Jennifer Shaffer Photography

Jennifer Shaffer Photography I’m a photographer based in Chicago working with historic photographic processes to create intentional, handcrafted portraits — in studio and on location.

I grew up in a family of photographers. At every holiday, family reunion or get together, cameras were passed around and conversations were had about a photo taken and images shown for critique. To no one’s surprise, after high school, my love for the medium brought me to Chicago to major in photography at Columbia College. I began shooting weddings and family portraits prior to my move to Chicago

. Since I grew up in my father’s darkroom, I made a good fit as his photo assistant. With him, I learned the art of posing bridal parties, fitting 100+ family members into one photo, ensuring that the photo subjects have fun while doing it and that everyone looks natural…trust me, this is an art! My concentration in school was documentary and that enabled me to add this focus to the traditional style of shooting that I learned from my father. I know, first-hand, that each wedding evokes a unique feeling and emotion for the bride and groom but also the bridal party and the guests. My role is to capture these distinct moments and archive these once in a lifetime experiences. I apply a similar philosophy to family, newborn and maternity photography. I capture the interactions of family members to document their distinct relationships with each other but I also expand on the documentary approach with informally posed photographs that work for a family portrait or holiday card. One of the most gratifying things about being a photographer is the idea that, years down the road, someone will dust off the family album and open it to see an exceptional documentation of their family or their wedding day. My purpose when photographing is to ensure that the photos in that album capture a moment that tells the story of a family and experience and those photographs can be cherished for many years to come.

One of a kind 4x5 tintypes of Spring tulips.
05/01/2026

One of a kind 4x5 tintypes of Spring tulips.

Lily of the Valley are just starting to bloom in my Humboldt Park backyard. These perennials were planted over a decade...
04/30/2026

Lily of the Valley are just starting to bloom in my Humboldt Park backyard. These perennials were planted over a decade ago, sourced from my family farm in western Illinois.

Growing up, I would track the progress of Spring on the farm by the flowers blooming. These transplanted flowers always bring me back to memories of picking lilacs and Lily of the valley with my mom and grandma.
I often think about how the flowers I enjoyed as a child were the “relatives” of the blooms I’m cutting today. Keeping these plants alive is like keeping a family history alive - even though my city backyard is worlds away from the farm. Do you have plants that your family has shared over generations?

Anyway. These plates will also be available through my tintype store.

04/30/2026

I was mildly obsessed with my tulips this Spring. These one of a kind tintypes are available for purchase on my (new) website. Check out the store at chicagotintype.com or the linkin bio

04/29/2026

This is just the start of my Illinois River/Towns project that I will be working on this year.

Tulips - Spring 2026 My first attempt at growing tulips… and they made it. Through a new garden, a Chicago winter, and a...
04/28/2026

Tulips - Spring 2026
My first attempt at growing tulips… and they made it. Through a new garden, a Chicago winter, and a very curious puppy who thought bulbs were fair game.

They deserved proper portraits.

I’m drawn to their texture, their structure, the way each one feels like its own character. And that frilly bloom? I can’t unsee it — giving full Marilyn Monroe energy in that iconic wind-blown dress.

A small, fleeting thing… but worth slowing down for.

04/24/2026

Illinois River in tintype

The Illinois River at Starved Rock State Park in tintype.
04/11/2026

The Illinois River at Starved Rock State Park in tintype.

04/10/2026

I'm going to put my woodworking skills to use with a shadow box for the triptychs I have been capturing of parks in the city.

Sand Ridge State Forest, Illinois. There were cactus, too.
04/08/2026

Sand Ridge State Forest, Illinois. There were cactus, too.

01/18/2023

Through the camera and on film

Address

1757 N Kimball Unit 210
Chicago, IL
60647

Opening Hours

Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+17739917369

Website

https://www.jennifershafferphoto.com/

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