When you only have 10 seconds to take a portrait of Cindy Crawford...you hand hold a flash like a photo ninja and find a cool background. #jeffschearvisuals #FromThePortfolio
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#chicagophotographer #chicagophotography #cindycrawford #supermodel #photojournalist #documentaryphotography #photodocumentary #reportagespotlight #reportage #celebrity #celebrities #celebrityphotographer #model #top_portraits #fashionphotographer #postthepeople #instastyle #photoshoot #artofvisuals #adagency #fashionphotography #artdirection #artdirector
Today I had the chance to photograph actor Harry Shum Jr. (@harryshumjr ) at two Chicago landmarks (Willis Tower Sky Deck and Wrigley Field). He, actress @kelley_mack , and director @jacobgentry , were in town for the Chicago International Film Festival. Their movie Broadcast Signal Intrusion @darkskyfilms is showing this weekend. #jeffschearvisuals
Keep an eye out in stores for my new work for Kraft-Heinz and Jet-Puffed Marshmallows, bringing some fun "Easter dyed" marshmallows to life!
This image was part of a spring campaign built around a simple idea: transforming jumbo Jet-Puffed marshmallows into playful Easter-inspired characters and dyed shapes, all within a clean, bright color palette.
Grateful to the team who helped bring this colorful campaign to life.
Client: Kraft Heinz, Cindy (Tzu-Hsin) Kuo
Art Direction/Design: Arc Worldwide, David Hovey
Producer/Photographer/Retoucher: Jeff Schear
Food Stylist: Lisa T. Bishop
Prop Stylist: Amanda Wolfson
Digital Tech: Rudy Lorejo
1st Assistant: John Ruzich
I’m turning 40 today. And it’s definitely something worth reflecting on.
Especially as I prepare to welcome my first child, a little boy, into the world this August with my wife.
At this point in life, I’m far less impressed by public displays of success than I was at 20.
Back then, I was obsessed with becoming as successful as possible in the shortest amount of time possible.
I also thought I had it all figured out. That I had nothing left to learn.
But it turns out, it would take 20 more years of constant learning, trial, and error before I truly started to master my craft.
I’ve survived some brutal business environments: graduating into the Great Recession in 2008, then navigating a near total collapse of my business during the pandemic, where my business went from record numbers in 2019 to down 90% for nearly two years.
That forced me to go back to school for digital marketing at Northwestern and ultimately reimagine what I do. Learning to see what I do through the lens of content creation for marketing and advertising instead of legacy media.
Today, my business is stronger than ever, thanks to a loyal base of clients I’m grateful for every day.
But life isn’t just about business.
I’ve seen the darker side too at 40, watching friends go through unimaginable suffering.
I lost one of my best friends to the opioid crisis.
Another friend lost their child to pediatric cancer, yet they still show up with grace and faith every day.
Another friend was diagnosed with terminal cancer, yet they somehow find the strength to inspire others and remind us to never take a single day for granted.
Countless others also lost loved ones, quietly carrying invisible battles, while still treating people with patience and kindness.
That kind of resilience doesn’t go viral.
But at 40, it’s what I admire most.
If this milestone has taught me anything, it’s this:
Success isn’t always the loudest person in the room flexing on social media.
And courage doesn’t always look like winning on the surface.
Some people just keep showing up.
Not for applause.
Not for likes.
But to quietly spread more goodness and hope in the world.
That’s what inspires me now.
Could it BE a more perfect day?!?! ☀️The mood is bright just like these fun shots we produced for @wellsentinc who is famous for the brands we love like Bomb Pop, Blue Bunny and Halo Top! Happy Ice Cream Friday! 🍧
Agency: @skirtpr Producer/Photographer: @jeffschear
Food Stylist: @jillianmccannfoodstylist
Prop Stylist: @wolfson15a Prop Assistant: @stylewithbrit
1st Assistant: @johnruzich 2nd Assistant: @sourdough_bread_boi_
Hand Model: @pleaseleavebynine Studio: @throopstudio
#chicagopropstylist #productstylist #bombpop #originalbombpop #halotop #bluebunnyicecream #photostylist #setdesign #jeffschearvisuals
It’s not enough to take stunning photos, craft brilliant copy, or design jaw-dropping visuals. If no one enjoys working with you, if collaboration feels like pulling teeth, if your ego outshines the project—well, that’s a fast track to being a talented but replaceable commodity.
The secret sauce no one talks about? Being likeable.
Not in a surface-level, people-pleasing way. But in a “this person makes my job easier, not harder” way. In a “I trust them to take my idea and make it better” way.
Collaboration is an art in itself. It’s knowing when to push and when to listen. When to defend your vision and when to adapt. When to take the lead and when to let someone else shine.
The best creatives—the ones who get called back, referred, and booked over and over—aren’t just the most skilled. They’re the ones who make the process effortless, fun, and, most importantly, better.
That’s the difference between being a vendor and being invaluable. #jeffschearvisuals
Ever wondered how we use retouching to make celebrities look cover-ready while keeping it natural?
Here's a behind-the-scenes look at some of the subtle yet powerful techniques we may use to enhance celebrity portraits—featuring a very familiar face (me).
You'll see:
1) How frequency separation smooths under-eye areas without losing texture
2) Brightening eyes and reducing redness to eliminate that tired look
3) A little gray hair removal (because why not?)
4) Warming skin tones, adjusting levels, and fine-tuning exposure curves to make the whole image feel more inviting
5) And more
The goal is always the same: to make people look like the best version of themselves—not someone else.
#photography #photography #retouching #celebrityphotographer
Comedian/Actor/Podcaster Stavros Halkias (@stavvybaby2 ) photographed for @darkskyfilms today in Chicago at the Willis Tower Sky Deck. #jeffschearvisuals
