I am thrilled to introduce to you one of my favorite humans I've met on this planet.  She's beautiful inside and out and shares her amazing artistic eye through her photos Beverly Modloff.   Bev is someone I met while working at Wolf Camera in Skokie, IL for a short time.  Although I only worked with her less than a year we really bonded over art, photography, and life.   Bev is a self-taught photographer who sees beauty within  nature capturing colorful images of wild animals and her various outdoor adventures. 

Bev studied art in college before she was drawn to photography.  She is a self-taught photographer who learned to develop her own film.  Her father-in-law a former Chicago police officer built a darkroom for her in the basement of her home.  ​

Bev's career as a photographer began when she was hired by the Skokie News in 1973 a suburb just North of Chicago.   She also did work for the Chicago Leader Post another Northside Chicago newspaper.  She worked at the Skokie News until 1979 when the paper went out of business and she continued to do freelance work after that time. 

Taken from a Florida publication one of Bev's most embarrassing experiences happened while she was working a the Skokie News.  She was on assignment to photograph President Gerald Ford and at the time it was mostly men working in the industry.  She was pushed to the back during the event and wasn't able to get a good photo.  The Secret Service announced that the photo session was over.  Bev yelled out, "Wait, I didn't get to shoot him!"  She immediately was being escorted out by the security when Ford stopped them and said, "Come over here, honey, you can get all the shots you want."   

At the time she was taking photos she also photographed Ford's son Jack.  On Ford's next visit to Chicago, she presented the photographs to the President and received a "Thank You" note from the White House.   At future meetings Ford continued to recognize her, and call out to her , "Hi, Bev."

Bev has photographed Presidents Carter, Reagan, and George H.W. Bush as well as Mayer Richard Daly of Chicago.   She also photographed Prince Charles when he was attending a reception in Chicago.   On her list of celebrities is Marie and Donnie Osmond, Kris Kristofferson and his wife, Steve Allen, Don Rickles, Bob Newhart, Lanie Kazan, Dickie Smothers, and Kenny Rogers. 

For those Chicago Fans reading this she's also photographed the Chicago Bulls coach Phil Jackson, Bears coach Mike Ditka, along with players Jim McMahon, and Glae Sayer.   Cubs player Ernie Banks, and a Chicago Blackhawks player Stan Mikita.  ​

In 1978 Bev went on assignment in Cuba to do research for a book on Ernest Hemingway.   The book was a collaboration with Professor John Friend of the University of Illinois.  Unfortunately Fried died prior to the book being written.  Although the assignment was not completed this experience was one her greatest adventures of her career. 

Bev traveled with her four children to many National parks including Colorado where she climbed as high as 14,000 feet above sea level.   She was in danger at least two times once she was charged by an elk and on another, a she was face-to face with a grizzly bear.   

Bev is inspired by her love of traveling and people.   In general peoples lifestyles, nature, our National parks, and animals.   Life is inspiring to Bev which is why she's such a joy to be around and hopefully can inspire you to live out your dream.    She's definitely inspired me with her personality, outlook on life, and beautiful art that she creates.  

Bev continues to enjoy photography and produce coffee table books with her six grandchildren, birds and wildlife in Florida where she resides.   She also paints currently with watercolors which hang in her home.   She's always continuing to explore new techniques with artists in Avon Park and Lake Placid in Florida.  She has won numerous photography awards and her work on Cuba was displayed at the Skokie Library in Illinois. 

Every artist that I introduce I would like to inspire just one person.   

"My love and curiosity for the story behind the person and the place led me to a career in photojournalism.  In a time when images are becoming contrived and computer generated, I continue to capture life as it unfolds."
-Shauna Intelisano  

I am thrilled to introduce Shauna Intelisano a photographer that I met working in downtown Denver.  She has a way of just capturing beauty within the moments that would have normally been overlooked.   An artist that Portland, OR is lucky to have access to.  One of my most memorable experiences with Shauna as a photographer is when she photographed my wedding.  Shauna captured beautiful photos and helped preserve memories that will stay with me throughout my life.

Let's talk about love and your self-published book.

In 2008 I traveled to Cuba with a writer and we worked on a story about the change in leadership (after 50 years of Fidel). There I met my now husband and so I traveled back and forth for 3 years. I tried to work in Cuba but I was mainly there for love.   To raise money for my husbands transition to the U.S. I self-published a book of my work in Cuba titled "Dulce Tormento". It was a real labor of love. There are a few stories in there I wrote. I spent over 100 hours editing text and layout.  It can be viewed at this link to Dulce Tormento.

What kind of subjects do you shoot and what inspires you as a photographer?

People. Everyday people.  Not models or celebrities.  Just everyday unsung heroes.   Natural light, emotion, telling stories with images, capturing the beauty in the world .  Peoples vulnerability and strength.

Who is your biggest inspiration? 

So many it is hard to say. Inspirations are always changing as well. Todd Heisler (former Rocky Mountain News and now NYTimes), April Saul (Philadelphia Inquirer), Gabriela Herman (freelance), Nicolle Clemetson (Freelance), Rezza (Nat Geo), Mary Ellen Mark (freelance), David Walter Banks (freelance & represented)

"It is not the destination, it's the journey." -Shauna Intelisano