Our studio’s 20th Anniversary

I started Organic Headshots in the spring of 2005, exactly 20 years ago. Like most photo studios, it was just me that first year: one photographer, one camera, and one bucket of gumption to start my own business taking great photos of great people.

Now we’re one of the few photography studios in the country employing multiple full-time photographers. 

We have seven photographers, ten makeup artists, an Operations Manager, a Videographer, and a Photo Assistant. In 2005 I did not see that coming. And what I also didn’t see coming was how much I would connect with each and every person who steps through our studio’s doors.

Our clients become our colleagues for the duration of their photo project: we collaborate on the objectives, themes, and styles, and work together as a true team for a common goal. Whether that’s a multi-year contract with hundreds of people for in-depth portraits, lifestyle shots, video, and event candids; or a quick five minutes with one person for a headshot for their company’s intranet system. The time spent connecting with our clients to create lasting images is meaningful to us.

If you’re reading this, it means you are part of the Organic Headshots family. 

We’ve supported you as you’ve received promotions, accepted awards, started or joined non-profit organizations, gone out on your own as entrepreneurs, written books, been featured on the covers of magazines, applied for new jobs, made career changes, and otherwise celebrated your achievements and promoted yourself and your brand.

I feel so much love and respect for each and every one of you. I care deeply about what happens to you, how you achieve your goals and find happiness and joy, and I’m honored to be even a small part of your life by taking your photo. And I cannot thank you enough for trusting me to be a part of your journey.

It has been the biggest honor of my life to have become Chicago’s principal photography studio for commercial portraits. 

Not just because of the achievement of building a business that has lasted 20 years and continues to grow, but because of the experience of meeting and working with the most celebrated, accomplished people and businesses in our great city.

Turning my studio into a team of 20 people in 20 years has changed me for the better. I’ve learned so much about effective leadership and how to be strong when my team needs courage, forceful when they need a champion, and empathetic when they need to be understood.

My amazing team has taught me that it’s ok to be vulnerable. That being honest and transparent is always the right thing to do. And that all everyone really wants is to be part of a community that’s safe enough to take turns taking care of each other and have the space to take care of ourselves, as we all work together toward a common goal.

Thank you for choosing us.

Thank you for recommending us to the people you care about, so that we can care about them too.

❤️

Michelle