My Story

Welcome to my site. My name is Vanessa and I am a lifestyle and portrait photographer. For the past decade, I have studied and captured the beauty of people... people in their everyday interactions, people in love, people in their creative element, and people with budding families beginning to grow. Watching, observing, and capturing is truly what puts me in my happy place!

I have found photography to be one of the truest ways to understand the essence of another person. As a mother now to four wonderful boys, and a wife to a brilliant and supportive husband, my perspective continues to evolve while my mission remains ever the same: I am here to capture the art of you. Join me on this journey as I witness what is imperfectly unique and beautiful about you.

Engagement Sessions

Engagement sessions are typically done on location (often at one or two spots that are within walking distance) and last up to 2 hours. An online gallery of approximately 25 edited images will be provided.

Baby, Family, Maternity, Editorial Portraits

These sessions can be done on location or in studio and last up to 1 hour. This includes up to 5 family members. An online gallery of approximately 10 edited images will be provided.

Corporate Headshots

Corporate headshot sessions last up to half an hour and include 3 edited digital images. For groups of 5 or more a group rate may apply. Please contact me for more details.

My Work

Raves

As a photographer, Vanessa is one of the most talented people I have ever known and worked with. She has taken amazing shots for my fitness portfolio and gorgeously photographed my wedding shower and “trash-the-dress” (post-wedding) session. As a friend, Vanessa is very loyal, genuine, and dedicated. Those characteristics bleed onto her photographic mastery as well as adequately ensuring client satisfaction. She will not and refuses to disappoint. Her eye for beauty and creativity is impeccable as can be seen in her published work.

- ANNALISA MARANAN

My fiance Joe and I had our engagement session with Vanessa and are 100% pleased! Vanessa has such a creative eye and she made us feel really comfortable in front of the camera. She captured our personalities very well and the city of Chicago amazingly! I can't wait to use her again for future photo needs!

- LIEZL PAYAWAL

As a musician, I have worked with Vanessa twice. Once for a live performance and for an album photo shoot. Her live work was fantastic, but she really shines when given a little freedom. Very creative, a great eye and extremely easy to work with.

- AARON ELMORE

This was my first experience in a photo shoot, and she did everything possible to make the experience easy and comfortable. In addition, the photos came out great. We took our pictures at dusk, and she did a really great job of capturing the natural lighting. I look forward to working with her in the future.