Discover Top Portrait Photographers in Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA

Since the dawn of his photography business in 2008, Ryan Southen has traveled the world pursuing his passion: capturing people and environments. In particular, Ryan draws viewers into moments of easy intimacy in his portraits, and introduces his audience to lesser-known artistic feats in Detroit, MI and far beyond. Ryan cares deeply about forming lasting relationships with his clients, which translates into creative shoots, painstaking editing, and striking finished products -- whether for your special day or your next ad campaign. In addition to shooting weddings, Ryan has delivered high-quality commercial images for large businesses, foundations, and architecture firms throughout the Midwest. Despite becoming an award-winning photographer (The Knot 'Best of' Hall of Fame), Ryan wants you to know that he's a true Midwesterner (read: friendly and approachable). He looks forward to collaborating with clients on projects to ensure they leave not only with a visual story that exceeds the industry standard, but also with a positive experience from Ryan Southen Photography. Select Clients: The Kresge Foundation Mort Crim Communications Inc. Detroit Economic Growth Corporation City of Detroit Detroit Water and Sewerage Department Comerica Bank Eastern Market Corporation MGM Grand Casino Detroit Henry Ford Hospital Iron Ridge Holdings Fives Group Interscope Records + Eminem The German Marshall Fund Architectural Clients: Gensler Synecdoche Design Harley, Ellis, Devereaux 2MArchitects Hopkins Burns Architects A3C Architects Walbridge Published: BBC Architectural Record HOUR Detroit DBusiness Magazine Metro Detroit Bride Coney Detroit Nikon World Magazine

• Editorial Photographer / Photojournalist
• Drone Operator
• Commercial DP
• Event Photographer
• Landscape Photographer
• Portrait Photographer
• News Shooter / Video Journalist

I am a freelance photographer based in Chicago, Illinois. I started out my photography career seventeen years ago as a staff photojournalist for the Laredo Morning Times in Laredo, Texas after earning my BA in photography/journalism at Columbia College Chicago. I began freelancing in early 2008 and have photographed news, editorial, events, portraits, and more. While at the Laredo Morning Times I went through hostile environment training where I also learned CPR. I understand beginner French and Spanish.

• Editorial Photographer / Photojournalist
• Portrait Photographer

Yijun Pan is a Chicago based photographer and cinematographer. She graduated from DePaul University with a degree in Master of Science - Cinematography of Film & Television Production in 2019. Yijun's works focus on portrait and food photography and videography. She also tells stories with narratives and documentaries.

• Creative Director
• Portrait Photographer
• Documentary DP
• Fixer
• Commercial DP
• Production Assistant
• News Shooter / Video Journalist
• Editorial Photographer / Photojournalist
• Product Photographer
• Colorist
• Art Director
• Event Photographer

I'm an editorial and commercial photographer based in Chicago and France. I mostly work in stills but enjoy shooting and editing video as well. I previously worked as a reporter and photographer for Business Insider and an overnight crime reporter for the Chicago Sun-Times. I hold a master's degree from the Medill School of Journalism and a certificate in photojournalism from the Spéos Photography School in Paris.

• News Shooter / Video Journalist
• Editorial Photographer / Photojournalist
• Reporter / Journalist
• On-Air Reporter / Host
• Documentary DP
• Video Editor - News
• Video Editor - Documentary
• Video Editor - Commercial
• Mobile Journalist / Livestreamer
• Production Assistant
• Event Photographer
• Portrait Photographer
• Product Photographer
• Landscape Photographer
• Fashion Photographer
• Corporate Videographer
• Field Producer

Commercial photographer who focuses on narrative content creation for personal brands and businesses through photography and video in the Chicago area.

• Portrait Photographer
• Event Photographer
• Product Photographer
• Corporate Videographer
• Fashion Photographer

An Emmy-nominated, Webby-honored video editor and producer and award-winning photographer with passion and expertise in meaningful visual and audio storytelling across digital platforms

• Documentary DP
• Senior Producer / Project Manager
• Series Producer / Show Runner
• Non-Fiction Film Director
• Creative Director
• Post-Production Manager
• TV News Producer
• Field Producer
• Video Editor - News
• Video Editor - Documentary
• Editorial Photographer / Photojournalist
• Landscape Photographer
• Portrait Photographer
• Reporter / Journalist
• Senior Editor
• Executive Producer
• Digital Content Creator
• Podcast Producer
• Social Media Producer
• Audio Storyteller
• Copy Editor
• Copywriter

Full-service video production company based in Chicago. We provide professional, affordable and accessible video content for businesses and special events! Our services include video production, photography, graphic design, content marketing, web design and branding. Our post-production team provides color grading, special effects, title animations, motion graphics, flashy transitions, etc. and can deliver it in any format you need. What makes us different than others in our industry is our approach from concept to execution. We have professional in-house storytellers dedicated to conveying your brand's message, event or special moment through video while also offering all the services you need to help establish your business, create awareness and gain more customers. We take our time to make sure the final product is perfect and aligns with your goals. We are dedicated to our work and love what we do. Contact us for your next project or event, we would love to work with you!

