BRAND PHOTOGRAPHY & HEADSHOTS · CHICAGO & EVANSTON​

Visuals that reflect the authority you bring to the room.​

Your expertise is established. Your leadership is clear. Your brand photography should feel the same. Chicago & Evanston’s photographer for established women and businesses.

Brand photography​

Headshots​

Strategy first approach​

For founders, brands​

Chicago brand photographer Essien Gerdel

Sound familiar?

Your expertise has outpaced your imagery.

“My work is strong, but my visuals don’t reflect it.”

“My photos feel pieced together, not intentional.”

“I don’t want anything stiff, over-styled, or inauthentic.”

The issue isn’t your work. It’s the gap between how you show up in person and how your brand appears online. I help established women close that gap.

SERVICES

Photography that works as hard as you do​​

As a Chicago brand photographer, I help founders show up confidently on camera”

Headshots — Chicago & Evanston​​

Simple, relaxed, and confidence-boosting. Perfect for LinkedIn, your website, speaking bios, and anywhere you’re the face of your brand. 

brand photography chicago
Brand photography — Chicago​​

Strategic brand imagery that captures your personality, your process, and the story behind your business. Photos that feel grounded and aligned. 

Hello & Welcome

I'm Ekemini the face behind the camera here at Essien Gerdel Photography.​

I am a Chicago brand photographer specializing in headshots and brand photography for founders and thought leaders.
 
I work with businesses and organizations who are exceptional at what they do, but whose visuals haven’t caught up yet.  Brand photography isn’t about pretty pictures, it’s about perception. ‘
 
Your images tell people what to expect before you ever speak.
 

I’d love to help you stop shrinking online and start showing up with intention.

“This was a wonderful experience.  The process was professional and easy, Ekemini’s communications was thorough and helpful.  I walked in confident of what to expect and she more than delivered all of that and MORE.”

Ora W

Chicago Chef

How it works

Strategy before the shutter

01

We talk:

Discovery call to understand your business, your audience, and what you need your images to do

02

We plan:

Shot list, wardrobe guidance, and location — everything handled before you arrive.

03

We shoot:

A relaxed, guided session in Chicago or Evanston — no stiffness, no guessing.

04

You shine:

Images delivered that finally match the authority you bring to the room.

Are you ready?

Let's align your visuals with your expertise.

Every client starts with a conversation. Tell me about your business and what you’re building — I’ll take it from there.

Brand photographer serving Chicago · Evanston · North Shore