Chicago Photography Workshop and Mentoring

I received a Facebook message yesterday that transported me back to my college Spring break.  I’ve been a photographer all my life, so my Spring breaks weren’t filled with Daytona and debauchery, they involved rolls of film and my camera.  In 1995, I rented a car and drove to Selma, Alabama to document the 30th Anniversary of the March for Voting Rights.  I wore a borrowed jacket, slept on YMCA floors with the marchers and spent a week shooting roll after roll of Tri-X film.  I was also featured in a local news piece, along with a marcher who uploaded the video to YouTube and kindly emailed it to me.

During the march, I photographed an historic moment when former Alabama Governor and staunch anti-Segregationist George Wallace held hands with SCLC leader Joseph Lowery, a leader in the original march, and sang “We Shall Overcome.”  This moment taught me that anyone can change, and it’s never too late to take that first step.

I’m so thankful to receive this video of myself as a very young and inexperienced photographer (though I wish I were dressed better, but hey, I was in college) at the start of the New Year.  I always wanted to become a photographer, so I became one.  I’ve made many mistakes along the way, had several setbacks of self-doubt that can cripple growth, and have grown stronger as a result.  I’ve made many changes recently to embrace the photographer I was in college, because amazing things can happen by simply visualizing who you want to be.

I’ve ditched my zooms and only shoot prime lenses (See what’s in my camera bag here), work with associate photographers and lighting assistants, and keep my business goals at the forefront by building a strong team.  You really can achieve what you want in life by visualizing it, and my career is proof that Manifesting works.  In 2016 I traveled to Porto, Madrid, London and held 3 Moment-Driven Workshops (2 in Chicago and one in London).

In 2017 I am so pleased to teach at the incredible Foundation Workshops in Texas and Spain, and will return to London as a featured speaker at the Snap Photography Festival.  I’ll also hold my second Moment-Driven Workshop: London and have several Moment-Driven Workshops: Chicago.

I’m also launching the Shoot With Your Heart Facebook group, come Join us for tips on how to grow your business (and change your life) with positive thought, how to conquer self-doubt and step outside your comfort zone, and how to capture great moments by being present IN the moment.  Stay tuned for Facebook Live updates, Workshop info and one-on-one Mentoring with me!

 

I’m so thankful for the photographer I was then,

https://youtu.be/nJ2EWkbzZnk

 

And NOW!

PHOTOGRAPHERS: JOIN the journey HERE!!   Let’s grow our branches together and make 2017 the best year yet!

 

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Chicago Pet Photographer

Meet Phoebe, a total sweetheart whose expressive eyes say it all. 🐾
It’s always such a joy capturing pets like her—full of love, personality, and the quiet moments that make them family.
#CusicPhotography #ChicagoPetPhotography #PetPortraits #DogPhotography #ChicagoPets #MomentDrivenPhotography
Meet Oliver the Corgi! 🐾
Full of personality and completely irresistible, this handsome guy brought so much joy to the studio. Moments like these are why I love what I do—capturing the bond you share with your pets and creating artwork you’ll treasure for years to come. 💛
#CusicPhotography #ChicagoPetPhotography #CorgiLove #PetPortraits #ChicagoPets #MomentDrivenPhotography
Meet Charlie, the semi-feral cat from @sayvanimals 🐾

Thank you to Sayv Animals and foster mom Carol for everything you do to help this sweet boy—and so many others—find safety, love, and a second chance.

Every animal deserves to be Seen. Heard. Loved.™ 💙

#SeeHearLoveProject #ChicagoCats #AdoptLocal #FosterCats #CatRescue
Seen. Heard. Loved.

Candice C. Cusic has launched a powerful new project, The See Hear Love Project™, to spotlight the rising number of animals in Chicago shelters. In collaboration with local rescue groups, she’s giving a voice to animals who deserve a second chance and a loving home.

This one-of-a-kind initiative combines the art of animal communication with Cusic’s renowned photography to help each animal be seen, heard, and ultimately adopted. Follow along to meet them and discover their stories.

Since the filming of this video, Ramona has officially become a proud foster fail—aka ADOPTED! She now spends her days living her best life with her mom April, her dad, and five pig siblings, soaking up all the love, snacks, and belly rubs she could ever dream of. 🐷❤️

#chicago #explore #explorepage #fosteranimals #chicagolandpigrescue
SEEN. HEARD. LOVED.
Last year, 3,380 dogs and cats were euthanized in Chicago.
During his animal communication session, Tater shared something quietly heartbreaking:
“Sometimes I worry people won’t like me. I worry if I’m good enough.”
His foster mom couldn’t hold back tears — because he is good enough. Every dog waiting for a home is.
October is Adopt a Shelter Dog Month, and Chicago’s shelters are beyond capacity.
The See Hear Love Project™ unites animal communication and fine-art photography to give foster animals a voice — so they can finally be seen, heard, and adopted.
🐾 Featuring Tater from @darkhorsedogs
📍Created by Candice C. Cusic
#SeeHearLoveProject #AdoptAShelterDogMonth
SEEN. HEARD. LOVED.
Every foster animal has something to say.
Maggie’s animal communication session inspired the beginning of The See Hear Love Project™—and many more voices will follow.
#chicagoshelterdogs
#adoptlocal
#rescuelocal
#chicagodogs
#chicagodogswithoutjobs
Dama may be in a wheelchair, but her spirit is unstoppable.

Through The See Hear Love Project™, her voice and her story are shared—so she can be truly seen, heard, and adopted. 

Thank you @sayvanimals for giving her the chance she deserves.  Thank you @salvageone for welcoming us to photograph Dama in your beautiful space. She was a little nervous Nelly that day, so we finished her session in the studio. We’re so grateful for your support in helping animals like Dama be seen, heard, and adopted. ❤️🐾
##chicagoshelterdogs
#adoptlocal
#rescuelocal
#chicagodogs
#chicagodogswithoutjobs 

SEEN. HEARD. LOVED.
This is Nala the cat. 🐾
Her reading wasn’t about adoption — it was about understanding.
Animal communication reveals what our pets are truly feeling.
Would you want to know what your cat is thinking?

Our location

Located in downtown Chicago.

1821 W. Hubbard St., Chicago, IL 60622

By appointment only

info@cusicphoto.com

 

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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