The Second Half Photography

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The Second Half Photography Former breast surgeon turned photographer โ€” I traded the OR for the sidelines, still chasing focus, precision & heart.

The Second Half Photography โ€” telling the stories of young athletes so they can see what the world already sees. ๐Ÿ“ธโœจ Since 2014, I worked as a breast surgical oncologist, empowering women through their journeys with breast cancer treatment. It was deeply meaningful work that shaped who I am. But after three years of juggling spine surgeries, in 2025, I knew it was time to make big changes in the second half of my career. I put down the scalpel and picked up a camera. I want to continue empowering girls, women, and anyone whoโ€™s ever felt unseen โ€” capturing their strength, beauty, and spirit in every frame. Through the lens of my camera, photography has become more than a creative outlet; itโ€™s a way to help people truly see themselves at their strongest, most beautiful, and most genuine. From the grit of an athlete mid-game, to the confidence radiating in a senior portrait, to the quiet power of an unguarded moment, my goal is always the same: to reflect back their worth, their truth, and the undeniable spark of their spirit. I want every girl to walk away knowing she is powerful, capable, and unforgettable. Now, youโ€™ll most often find me courtside, camera in hand, capturing my two basketball-loving daughters in action. Itโ€™s a world away from the operating room, yet still rooted in the same principles: focus, precision, and heart. Hereโ€™s to fresh starts, unexpected turns, finding power and beauty in the shift, and to making every second half count.

From ๐Ÿ€ to ๐Ÿฉฐ, I love that my โ€œofficeโ€ is ever-changing, but the incredible athletes I get to work with are always amazing...
10/10/2026

From ๐Ÿ€ to ๐Ÿฉฐ, I love that my โ€œofficeโ€ is ever-changing, but the incredible athletes I get to work with are always amazing. Thank you, miss Amelia for a wonderful afternoon full of snow and sparkly shoes. โ„๏ธ ๐Ÿ‘ 

10/09/2026

โœจ๐ŸŽ„ BELIEVE IN MAGIC - BUT ONLY UNTIL OCT 18! ๐ŸŽ„โœจ

I waved my candy cane wand through the air, sprinkled a little Christmas magic around my Monticello Community Building โ€œstudio,โ€ and somehow ended up with an entire wardrobe collection! ๐Ÿช„๐Ÿฌ

From cozy pajamas to sparkling sequins, gorgeous dresses, and everything in between, I've curated the wardrobe for every Christmas scene! Because sometimes the outfits deserve their own moment in the spotlight, too. ๐Ÿ“ธ

And moms, this is your cue to exhale! โค๏ธ No need to coordinate the perfect outfits for everyone. Just get the family here, and we'll pull the whole look together when you arrive. I've already done the shopping for you! ๐Ÿ˜‚

A HUGE thank-you to all the wonderful local shops that helped me create this winter wonderlandโ€”whether they knew they were helping or not! โค๏ธ Consider yourself tagged - couldn't have done this without you!

โ”โ”โ”โ”โ”โ”โ”โ”โ”โ”โ”โ”โ”โ”โ”โ”โ”โ”โ”โ”

๐ŸŽ„ NOW FOR MY NEXT MAGIC TRICK...

Making the remaining Christmas session openings disappear! โœจ๐Ÿ˜‚

The sets are ready. The wardrobe is waiting. All that's missing is YOU!

โœจ 15 minutes | $150 | 3 digital images

โœจ 25 minutes | $250 | 5 digital images

๐Ÿ“ Monticello, IL
โฐ Limited studio dates through October 18!

https://thesecondhalfphotography.pixieset.com/booking/

Because even a candy cane wand can't make more studio dates appear! ๐Ÿช„๐ŸŽ„

The Second Half Photography

๐ŸŽ…๐Ÿ’Œ Dear Santa, all I want this year are photos with The Second Half Photography ๐Ÿ“ธ๐ŸŽ„You bring the people you love, and Iโ€™l...
10/09/2026

๐ŸŽ…๐Ÿ’Œ Dear Santa, all I want this year are photos with The Second Half Photography ๐Ÿ“ธ๐ŸŽ„

You bring the people you love, and Iโ€™ll bring the Christmas magic. ๐ŸŽโ„๏ธ

๐Ÿ“… Oct 10, 11, 16 & 17
โฐ 15 or 25 min sessions
๐Ÿ“ Monticello, IL

Holiday Minis in Monticello, IL! Choose your backdrop and let me bring it to life.

