Headshot Session: Ben Geerts

This month I had the chance to work with Ben Geerts, a real estate professional with @Properties, to refresh his personal branding with a series of clean, modern headshots. We built out a versatile set of looks, both light and dark backgrounds to give him options for marketing, social media, and client-facing materials.

To achieve a crisp, polished style, the session used a three-light setup: a softbox key light for flattering, even illumination; a rear flash to add separation and dimension; and a dedicated hair light to refine the outline and lift the overall image. A U-shaped reflector wrapped the light beautifully around the face, keeping the shadows soft while maintaining natural texture.

Ben brought great energy to the session, and the combination of lighting, expression, and variety resulted in a set of professional images that fit perfectly with his approachable and trustworthy brand.

These are just a few of the looks from the shoot, and the full set equips him with a strong visual toolkit as he continues to grow his presence in the real estate market.

Light, Lights, Action

Image of a group of six real estate professionals posing together by Lake Michigan on a sunny day. The team is smiling, dressed in light-colored clothing, with the lake and skyline visible in the background.
A group of six real estate professionals walking together on a pathway surrounded by greenery and trees during a sunny day.

This session for The Geoff Brown Real Estate Group came with its fair share of technical hurdles. Due to everyone’s schedules, the only time we could shoot was right at noon, a photographer’s least favorite time of day for portraits! The sun was bright, the sky was reflecting off Lake Michigan, and halfway through, the wind decided to join the fun.

To balance it all, I worked with my Godox AD-300 paired with a medium softbox to help shape the light and bring back detail in everyone’s faces. I started by exposing for the bright background, then worked my lighting power and distance to bring the group into balance.

A man wearing sunglasses and a baseball cap stands next to a woman, both posing in front of a sunny Lake Michigan backdrop.

The first test image shows what the scene looked like before adding artificial light, and the second test image shows the difference once the lighting was introduced. It was definitely a challenging shoot, but with some patience, teamwork, and the right light placement, it came together beautifully.

The Geoff Brown Real Estate Group was fantastic to work with, professional, patient, and incredibly accommodating throughout. I also have the pleasure of knowing several of them personally as fellow Evanston residents, with plenty of overlapping friends, colleagues, and experiences. It was a real privilege to capture such a well-put-together and personable team of real estate professionals.

Capturing the Creative Process: Adam Walsh in Studio

Photography by DH23Photo

Close-up of a musician's hand playing a sunburst guitar in a recording studio, with a microphone in the background and red velvet curtains.
A smiling man with a beard wearing a gray shirt and a cap, standing in front of deep red curtains.
Close-up of a tattooed arm resting on a sunburst acoustic guitar, showcasing the intimate atmosphere of a music studio session.

I recently had the pleasure of photographing a good friend of mine, Adam Walsh, as he laid down a single for his upcoming studio album. Adam invited me into the session not to stage anything but to document the real, unfiltered moments. It was all about capturing the magic as it happened.

From the very beginning, I made it my mission to stay “in the shadows,” so to speak. I didn’t want to interrupt his flow or pull him out of the creative zone. I set my camera to silent mode, moved quietly through the space, and let the music guide the moments I captured. No flashes, no posing, no redirection just pure, uninterrupted performance.

The room was intimate, draped in deep red velvet curtains and filled with a warmth that matched the emotion in Adam’s voice. With his signature sunburst guitar and a quiet intensity, he poured himself into every chord and lyric.

Every photo from this shoot is completely candid. You can see it in the way his hand grips the fretboard, the focus in his eyes behind the mic, and the tattoos that tell a story all their own. There’s a truth in these frames that only comes from letting things unfold naturally.

The goal was simple: keep it authentic. And I think we achieved exactly that.

Want to capture your own behind-the-scenes moments, studio sessions, or creative process without losing the vibe that makes it yours? Contact me.

Final Days: A Moment With My Father

Photographed in the hospital one week before his passing, this image captures a quiet exchange between father and child. The gesture gentle, instinctive served as both comfort and farewell.

In the face of declining health, this moment was not about illness, but presence. It was about being seen, held, and remembered.

His gaze, steady and soft, reflects a lifetime carried in silence. The photo stands as a final portrait of connection when words had mostly faded, but love had not.

This is my Father, always and forever.

John Owen Hunwick

The Journey Begins

There’s something incredibly special about photographing a wedding for a friend’s family it’s a blend of personal connection and creative storytelling that makes the experience even more meaningful. This wedding, held at the stunning South Shore Cultural Center in Chicago, was exactly that: timeless, elegant, and full of joy.

The South Shore Cultural Center is one of Chicago’s hidden architectural gems. With its grand colonnades, lush greenery, and views of Lake Michigan, it’s a dream setting for a romantic celebration. It’s also a photographer’s paradise there’s symmetry, texture, and warmth in every direction, and the light plays beautifully across its terra cotta pillars and green canopy.

The couple walked hand in hand down a long, column lined walkway, smiling at each other like they were the only two people in the world. I love this moment because it captures the essence of their relationship playful, grounded, and full of admiration. Her classic lace gown and his sharp blue suit popped against the earthy tones of the background, creating a striking visual harmony.

More than the setting, what stood out most was the energy of the day. Laughter was abundant, the details were thoughtful without being overdone, and everything just felt real. These are the kinds of weddings that remind me why I love what I do not just capturing images, but memories, feelings, and the beginning of something beautiful.

Congratulations to this amazing couple, and thank you for letting me be part of such a meaningful day!

Sunrise vows

Wrapped in each other’s arms and the glow of a Lake Michigan sunrise, the newlyweds celebrate their love with a quiet moment on the Evanston shore.

This image holds a special place in my heart. I was honored to be asked by a friend and incredibly talented fellow photographer to capture their wedding day. Being chosen by someone who knows the craft so well is one of the highest compliments, and I felt deeply privileged to stand behind the lens for such a meaningful occasion. As the sun dipped into the water and they embraced the moment, I was reminded of the quiet power photography has to preserve love, light, and memory.

Unconditional Love, Always

Here’s a quick back story about this photo. This is my wife and youngest son. We took this in our backyard. We had our outdoor screen up for something we were watching with the kids. My wife was holding our son in front of the screen in this sweet moment. No setup, no preparation just a quick snap, however I think it tells volumes about a mother’s love. It’s definitely one of my favorites over the years.