Chicago Headshot Photography

Compelling professional headshots for your Chicago, IL area business. Make a statement without using words.

Karen Forsythe Photography

What I do is make great headshots of people, for all the many ways they need them. Whether someone needs a simple headshot or a spectacular photograph of them doing what they do best, I consider every single project a unique challenge. In every situation, though, I want to deliver to you what you need and love.

Business Headshots

Are you a business person or professional or entrepreneur? You may need a traditional headshot, vertically oriented with a simple background, OR you may need something non-traditional. You in your office, in an interesting part of your building, outside your building? Still, corporate headshots should be about YOU, not the place.

Personal Headshots

Let’s face it. Everyone needs a a great photograph of themselves for social media, or sharing with family and friends. As we get older, in most photographs we are in we are part of a group, which is great, but to have a portrait or headshot of us alone, at a certain stage in life, with a certain look, is really a gift to both us and people we care about. Your headshot is a lasting memory of who you are, now, and has so many uses.

Actor Headshots

Are you an actor? Then your professional headshot will be close up, mid-chest and above. It’s meant to sell YOU. The focus is on YOU, not your clothing, a style, a background or any accessories. Actor headshots require limited retouch and it should reflect what you look like in real life. No modeling, no hands, not hats, no sunglasses. Just a shot that captures the essence of and personality of….YOU as an actor…..looking directly at the camera.

Corporate Headshots

Some businesses require a certain look, with a certain background so that all the headshots of their team or company look like they belong together, instead of a “hodge podge” of images individuals have provided from anywhere–their phone, cut from a group picture, etc. Corporate headshots need a cohesive, polished look when they all appear on one page, while still showing personality!

Have You Found The Right Chicago Headshot Photographer For You?
You already know that what you need is not just a headshot…
In fact, it goes much deeper than a simple portrait — Your professional headshot is a critical element of your personal branding and online presence.

Your desire to look your absolute best and portray the right image of who you are and what you stand for, while making an instant indelible impact on others is part of what makes the search for headshot photographers more challenging.

your chicago headshot photographer

Meet Karen Forsythe

I’m Karen at Karen Forsythe Photography, and I specialize in creative headshots and personal branding photography in the Chicago, IL area. My focus is on creating beautiful and wow-worthy images for actors and people in business.

Don’t settle for just a headshot…

Call me today at 708-751-0009 for a friendly chat to find out how we can make you look your best and work together to create the perfect headshot for you.

One of the greatest pleasures that I have as a headshot photographer in Chicago, IL is surprising people with how good they really look.

Even though we have been able to get out after months of isolation due to the pandemic, many people are working online!

Phone and Zoom conversations are great, but your professional headshot is a lasting memory of who you are to whoever you need to talk with. It’s your digital business card.

Your best headshot will take you a long way. Make it a good one.

What People Say

My headshot was right on. You captured precisely what I needed and I knew right when I saw it. I didn't feel hurried or rushed at all. I've been on Facebook since the start of it and I have never garnered this much engagement. Not even my photos with celebrities LOL. My headshot is a hit!

Khaliah Williams

KD Crown Consulting

Karen's professionalism and her impeccable attention to detail to work towards the'right shot', is amazing. Her knowledge and talent, put into action, is really something to experience. I can't say enough about Karen's commitment to her profession; she is passionate about 'getting it right'. Thank you !

Rick Pagano

Wojan Window & Door Corp

We used Forsythe Photo for our staff headshots and we’re thrilled with her work! Karen was able to capture each person’s personality, while giving us a style suitable to and consistent with our brand. The quality of her photography is outstanding and she’s very pleasant to work with prior to and during the photoshoots! We LOVE the business headshots. We have gotten so many great comments (internally and externally) about them. They’ve definitely upped the classiness of our website!

MARY BELLUS

Aspen Group

Karen, you've done some absolutely amazing photos here. It was a tremendous pleasure to work with you and I'll recommend you to my friends looking for a headshot photographer without hesitation -- thanks again!

I hate being in front of the camera, but she immediately put me at ease and took some amazing shots that I really love. (High praise from someone who, up until meeting Karen, had not liked a single photo that was taken of her!) Great work, fabulous follow through, etc

Karen worked with me every step of the way, beginning with a personalized approach to the photo shoot to meet my goals, including a consultation on clothing, hair and makeup. She created a very relaxed, calm atmosphere while quietly directing me through each pose. Karen knows how to get the "best shot" using different lighting techniques. As I am usually the individual taking all of the family snapshots, it is wonderful to have Karen create portraits of me. She does beautiful work and creates truly complimentary photos. All mothers should gift their families with a wonderful portrait of themselves!

Have A Question?

Looking for a first-time, or updated headshot? Do you need one, or more Chicago headshots? Whether you are just getting started, and need something for LinkedIn or other social media, or you are an actor and need 5-6 headshots for various roles for which you want to be cast, we can work together to get what you need. In every situation, we work together on your project, from planning the look you want, to nailing the expression.

A great headshot is critical to make that all-important first impression count and create the best possible impact.

To make that happen, I retouch all final images, to the degree you need and want. Retouching means helping you look well-rested and YOU. The extent of retouching wholly depends on the purpose of the headshot, and your taste. Obviously, if you have your photographer remove all lines, skin texture, and take 20 years off of you, not only will your headshot look plastic and fake, but when people meet you they will NOT recognize you. No matter how awesome you looked when you were 20, that look is not naturally maintainable, and you are better served looking like the best YOU, NOW, that you can be. Still, there is a lot I can do to help. Good hair and makeup, well-fitting clothes, showing confidence and warmth in your expression and body language, great lighting to “fill-in” lines and wrinkles are all ways I can help. I want your eyes to sparkle and your personality to shine. There are many ways to create a great headshot, and I’m here to help!