Today we’d like to introduce you to Sheri Whitko.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Sheri. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
Studying at Penn State and photographing for the school newspaper was really where it began for me, though my Grandfather was known for shooting everyone’s weddings. I guess it was deep in my blood. I just loved events. Photographing Penn State football games, though I barely understand the game, was such a thrill. I loved the rallies and editorial work too. Shooting events, portraits, and people, in general, has been such a natural fit for me. In 1997, I started out working with John Reilly Photography in Chicago. Then, running and working with several studios in San Francisco, and I began my own business officially in 2003 in NYC. It was so much fun to grow and experience the different cities. My husband and I returned to Chicago in 2010 and started the next chapter in our adventures of life and photography.
Has it been a smooth road?
I have moved around a bit, and as much fun as that has been, it took some time to get re-established each time. I wouldn’t trade it for anything, though. Being able to explore San Francisco, photographing the city scapes at night, and soaking in the grit and energy of NYC were things that helped to mold me as a photographer. The people I’ve met and worked with along the way have had different perspectives and we’ve had different backdrops to work with which has made it so fun and always challenging. I love event work because it’s never dull. There’s always something happening, something to do, someone to shoot. I find portraiture really a wonderful change to get a little vignette into someone’s life you might not otherwise meet. Sometimes people are so nervous to have their photographs taken and I love being able to work with them to capture their essence.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Sheri Whitko Photography – tell our readers more, for example, what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
I photograph all kinds of events~ social (including weddings, milestone birthdays, mitzvahs, etc.), corporate, galas, and portraits, and headshots. Of course, I love to photograph travel images as well. That’s such a wonderful time when you truly have naked eyes to a new environment. I just feel so lucky. I’ve had great access to amazing people at generally very happy times in their lives often at unique and beautiful locations. I’ve photographed weddings in Cabo and Phil Mickelson on Pebble Beach. Some of my favorite events are these private parties with big-name bands. I have photographed Stevie Wonder, Keith Urban, Maroon 5, Counting Crows, and Lady Gaga to name a few. I have photographed President Bill Clinton a few times, and I also photographed Hillary Clinton when she was our First Lady. I’ve done commercial work for AT&T, Better Homes, and Gardens Real Estate, and recently traveled to LA and Dallas to shoot Ferrari’s new car reveals. I shoot a lot of charity events and galas and have had wonderful conversations with Sally Field and Kathy Bates in the process. I think the breadth of my work is wide and that is not typical for photographers. I love the decisive moment, the Cartier-Bresson documentary style of shooting, but I am also trained to shoot with studio lighting and use it often in portraiture, events, and commercial work. I have I can work with all types of personalities, and I am always smiling.
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
Chicago is straight up beautiful. It’s just so pretty and clean, which makes it a beautiful backdrop wherever you go. I love it when I can run a subject out in the middle of the street and shoot. It’s such a rush and it’s always beautiful. I also love the community. I work with the best team of photographers, the best vendors, such fun clients… I love how I have photographed couples and now I photograph their growing families. It’s so fun to see the different chapters of their lives. The mid-west is filled with some of the nicest people. I remember when we first moved back here we were constantly looking at each other wondering if people were really being serious. Could they really be that nice? My twin sister and I lived here together after college. I remember after we would come home to Chicago we would say to each other it was like putting on a warm blanket. Since my twin was diagnosed with breast cancer 7 years ago, I joined a charity group to raise money for breast cancer research, Lynn Sage Cancer Research Foundation. It’s made this wonderful city feel even smaller. Being on the executive board and now co-chairing our fall luncheon, I’m so excited to welcome Jill Kargman to our city on October 22nd. If you’re a fan and want to check it out~ https://lynnsage.org/event/fall-benefit-luncheon.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.sheriwhitko.com
- Instagram: @sheriwhitko
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sheriwhitkophotography
- Twitter: @swhitko
Getting in touch: VoyageChicago is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
