Portraits from North of Chicago

World-class universities, innovative entrepreneurs and an abundance of creative people make Evanston and the communities north of Chicago so vibrant.

VoyageChicago is all about supporting creatives and risk takers – from makeup artists, fashion designers and music producers to chefs, entrepreneurs and more. In our Portraits series we try to celebrate their work by sharing some of our favorite shots we’ve come across. We’ve share shots from North of Chicago below.

Health coach & food blogger Alexandra Hayden Shea

Today is a lesson in mindfulness. I’ve been camping out at my parents house because, why not? Especially when Boo is away for work. My mom made delicious flank steak the other night and I woke up starving this morning. I had this grand plan for steak and eggs (so American). I fried up my egg and baby kale (because greens, duh) and I heated up the steak. And I looked at the two pieces and I was so hungry I thought for sure I would eat all of it. I knew it was a lot but I was hungryyyyyyy! But hey, then I started eating and I didn’t look at my phone the whole time. I was just present with my meal, enjoying eat bite. And boom — by the time I got to part 2 of the steak- I definitely did not even want it – I was so full! So in summary, make the effort to be mindful while your eating and your eating patterns may change for the better! Also, I would’ve felt no shame if I had wanted the second piece- but if I was just eating it because it was there, that’s just wasteful! This steak lives on another meal! Happy hump day kids! #shedforthewed #shedapproved #brekky

A post shared by Alexandra Hayden Shea, CHHC (@shed.for.the.wed) on Feb 21, 2018 at 8:00am PST

Violinist Jeff Yang of Chicago Strings | Full service violin shop

All lined up waiting for the right person to take them home #cello #violin #viola #classical #antique #luthier #musicshop #evanston #chicago

A post shared by Jeff Yang (@chicago.strings.violins) on Feb 13, 2018 at 11:43am PST

Nicole Rogers | Makeup Artist & Hairstylist

#bts of my shoot with model *swipe for the final edits* @raejohnson__ 📸 @johngressmedia 💃🏾 @stefuknee_ The model arrived with her hair braided in two big sections. I curled the hair with 3/8 curling marcel and used a hair pic to increase volume throughout the shoot. I love natural hair! I finished with a sheen spray. #hairbynicolerogers #makeupbynicolerogers

A post shared by Chicago Makeup Artist (@nicolerogersbeauty) on Feb 21, 2018 at 5:05pm PST

Rebecca Haley Photography

When we lean up against walls, murals appear. Be on the lookout for our tiny desk video this Tuesday! 📷: @jocelynwoods5

A post shared by Straight Skinny (@straight.skinny) on Feb 18, 2018 at 2:18pm PST

Elliot Bennett | Bike Mechanic

60 degrees called for some Lakefront riding with a donut/coffee kicker. Matching game was strong today. #adventuredad

A post shared by Elliot Bennett (@elliotlovestarbicycles) on Feb 20, 2018 at 8:39am PST

Landscape Architect Marco Romani | Arrow | Land + structures

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays 🌿🎄✨Projects from 2017 – Our Oak Park color rendered landscape/swimming pool plan . ✍️ 🖌️ . . . . . . . #landscapearchitecture #landscapeplan #sketchmuseum #prismacolor #gardendesign #plantingdesign #pencilsketch #sketch_architect @arch_more #papodearquiteto #landscapearchrendering #interiordesign #sketchbook #archsketch #sketch_architect #markerdrawing @alvindrafting #maqueta #archisketcher #landscapedesign #digitaldrawing #landscapearchitect #illustration #arch_cad #arquitetapage #arquitecto #arqsketch #graphicdesign #arquitetura #arch_more

A post shared by ARROW. (land + structures) (@arrow_outdoor_design) on Dec 25, 2017 at 8:20am PST

Alice Feldt Photography

Craving green… . . . . . . . . . #chicago #chicagowedding #citybride #bridetobe #citywedding #weddingplanner #weddingplanning #weddinginspo #weddingphotographer #weddinginspiration #weddingphotography #wedding #weddingday #weddingideas #chicagoweddingphotographer #midwestweddingphotographer #bride #photography #eventphotography #💚 #green #fallwedding #evanston

A post shared by Alice Feldt Photography (@alicefeldtphoto) on Feb 17, 2018 at 10:56am PST

Lifestyle blogger Rachael | Midwest Dimples

Belly bumpin – N – Belly poppin. Cheers to the next few months of staring in my closet wishing I could fit in 90% of my clothes! I’m limiting the amount of maternity clothes in my closet and only purchasing things I can repurpose without a belly. That being said, I kind of went crazy at Forever 31 (ok fine, @forever21) because everything was on mega clearance (this sweater = $8!) • • • • • • #thriftymom #budgetstyle #pregnantlife #pregnantstyle #maternitystyle #maternityfashion #mommylife #momlife #momblog #outfitideas #outfitinspiration #whatiwore #ootd #momstyle #instamom #thehappynow #momblogger #ig_motherhood #fashionblogger #joyfulmamas #motherhoodsimplified

A post shared by Midwest Dimples (@midwestdimples) on Feb 18, 2018 at 8:57am PST

Jolane’s | Austrian-American Style Restaurant

Join us over the next two weeks to try the delicious #restaurantweek appetizer specials. • Grilled Lamb Pops with Brussels sprouts, caramelized onion, & mint jam • Deconstructed Spinach & Artichoke Dip with garlic flatbread

