For Makayla’s senior photoshoot, the goal was to provide an exclusive experience like no other as we created gorgeous imagery with an artist’s decorative touch.  During the studio consultation, Makayla and her Mom (Noelle) expressed the desire to have an epic photoshoot; staying away from the “usual”.  It was deemed that downtown Chicago would provide the creative elements we were after; energy, architectural textures, colors, arrays of light, and the vibes of city life.  

As with our on-location photoshoot sessions, we invest many hours scouting the right location.  For this photoshoot, we amped up our commitment to find the right locations, and the bonus, sourcing a Chicago building rooftop.  It was a challenge navigating a partially closed city, and the safety concern with the ongoing protests around the city.  From a little bit of luck and unwavering efforts, we uncovered the ideal locations in River North, Chicago.  And thankfully, a close friend to Makayla’s family was able to put us on the rooftops.  

With the locations secured, we completed our creative process in designing each look; outfit, hair, makeup, and the overall imagery we planned to create; while placing great attention to the details.  This photoshoot ended up being our largest logistical plan we have ever created as it took us to eight different scenes.

To enhance the celebrity/VIP treatment, our Hair/Make-up Artist, Paige Puccio, came along for the ride providing us with the different planned looks from location to location.  Our last look took us to a second Chicago rooftop, and into near darkness.  Fortunately, a well positioned strobe light was able to provide ample lighting for Paige to finish the last look.

People from neighboring buildings were watching us from their windows as we were shooting from the rooftop.  They must have thought we were shooting a music video.  We definitely pushed the limits of being “on” in front of the camera for this five hour photoshoot.  By the time the last shot was taken, we were excited for what we had created, but spent from the journey.  Thank you Makayla and Noelle for allowing us to drag you around the city for half a day.

Please enjoy a few of the portraits below, and check out the “Behind the Shoot” video here.

About Chicago Senior Pictures

A Chicago Senior Portrait Studio in the Illinois Northwest Suburbs. Our style of Senior Photography is influenced by fine-art and fashion editorial photography. Our “why” is providing an authentic experience to our clients in creating an exclusive product with an artist’s decorative touch. We are hard-working, talented professionals dedicated to our client’s experiences and the memories we create for them. We’d love to have you visit the studio and show you our folio albums, hand crafted wall art and print photography products. We can provide more information on the services we deliver.