Shelley Anderson Photography

Check out my new blog!

2009-09-12T09:47:00.001-05:00

Hello! I have a new blog now, so please check it out. I won't be making posts here any more.

Lisa and Karl's Wedding

2009-08-25T19:18:00.016-05:00

I was more than honored when Lisa and Karl asked me to be their wedding photographer last year. I've known Lisa for a very long time since she is a close friend of my older sister, Nikki, and I couldn't have been happier to share in her wedding day.

We took the majority of the days photos at Lisa's parent's home in Island Lake. I love that we were able to take photos next to the hammock in the backyard, where Karl proposed. Another highlight of the day was the Rolls Royce limo, a big surprise from Lisa's parents.

The ceremony was at Transfiguration Church in Wauconda. Lisa and Karl hosted all 350+ of their guests at Meridian Banquets in Rolling Meadows. It was a fabulous wedding and a great party, complete with an authentic Italian wedding band and a crasher!

Debbie and Pete at Promontory Point

2009-07-24T21:17:00.009-05:00

Debbie and Pete had a beautiful wedding at Promontory Point in Chicago. The panoramic views of Lake Michigan and the Chicago skyline were a breathtaking backdrop for their day.

Harrison and the Family

2009-06-29T21:35:00.010-05:00

I recently shot some photos of Harrison (and a few with Mom and Dad, too). What an adorable little guy!

The Missouri Project

2009-05-22T08:32:00.002-05:00

I feel a strong personal connection to Missouri through my family's history and my childhood. I grew up outside of Kansas City and spent my childhood visiting different areas in Missouri. A few of my favorite memories include visiting my Grandma near Silex, annual trips to the Lake of the Ozarks for family reunions, summer 4-H camp in Independence, and discovering things like the Magic House and the Arch in St. Louis. My family moved to a suburb of Chicago when I turned 11, but I returned to the state for college. I attended MU from 1998-2002. I now live in Chicago again, but I love to visit Missouri every chance I get. I still have lots of family and friends in the state, and I gained a whole new family in the region through my husband, who is originally from Joplin. When I venture to the state I always see something new and interesting. I am inspired to get out my camera and shoot each and every time.

I have a background in photojournalism, and am always pursuing different avenues in my photography. Currently I make a living as a photographer, shooting mostly weddings, events, family portraits and commercial work. I don't get the opportunity to concentrate on my own personal artwork as often as I'd like. That's why I've dedicated one whole week this summer to spend traveling through Missouri with nothing to do but take photographs of my surroundings. I am inspired to tell the story of the people of Missouri through portraits and documentary style photographs.

What will ultimately happen with the photographs from my project is still somewhat abstract. I will definitely be posting images from the project on my web site. I hope to have a gallery exhibition of the photos as well. I would also like to self-publish a book about the project. Each person that I photograph will need to sign a model release.

I am looking for people willing to have me photograph them in their natural surroundings in their every day lives. The shoot can take as little as 1-2 hours or as much as a whole day, depending on your willingness for me to tag along throughout your daily routine. I'm happy to provide each participant a print of one of the photographs. I will be traveling through Missouri June 6-13, and the outline of my destinations are somewhat flexible. If you are interested in participating in the project, or if you have questions in general, please contact me at anderson.shelley@gmail.com or 847-754-5256. I look forward to meeting new people, reconnecting with friends and family, and becoming inspired by their stories.

The Missouri Project-Cleo and Judy

2009-05-22T08:17:00.008-05:00

I was happy when Cleo and Judy of Harrisburg, Missouri agreed to be the first subjects of my Missouri Project back in March. Harrisburg is a small town, just north of Columbia. They graciously showed me their home and property. Cleo was in the midst of planting some trees on his property, a conscious effort to curb global warming. As a former minister and world traveler, Cleo has an interesting past with great stories.

Reginald Coleman's work

2009-05-11T16:03:00.007-05:00

I recently photographed a spectacular body of work by artist Reginald Coleman. His incorporation of maps into his art creates interesting details and beautiful abstract imagery. These are just a few of the pieces from his collection. I look forward to seeing the launch of his new web site in the near future.

Work by JEBaker

2009-04-07T08:51:00.006-05:00

Chicago artist JE Baker recently asked me to take a few photos of her current artwork. There are some intriguing pieces!

Ana, Brad and Liam

2009-03-31T21:45:00.004-05:00

Here are some photos from a recent family portrait session with Ana, Liam and Brad!

The Farm and Conservation

2009-02-22T10:21:00.000-06:00

My grandmother’s farm is a constant inspiration for my photography. I recently visited the farm and, of course, took a lot of photos. Usually, I love to wander the fields and photograph the buildings and landscape of the farm. I did do a little of that, but I was more intrigued to document the inside of her house this time. In my 28 years of life, all of my familiar surroundings consistently change. Her home and the farm is the only permanent variable I can think of in my lifetime.