A post shared by Jolane's (@jolanescafe) on Jan 26, 2018 at 3:26pm PST

Nicole Morisco Photography

This sunshine is making me long for spring & summer outdoor sessions again 😩

A post shared by Nicole Morisco Photography (@nicolemoriscophotography) on Feb 16, 2018 at 1:39pm PST

Clay & Chloe | Jewelry store

Mellow yellow 💛 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . #clayandchloe#wickerpark#oldtownchicago#lincolnpark#lakeviewchicago#hydeparkchicago#goldcoastchicago#streeterville#rivernorth#oakstreetchicago#rushstreet#southloop#bucktown#knightsbridge#omotesandohills#champselysees#gallerieslafayette#malloftheemirates#bondstreet#avenuemontaigne#dubai#monaco#montecarlo#rodeodrive#michiganavenue#davidyurman#johnhardy#pamelalove#bergdorfgoodman#barneysnewyork

A post shared by clayandchloe (@clayandchloe) on Feb 15, 2018 at 10:02am PST

Erin Bahadur | Healthy living blogger

Today’s post talks about some of the reasons why you may not be seeing the results you want from your workouts. I haven’t posted a fitness post in a little while, so here you go! Link in bio 🤓💪

A post shared by Erin Bahadur (@erinsinsidejob) on Feb 21, 2018 at 7:49am PST

i love lamP Lighting | Lighting design company

Lighting can completely change the look of a room. Such as this wing of the field museum. . . . #fieldmuseum #chicago #lighting #ilovelamp #ilovelamplighting #chilovelamp #lightingdesign #designer #lightingdesigner #myjob #iloveit #pinlight #gobo #cool #igers #igdaily #igerschicago

A post shared by i love lamP Lighting (@ilovelamp_lighting) on Feb 17, 2018 at 10:35pm PST

Chef Jeffrey Crittenden

Spiced out… #garammasalapork #juicy #yellowdaal #sagegobi #trufflesauce #flavorful #indianfood #inspiredby #gaggan #vikaskhanna #cheflife #chefmeal #dinnertime #jeffdatchef

A post shared by Jeffrey Crittenden (@jeffreycrittenden) on Jan 30, 2018 at 6:31pm PST

Paul Schulman | Interior designer

Perfect day for a soak in this new master tub situation 🛀🏻 swipe for the before 👉🏼@kohlerco @rohlfaucets @rejuvenation #psdetails #bathroomremodel #beforeandafter #designbuild #chicagodesigner #interiordesign

A post shared by Paul Schulman (@paulschulman) on Feb 10, 2018 at 10:38am PST

Ingrained Granola | Food blog

🥕Carrot Lentil Curry Hummus with Rosemary Garlic Pistachio Granola Crostini — — — — — — — — — — — — Compliments of @imperfectproduce Wash 10-15 long carrots Place on baking sheet Add 1 tbsp olive oil Sprinkle 1 tsp minced garlic Sprinkle 1 tsp curry powder Roast at 425 degrees for 20 minutes — — — — — — — — — — — — To a saucepan add 4 cups water & 1 cup lentils Bring to a boil, then cover partially Simmer for 20 minutes — — — — — — — — — — — — In a food processor… Add the carrots 1 cup lentils 1/4 cup olive oil Pinch of salt Pulse until consistency is that of a spread Enjoy with fresh bread, multigrain chips, over roasted veggies, etc.

A post shared by Ingrained Granola (@ingrainedgranola) on Feb 18, 2018 at 11:55am PST

Photographer Mariia Seredokha

Photography it’s not about pushing the button. “Photography “ means painting with light 🌿 (c). . “Я участвую в конкурсе от Photostudy.me “ #mariia_seredokha_photography

A post shared by Chicago Wedding Photographer (@mariia_seredokha) on Feb 16, 2018 at 12:15pm PST

Personalized Floral Designs by Ceciel Coolegem

Cheerful and full of sweet little flowers and textures!⠀ *⠀ *⠀ *⠀ #cecielsflowers #chicagoflorist #northshore #chicago #dutch #florist #lovemyjob #bosslady #freshflowers #loveflowers #hustle #dutchfloristinchicago #entrepreneur #womanentrepreneur #voguemagazine #instyle #housebeautiful #architectualdigest #ranunculus #sweetpea #japaneese #waxflower #gerbradaisy #helleborus #pincushion #handtiedbouquet #colourful #textures #sweet

A post shared by Ceciel Coolegem -Fosco (@cecielsflowers) on Feb 21, 2018 at 4:02am PST

Photographer Nammy Park

Guys, winter is getting me down, but the sun stayed up till 4:30 last night!!!!! Throwback to summer and hanging with these ladies for #perfectlypinto ✨🌿

A post shared by Nammy Park (@nammyparkphoto) on Jan 18, 2018 at 5:56am PST

Photographer & Director Andrea Mandel

Working with your agent/sister is always a success #location #shoot #lifestylephotography #advertisingphotography #advertising #photoshoot #director #photographer #locationshoot

A post shared by Andrea Mandel (@andreamandelphotography) on Feb 22, 2018 at 1:51pm PST