A day of Lifestyle Photography in Chicago with D.C. Crenshaw

 

 It was a typical late-September morning for The Windy City. Crisp breezes, a few clouds, but plenty of sunshine. Ksenia Poulber and the team were awaiting the arrival of the subject for the week’s much-anticipated shoot, D.C. Crenshaw. He entered PUBLIC Chicago adorned in semi-casual layers: blazer, buttoned shirt, jeans, and leather slip on shoes. The most exciting piece of his wardrobe was the main accessory - his adorable, 9 month old son, Cruise in a stroller.

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Key Notes From Ani Gogova

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The scene for Ani Gogova’s photoshoot – her own condo twenty floors high in the skyline of Chicago – captures my attention as soon as I walk in the door. Hundreds of books span floor-to-ceiling shelves, neatly aligned but evidently used.  Abstract art and sculpture make the space appear as if it is alive and dancing. Nothing matches, yet everything fits. I seat myself on a deep chocolate leather sofa, waiting as Ani wraps up a phone call. There is no conversation, but I don’t mind. The room speaks to me, teasing details about the distinguished pianist’s world that I will soon come to know.

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Ian Maksin and the Golden Girls

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Ian Maksin is sitting on a stool surrounded by five partially nude women emblazoned with radiant gold body paint from head to toe when I first see him. He wears a sleek black suit, blood-red dress shirt and a tranquil expression that seems out of place against the fierce expressions worn by the models surrounding him. Hungry eyes penetrate through gold paint as the waif-like figures engulf him, ready to devour their handsome prey. Ian remains motionless, his face still calm but his eyes piercing as if they could see straight through the camera lense.

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Ksenia for Noontime Charities at the Lumiere Place Golf Classic

Noonetime Charities is a non-profit organization based on the first girl’s soccer team that Meghan created at Mama Na Dada in 2008 to empower women and children struggling with HIV AIDS and Malaria.  “The girls were considered too slow and too weak to play sports,” said Meghan. “I could not understand the mentality. I couldn’t grasp it.” She asked the male teachers, “What do you mean they’re too slow? Have you ever given them an opportunity to play?”

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Staying En Pointe with Abigail Simon

“You don’t mind if I eat my bagel while I’m talking to you, do you?” Abigail Simon asks from the other end of my telephone receiver. I’m up early to catch her before one of her 9 to 11-hour workdays, and although I haven’t had the pleasure to meet her in person, her voice exudes a brilliant, charismatic glow that I’m certain has an infectious smile to match.

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