highly-acclaimed photographers, designers and video production teams. My experiences have allowed myself to grow into a thriving business.

Because make-up and hair styling is my passion, I am always searching for new and exciting opportunities and I love to connect with my clients. I love an active, healthy lifestyle which incorporates yoga, meditation and more holistic beauty practices. I love to make someone feel and look their best! I love to be a part of a team and to create a finished project, where we all work together with our highest talents."