I consider the environment a lot in my work. A recurring theme includes landscapes, nature, and our environmental surroundings in general. It wasn’t until I started photographing the inside of her home that I realized I was continuing this concept. It is hard to deny that my grandma is a conservationist when you consider the fact that most of her furniture is several decades old. One of the most important elements of conservation is valuing what you have, taking care of it, and not throwing it away.

In a society that values cheap furniture from Ikea, it is refreshing to hear my grandma talk about her furniture. There is a history and a story behind where each of the following pieces came from, and she’s had them for decades. Here are some the photographs.

Pinhole photos in Chicago

2009-01-29T20:02:00.001-06:00

Chinatown, New Year's Day, 2009

Acoustic Sideshow at Schuba's on Inauguration Night

2009-01-26T10:06:00.001-06:00

Stolie and Scott of the Acoustic Sideshow celebrated the Inauguration with their fans at Schuba's. Check out some of the photos from the evening.

Tom Geoghegan for Congress

2009-01-22T08:04:00.000-06:00

Tom Geoghegan is one of 15 candidates running in the special election for 5th Congressional District of Illinois. I recently met him and updated his campaign photos. A pleasant man with great ideals!

The Farm and The Environment

2008-12-13T12:45:00.000-06:00

I am pleased to announce my show at No Friction Cafe at 2023 N California, Chicago, IL. The work features a black and white study of my grandmother's farm and the environment. The photos concentrate on my experiences with pinhole and medium format photography. Please visit No Friction Tuesday through Sunday to see the show . They are open until 4:00 pm. The show will be on display through January 2009.

Election Night in Grant Park

2008-11-05T21:42:00.000-06:00

Lisa and Karl

2008-10-30T22:29:00.000-05:00

Lisa and Karl's engagement session near Cafe Brauer was a blast! You can view all of the photos here.

Megan and Dave at Galleria Marchetti

2008-10-18T13:16:00.000-05:00

Val and Rob

2008-09-26T08:01:00.000-05:00

Val and Rob had a fantastic wedding this September at the Cuneo Museum. You can't beat Elvis and a pink mansion.

Mike & Megan's wedding

2008-08-28T08:51:00.000-05:00

Mike and Megan got married on July 26. They had the perfect wedding, with a daytime luncheon and a party at the Cubby Bear North that night. I've never seen a more relaxed bride and groom! You can view all of the photos from the wedding here.

Sugarcraft at Kasia Kay Projects

2008-08-16T10:13:00.000-05:00

The recent Sugarcraft Exhibition at Kasia Kay Projects in Chicago received a lot of local and national press. Here is an article featured in American Craft Magazine. The show has been taken down, but curator Wynter Whiteside plans to take it across the country. Check out some photos from the exhibit.

DIALOGUE

2008-07-23T21:37:00.000-05:00

Jennifer Baker and Barbara Wakefield recently completed DiaLOGue, an installation at Gallery Uno at 410 S Michigan Ave in Chicago, IL. The project was a two week conversation between the artists. I was asked to document the progression of the work throughout the two weeks. Check out a few of the photos.

Chicago

2008-06-21T13:51:00.001-05:00

Poi Dog Pondering

2008-06-11T12:22:00.001-05:00

Poi Dog Pondering played at a party this week at Millennium Park.

Missouri Sunset

2008-06-02T22:43:00.001-05:00

Barbara Wakefield's Installation

2008-05-29T07:22:00.000-05:00

I recently photographed Barbara Wakefield's installation at Dubhe Carreno Gallery. I love the way she uses different textures in her pieces. It evokes a wonderful sense of touch. This work is up through the end of May.

Samantha and Brad

2008-05-06T00:02:00.000-05:00

On May 3, 2008 I photographed Sam and Brad's wedding with Misty Winter. Ceremony-Alice Millar Chapel in Evanston, IL; Reception-Deer Path Inn in Lake Forest, IL.

2008-04-28T23:07:00.000-05:00

Barbara Hashimoto's Junk Mail Project

2008-04-20T16:53:00.000-05:00

Chicago-based artist Barbara Hashimoto hired me to shoot her most recent installation of her Junk Mail project. Video and sound by Michael Kozien. The exhibition can be viewed at 2003 S Halsted in Chicago through the end of May.

Cage and Aquarium raises money for DonorsChoose.org

2008-04-14T13:13:00.000-05:00

Cage and Aquarium Productions hosted an event to raise money for DonorsChoose.org on Saturday, April 12 at the Globe Pub in Chicago. Tyler Huffman, Stolie, Twan, and Al provided live music and deejaying throughout the night. There was great attendance including many teachers and the company raised almost $1000 for a local educational project!

Chicago Magazine Debut

2008-03-28T13:17:00.000-05:00

My photos of the Chicagoans of the Year Luncheon were featured in the most recent issue of Chicago Magazine!

First Entry

2008-03-17T15:19:00.000-05:00

This is my first blog entry! On this blog you will be able to follow everything I do photographically. Visit frequently as I will be shooting a lot!