Mentoring for Photographers

Are you a photographer who is feeling visually stumped or uninspired?  Do you feel like you’re shooting the same shots, week after week?

I can help.

I started taking photographs at age six and ruined my mother’s countertop with darkroom chemicals while studying Photojournalism at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. As a staff photojournalist for the Chicago Tribune, I traveled twice to India to document tsunami, photographed the devastation of Hurricane Katrina and was part of a team that won the a Pulitzer Prize in 2000.

I’ve taught photojournalism nearly every week for over a decade at Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism. Critiquing photographs is part of my job, and I strive to teach others to step outside their comfort zones to create great photos.

I love to teach moment-driven portraiture and how to apply photojournalism principles to modern day weddings. I’ll help you address any challenges you are experiencing and together we’ll turn them into non-issues. I will show you how to prepare yourself effectively, teach you key steps throughout the photography process and give you the tools you need for your photographic toolkit. You’ll learn about photographing strangers, getting comfortable in any environment, establishing trust and how to capture memorable moments that will take your work to the next level.

HOW MENTOR SESSIONS WORK

 

We meet online so we can both see my computer screen. You can either Dropbox me your images or we can go through your website. Our session lasts 90 minutes, and no topic is out of bounds. I'm here to help you think more creatively, and will encourage you to be more thoughtful with your shooting.

 

SESSION TOPICS

- We can go through your latest shoot, frame by frame

- I can help you edit your next blog post, with your strongest images represented

- I can help you discover other ways to document a scene

- I can add to your "portrait session toolkit", so you're not struggling the next time your clients ask, "What do you want us to do?"

- We can put together a new portfolio, going through your best work and creating a concise body of work to show off your best

- Honestly, we can discuss whatever you want – I'm an open book!

 

Options

I also offer Shoot with Candice mentoring sessions, and the Moment-Driven Workshop .

Chicago Pet Photographer

Avalanche wasn't interested in being the center of attention.
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He just wanted to be close.
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Please visit my page to see Avalanche's full story.
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"I don't want
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to be alone."
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— Avalanche
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Seen. Heard. Loved.
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#TheSeeHearLoveProject #SeenHeardLoved #RescueRabbit @reddoorshelter
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
One of the best things about photographing Ramona is watching everyone react to a pig in the building.

People stopped.

They smiled.

They took selfies.

One gentleman asked if I could wait so he could FaceTime his girlfriend because she loves pigs.

The hardest thing about photographing a pig is that pigs don't stop moving.

Ever.

This portrait worked because Ramona kept walking in circles, allowing us to see her body and face at the same time.

Not shown: Ramona chewed up the paper backdrop on set. Her pig squeal echoed through the studio—loud, proud, and impossible to ignore, just like Ramona herself.

"Thank you

for saving my life."

— Ramona

The See Hear Love Project combines professional photography and animal communication. Each portrait is paired with one of the most powerful messages the animal shared during their communication session.

Seen. Heard. Loved.

@chicagolandpigrescue

#TheSeeHearLoveProject #RescuePig #SeenHeardLoved
Some dogs don’t just fit into a family — they become part of its heartbeat.
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Eddie was pure joy to photograph with his two favorite people. The connection between them was effortless, loving, and completely real.
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These are the moments worth remembering.
Meet Zeno.

After being surrendered by his owner, Zeno has spent more than a year waiting at Red Door Animal Shelter for someone to choose him.

And somehow, after all this time, he’s still soft. Still trusting. Still hopeful.

Cats like Zeno don’t need perfection. They just need someone willing to see them.

Seen. Heard. Loved.

📍 Red Door Animal Shelter

🐾 Available for adoption
Meet Zeno.

After being surrendered by his owner, Zeno has spent more than a year waiting at Red Door Animal Shelter for someone to choose him.

And somehow, after all this time, he’s still soft. Still trusting. Still hopeful.

Cats like Zeno don’t need perfection. They just need someone willing to see them.

Seen. Heard. Loved.

📍 Red Door Animal Shelter

🐾 Available for adoption

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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