Featured on WGN-TV: Why Pet and Family Portraits Matter

When I walked into the WGN studio, I wasn’t thinking about television.

I was thinking about the animals and the families whose stories have shaped my career.

Being invited to appear on WGN was an incredible honor, but what meant the most wasn’t the cameras—it was having the opportunity to introduce more people to the work I’m so passionate about.

For more than two decades, I’ve photographed the moments that matter most. As a former Chicago Tribune photojournalist and member of the Pulitzer Prize-winning reporting team, storytelling has always been at the heart of what I do.

Today, that storytelling continues in a different way.

Every Portrait Experience is designed to celebrate the extraordinary bond between people and the animals they love. Whether we’re creating a joyful family portrait or honoring a beloved companion later in life, my goal is always the same: to create artwork that helps people remember not just what their family looked like, but what it felt like to love them.

One of the things that makes my portrait experience unique is that every session begins with a complimentary Animal Communication session and includes a professional animal trainer to help every pet feel relaxed and comfortable in front of the camera.

Appearing on WGN reminded me how many people understand that our animals are family. It was wonderful to share that message with viewers across Chicago, and I’m grateful to everyone at WGN for the opportunity.

If you missed the segment, you can watch it here.

If you’re considering a custom portrait experience for your family or the animals who have changed your life, I’d love to welcome you to my Chicago studio.

Explore my portrait portfolio here.

Because the moments we treasure most deserve more than a place on our phones.

They deserve a place in our homes.

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    Chicago Pet Photographer

    THE FIRST FULL-LENGTH FILM FROM THE SEE HEAR LOVE PROJECT™ IS HERE. ❤️
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Meet Nori and Wasabi, a bonded mother and son looking for their forever home together.
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I connected with them telepathically to hear their thoughts, feelings and what they wanted people to know.
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During his communication, Wasabi told me he would give Gabriella, the woman caring for him, all of his toys to make her smile.
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Then he wondered if she needed a ribbon or a string—because those are the things that cheer him up.
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And Nori had her own story to tell.
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This is what The See Hear Love Project™ was created to do: combine animal communication, portraiture and documentary film so animals can participate in telling their own stories.
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We don't simply tell a story about an animal.
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We tell it with them.
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Nori and Wasabi are available for adoption through SAYv Animal Organization. If their story speaks to you, please share it. Somewhere out there is the person who is supposed to find them.
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One animal. One story. One film created to help them find a home.
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SEEN. HEARD. LOVED.
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#SeeHearLove #TheSeeHearLoveProject #AnimalCommunication #AnimalCommunicator #CatAdoption #RescueCats #AdoptDontShop #SAYvAnimalOrganization
    **YOUR DOG DOESN’T HAVE TO KNOW HOW TO MODEL. 🐾**

We’re the only Chicago portrait studio with a professional animal trainer at every session.

Your dog gets to be a dog. We take care of the rest.

#ChicagoPetPhotographer #ChicagoDogPhotographer #ChicagoDogs #PetPhotography #CusicPhotography
    “Does she need a ribbon or a string? Because that cheers me up.” ❤️
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During his animal communication session, Wasabi told me he would give Gabriella all of his toys to make her smile. Then he wondered if she needed a ribbon or a string—because those are the things that cheer him up.
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Wasabi came to the studio with his mom, Nori, for The See Hear Love Project™, where animals participate in telling their own stories through animal communication, portraiture and film.
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Nori and Wasabi are available for adoption through SAYv Animal Organization. If their story speaks to you, maybe their forever home is with you. ❤️
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Sometimes love sounds like something enormous.
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And sometimes it sounds like:
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“I would give you all of my toys.”
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Seen. Heard. Loved.

@sayvanimalorg 
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#SeeHearLove #TheSeeHearLoveProject #SAYvAnimalOrganization #AdoptDontShop #AnimalCommunication #AnimalCommunicator #CatAdoption #ChicagoCats #ChicagoPetPhotographer
    This is pretty exciting.

**Bored Panda just featured The See Hear Love Project.**

The See Hear Love Project is the world’s only documentary storytelling project told from the animal’s perspective. 

Through animal communication, shelter and rescue animals share their own stories, and we create fine-art portraits and documentary films to help them be seen, heard, and adopted.

I’m incredibly grateful to the rescues who trusted us with their animals and their stories:

@onetailatatime
@sayvanimalorg 
@reddoorshelter 
@hinsdalehumanesociety 
@chicagolandpigrescue 

**Read the Bored Panda feature:**
https://www.boredpanda.com/see-hear-love-animal-project.../

**Watch The See Hear Love Project:**
https://youtube.com/shorts/18yGgXeEX-0?si=xp8lSbNR8OkKkSX8

https://www.boredpanda.com/see-hear-love-animal-project.../ See less
    The See Hear Love Project™ is the world’s only documentary project told from the animal’s perspective—combining animal communication, portrait photography and film to help animals be seen, heard and loved.
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George wandered into Owen’s backyard one winter.
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And stayed. ❤️
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During George’s animal communication session, I asked him about his life with Owen.
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Then George told me something wonderfully specific:
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“Cookies in bed make Owen happy.”
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Owen’s reaction says everything. 😂
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These are some of my favorite moments in animal communication. Sometimes what an animal shares is profound. Sometimes it’s heartbreaking.
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And sometimes a cat who wandered into your backyard knows exactly what makes you happy.
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Seen. Heard. Loved.
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The See Hear Love Project™
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#SeeHearLoveProject #AnimalCommunication #CatCommunication #RescueCat #AnimalStories #PetStories #AnimalCommunicator #ChicagoPets
    The See Hear Love Project™ wouldn't exist without the incredible rescue organizations that trusted me with the stories of the animals in their care.

Thank you for believing in an idea that was a little different, for opening your doors, and for introducing me to some truly unforgettable animals.

I'm so excited to share the latest sizzle reel for The See Hear Love Project™.

Every featured animal received a documentary film, fine-art portraiture, and an animal communication session designed to help people connect with the individual behind the adoption profile.

My hope has always been simple: to tell stories that help more animals find forever homes.

Thank you to every rescue, foster, volunteer, adopter, and supporter who has been part of this journey. This is only the beginning.
    Dama arrived at the studio in a wheelchair.
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That was the first thing I noticed.
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It was also the least interesting thing about her.
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What I remember is her determination.
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Her curiosity.
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Her joy.
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Please visit my page to see Dama's full story.
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"Maybe I'm not a misfit.
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I just have more to love."
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— Dama
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Seen. Heard. Loved.
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#TheSeeHearLoveProject #SeenHeardLoved #RescueDog
    I created The See Hear Love Project to help animals like Blanca.
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Painfully shy. Dumped on a road before the rain came. Nervous around strangers. Ears down. Tail tucked.
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For those new to the project, these are not carefree, well-adjusted animals. Many have experienced neglect, abandonment, fear, or loss.
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Sometimes we only get one photograph when they truly relax.
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Thankfully, we only need one.
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Please visit my page to see Blanca's full story.
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Special thanks to @sayvanimalorg for bringing Blanca to The See Hear Love Project.
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"All I want
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is to feel loved and safe."
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— Blanca
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Seen. Heard. Loved.
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#TheSeeHearLoveProject #SeenHeardLoved #RescueDog

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    1821 W. Hubbard St., Chicago, IL 60622

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    Available for travel internationally, for pets & family photography, and education for photographers. Send us a note for details or reach us by phone at 312-248-2939.

     

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