• Production Company
• Documentary DP
• Commercial DP
• Creative Director
• Video Editor - Commercial
• Video Editor - Documentary
• Fixer
• Production Assistant
• Corporate Videographer
• Drone Operator
• Animator / Visual Effects Artist
• Editorial Photographer / Photojournalist
• Portrait Photographer
• Product Photographer
• Landscape Photographer
• Fashion Photographer
• Post-Production Manager
• Colorist
• Senior Producer / Project Manager
• Motion Graphics Designer

Hunter N. Johnson is a documentary filmmaker, photographer and editor whose projects seek to advance human rights through visual storytelling. His work has been featured on CBS, The Atlantic, PBS, AFI Docs, and has garnered over 16 million online views. For four years Hunter worked with The Perennial Plate, a two-time James Beard Award-winning and Emmy-nominated traveling documentary team creating short documentaries on the human stories behind sustainable food production. Hunter has created videos for Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International and is currently producing a project for the UN Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism. In 2020, Hunter directed and edited a viral, nonpartisan video featuring four Minnesota Governors calling for civility in the 2020 election, garnering more than four million views and featured on multiple primetime national cable programs. In 2021, Hunter completed a documentary film following two independent journalists who report on disappearances in Mexico. It was screened at 11 international film festivals and is now available online at untilwefindthem.com In 2022, Hunter edited a short documentary for CBS News about the political crisis and democratic backsliding in Hong Kong. Hunter is fluent in Spanish, and has a Masters of Human Rights from the Humphrey School of Public Affairs, with a concentration in Arts Advocacy.

• News Shooter / Video Journalist
• Documentary DP
• Video Editor - Documentary
• Editorial Photographer / Photojournalist
• Portrait Photographer
• Landscape Photographer
• Video Editor - Commercial
• Non-Fiction Film Director

Bilgin graduated from Azerbaijan State University of Culture and Fine Arts in 1997 with a degree as a Movie Director. The following year he returned to his native Turkey where he embarked on a journalism career when he was hired as a news coordinator with a local Turkish newspaper, Korfezde Olay, in Balikesir. A year later, he began compulsory service in the Turkish Air Force as a reserve officer. Upon completion, he returned to journalism and joined the Ihlas News Agency (IHA) in 2000. There he served as a correspondent and was handed international assignments in 30 nations. He was also a war correspondent in Iraq in 2004 and in Palestine, covering the ongoing Israeli-Palestine conflict.   Bilgin joined The Anadolu Agency (AA) in 2007, one of the world’s largest and preeminent news organizations. Initially based in AA’s headquarters office in Ankara, Turkey, he traveled to more than 30 countries while accompanying dignitaries and senior Turkish officials during their overseas missions.   He transferred to AA’s New York City office in 2011, where he has covered U.S. national news, including the Boston Marathon bombings; Moore, Oklahoma tornado; West, Texas, fertilizer plant explosion and the protests in Ferguson, Missouri. Bilgin’s pictures, videos and news reports have been published and broadcast in some of the world’s most respected and prestigious media outlets. He is continuing to his career as a freelancer.   He is father of two.

• News Shooter / Video Journalist
• Corporate Videographer
• Drone Operator
• Editorial Photographer / Photojournalist
• Product Photographer
• Portrait Photographer
• Mobile Journalist / Livestreamer
• Fixer

Zoe Rain (American, b. 1993) is a photographer and filmmaker based in Chicago, with over a decade of experience in nearly every subject of the commercial photography field. Zoe’s work gained quick notoriety with its iconic and distinguished signature style, and has since seen the cover of Rolling Stone, subway car ads and Billboards across the country. After being hired as Macklemore’s full time tour photographer, she has since worked with some of the world’s largest musicians, including Chance The Rapper, Ed Sheeran, Christina Aguilara, Kesha and Vic Mensa. Zoe’s high-impact photography and creative direction has been leveraged by some of the largest brands in the industry. She has been hosted to speak at Apple Talks, as well as industry panels across the country.

• Portrait Photographer
• Product Photographer
• Event Photographer
• Editorial Photographer / Photojournalist

Hi, I'm Carlee. I'm a 2016 graduate of Columbia College Chicago where I earned my BA in television. Since I have worked as a freelance videographer on a wide range of projects. I joined the media team as a producer and editor on Research Vessel Sikuliaq, where my team and I documented the research and discoveries being done by scientists from the University of Alaska Fairbanks. I've worked with musicians in Denver and currently create content for a local Chicago band. I have worked with clients including All Hands and Hearts disaster relief nonprofit, Mainstay Therapeutic Farms, and Decoma Day Camp.