15 min. 1 backdrop. 3 digitals.
$150
https://thesecondhalfphotography.pixieset.com/booking/Studio-Christmas-Mini-Session-15-minutes

25 min. 2 backdrops. 5 digitals.
$250
https://thesecondhalfphotography.pixieset.com/booking/studio-christmas-mini-session-25-minutes

Homecoming weekend continues with Monticello High School varsity boys soccer! โšฝ๐Ÿ’œ๐Ÿ’›The Second Half Photographyโ€™s own Jack ...
10/03/2026

Homecoming weekend continues with Monticello High School varsity boys soccer! โšฝ๐Ÿ’œ๐Ÿ’›

The Second Half Photographyโ€™s own Jack Krumtinger was on the sidelines capturing the action! He got the sidelines. I got the computer. Pretty sure he got the more fun end of that deal. Well played, Jack, well played ๐Ÿ˜‚

Enjoy this first lookโ€”more coming soon in the full gallery, where you can shop photos and keepsakes. Go Sages!

10/01/2026

Grit. Game faces. Letโ€™s go. ๐Ÿ€๐Ÿ–ค

The Monticello Middle School - Official Site Sages girls are ready to take on Argenta-Oreana tonight. Time to bring the energy and leave it all on the court. ๐Ÿ’œ๐Ÿ’›

The 8th-grade Sages came out strong and opened their season with a decisive WIN! ๐Ÿ€๐Ÿ”ฅ Letโ€™s keep it rolling tonight, girls...
09/29/2026

The 8th-grade Sages came out strong and opened their season with a decisive WIN! ๐Ÿ€๐Ÿ”ฅ Letโ€™s keep it rolling tonight, girls! ๐Ÿ’œ๐Ÿ’›

The full gallery is coming soon, with photos and keepsakes available to purchase!

Feel free to share these sneak peeksโ€”just keep my little watermark on the roster. No cutting it from the team! ๐Ÿ˜‰ Purchased digital images come watermark-free.

First game in the books for the 7th-grade Sages girls! ๐Ÿ€ A tough loss to start the season, but plenty of heart and hustl...
09/29/2026

First game in the books for the 7th-grade Sages girls! ๐Ÿ€ A tough loss to start the season, but plenty of heart and hustle to build on.

Back on the court tonight and ready to get after it. Letโ€™s go, Sages! ๐Ÿ’œ๐Ÿ’›

The full gallery is coming soon, with photos and keepsakes available to purchase!

Enjoy the sneak peeks and feel free to shareโ€”just let my little watermark tag along. Itโ€™s part of the team, too! ๐Ÿ˜‰ Purchased digital images come watermark-free.

๐ŸŽ„ Holiday Studio Minis in MONTICELLO, ILLINOIS ๐ŸŽ„โœจ 15 minutes โ€” $150One backdrop + 3 digital imagesโœจ 25 minutes โ€” $250Two...
09/28/2026

๐ŸŽ„ Holiday Studio Minis in MONTICELLO, ILLINOIS ๐ŸŽ„

โœจ 15 minutes โ€” $150
One backdrop + 3 digital images

โœจ 25 minutes โ€” $250
Two backdrops + 5 digital images

Additional images will be available to purchase from your online gallery.

Fierce on the court. Funny between takes. A little soft, a little edge, and a whole lot of personality. ๐Ÿ’œ๐Ÿ’›The Monticello...
09/28/2026

Fierce on the court. Funny between takes. A little soft, a little edge, and a whole lot of personality. ๐Ÿ’œ๐Ÿ’›

The Monticello Middle School girls kick off their basketball season tonight, so hereโ€™s a little Media Day preview! I may be just a tiny bit partial to #10 and #42โ€”those two call me Mom. ๐Ÿ˜‰

Go get โ€™em, Sages! ๐Ÿ€

He put decals on cars in the 90s and it shows! Canโ€™t wait to debut this tomorrow! Stay tuned!
09/26/2026

He put decals on cars in the 90s and it shows! Canโ€™t wait to debut this tomorrow! Stay tuned!

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Monticello, IL

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