• Field Producer
• Video Editor - Documentary
• Non-Fiction Film Director
• Documentary DP
• Corporate Videographer
• Line Producer / On-Location
• Production Assistant
• Video Editor - News
• Video Editor - Commercial
• Portrait Photographer
• Commercial DP

Sean is an award-winning cinematographer focusing on narrative filmmaking and commercial/documentary projects. His work has been featured on Rolling Stone, Vice/Noisey, Spin, and the Chicago Reader. His first feature film “Bad Animal” (Directed by Remsy Atassi) is currently on the 2021 festival circuit. The web-series “Choose Me” (Directed by Hannah Gamble) has won several awards and is currently showing at festivals around the globe. Sean has photographed for clients including Condé Nast, Blue Buffalo, Optimum Nutrition, NBC Universal, Ram Trucks, Center for American Progress, and White Claw to name a few. He’s also a co-founder of Emulsion Lab, a visual studio focused on narrative films.

• Creative Director
• Portrait Photographer
• Production Company
• Gaffer
• Commercial DP
• Documentary DP
• Executive Producer
• Non-Fiction Film Director
• Post-Production Manager
• Senior Editor

My name is Joel Witte. I've been in the television industry for 30 years. I've worked in places all over the country including 20 years in Washington, DC. I've shot news. I've shot documentaries of one for Emmys five Kellys 25 White House press photographer awards including eight first place awards.

• News Shooter / Video Journalist
• Corporate Videographer
• Documentary DP
• Drone Operator
• Production Company
• Video Editor - News
• Video Editor - Documentary
• Editorial Photographer / Photojournalist
• Event Photographer
• Landscape Photographer
• Portrait Photographer
• Product Photographer

Caria Taylor (b.2003) is an African American artist raised in Detroit, MI. She is currently obtaining a bachelors of liberal arts and science in Economics at Wayne State University. Known for her documentary and street portraiture. There is an investment in highlighting black and brown communities through her eyes.

• Portrait Photographer
• Fashion Photographer
• Editorial Photographer / Photojournalist
• Production Assistant
• Creative Director

I graduated from Columbia College Chicago with a degree in Cinematography. I have since helped stand up a small film and media production company here in Chicago before venturing out into the world of freelance photo and video journalism full time. I have an eye for details and a passion for my craft.

• News Shooter / Video Journalist
• Corporate Videographer
• Documentary DP
• Commercial DP
• Production Assistant
• Grip
• Editorial Photographer / Photojournalist
• Reporter / Journalist
• Portrait Photographer
• Event Photographer
• Fashion Photographer
• Landscape Photographer

Hola! My name is Vigo Vargas-Salicetti. I am a first generation, Venezuelan/American multidisciplinary Artist, born and raised in Miami, FL. Currently I reside in Chicago, IL where I run (along with some insanely talented friends), the Production Collective// Comedy ensemble PLAYGROUND SOCIAL.

• Creative Director
• Art Director
• Non-Fiction Film Director
• Fashion Photographer
• Senior Producer / Project Manager
• Production Company
• Digital Content Creator
• Portrait Photographer
• Series Producer / Show Runner
• Translator
• Copywriter
• On-Camera Talent
• Audio Storyteller
• Executive Producer
• Full-Service Live Production
• Line Producer / On-Location

Professional Director of Photography, Videographer, Multicamera Director and Photographer for 30+ years. I am great at telling a story visually and will take what a producer desires beyond their expectations. Great with clients, on location early, all the needed gear and a great sense of humor.

• Documentary DP
• Commercial DP
• Corporate Videographer
• Creative Director
• Field Producer
• Editorial Photographer / Photojournalist
• Event Photographer
• Landscape Photographer
• Portrait Photographer
• Product Photographer
• Fixer
• Mobile Journalist / Livestreamer
• Production Assistant

Jon Wes is a photographer, DP and Editor in Chicago, IL. His work ranges from editorial, narrative, promo and product.

• Commercial DP
• Video Editor - Documentary
• Video Editor - Commercial
• Fixer
• Documentary DP
• Creative Director
• Editorial Photographer / Photojournalist
• Portrait Photographer
• Video Editor - News

Model, turned photographer, turned hand model, turned filmmaker. My point of view is as unique as my origin story.

• Creative Director
• Documentary DP
• Series Producer / Show Runner
• Corporate Videographer
• Non-Fiction Film Director
• Fixer
• Production Assistant
• Editorial Photographer / Photojournalist
• Event Photographer
• Portrait Photographer
• Product Photographer

• Non-Fiction Film Director
• Documentary DP
• Corporate Videographer
• Creative Director
• Art Director
• Storyboard Artist
• Editorial Photographer / Photojournalist
• Portrait Photographer
• Product Photographer