Petra Ford

Wherever I am, there's usually a camera nearby. Because I'm a photographer. And a model. And so, this blog is a collection of some of my work on both sides of the camera (peppered with some musings and reveries). Please check out my complete photography portfolio at: www.petraford.com. (*Wondering where my "HOME" button is? Click on my name, above. Voila.*)
The truest photos I’ve taken, the most bittersweet and poignant, could never be posed. “Untitled” ©Petra Ford

The truest photos I’ve taken, the most bittersweet and poignant, could never be posed.

“Untitled”

©Petra Ford

Photos from my recent shoot modeling for Ashton Ray Hansen (the theme of the shoot seemed to be “Let’s grab Petra’s hat!”) ;-)

Hair/makeup: Hillary Fenton

Wardrobe styling: Christopher Moran

Models: Troy, Kim, Alyssa, and Petra— Stewart Talent; Mike—Chosen Models; Adam—Agency Galatea

Yesterday I photographed another new friend from Easter Seals, 6-year-old Kai. You’ll have to wait until the photo exhibit opens in October to see this year’s photo, but here are a couple of the portraits I shot for the 2012 exhibit, of twin sisters Anna & Amelia.Meet Anna & Amelia: Anna was born premature. With the help of her therapists she is a fun and independent girl who enjoys school, jumping, and drawing. At age four, Anna knowsher letters and numbers. Amelia has cerebral palsy and works at Easter Seals on bodycontrol, sitting, walking and feeding. Amelia enjoys school, music and telling jokes.

Yesterday I photographed another new friend from Easter Seals, 6-year-old Kai. You’ll have to wait until the photo exhibit opens in October to see this year’s photo, but here are a couple of the portraits I shot for the 2012 exhibit, of twin sisters Anna & Amelia.

Meet Anna & Amelia: 
Anna was born premature. With the help of her therapists she is a fun and independent girl who enjoys school, jumping, and drawing. At age four, Anna knows
her letters and numbers. 
Amelia has cerebral palsy and works at Easter Seals on body
control, sitting, walking and feeding. Amelia enjoys school, music and telling jokes.

Another recent shoot for Drake Interiors.

All images ©Petra Ford 2013

©Petra Ford Bummed that our schedules didn’t match up and I didn’t get to see Robert during his recent trip to Chicago, but here’s a photo I shot of my Polish friend about a year and a half ago. Cheers, Robert, see you next time!

©Petra Ford

Bummed that our schedules didn’t match up and I didn’t get to see Robert during his recent trip to Chicago, but here’s a photo I shot of my Polish friend about a year and a half ago. Cheers, Robert, see you next time!

Happy Memorial Day, everyone! Make sure to take a few minutes to remember our soldiers today, especially those who’ve given their lives fighting for our country.Special shout-out and huge THANK YOUs to my favorite soldiers—Bobby and Andrew. Love you guys so much :) :: I took this photo of my dad saying goodbye to my brother before his first deployment in 2007. Entitled “Father & Soldier, Deployment Day #2,” it hung proudly in Glen Ellyn’s Gahlberg Gallery the following spring. :: 

Happy Memorial Day, everyone! Make sure to take a few minutes to remember our soldiers today, especially those who’ve given their lives fighting for our country.
Special shout-out and huge THANK YOUs to my favorite soldiers—Bobby and Andrew. Love you guys so much :)


:: I took this photo of my dad saying goodbye to my brother before his first deployment in 2007. Entitled “Father & Soldier, Deployment Day #2,” it hung proudly in Glen Ellyn’s Gahlberg Gallery the following spring. :: 

I’ve had the pleasure of doing several photography jobs for Drake Interiors over the last few months. Here’s a shoot I did in February. (So glad there’s not snow on the ground anymore!)

Just love laugh-y, smiley, happy times. ©Petra Ford Photography

Just love laugh-y, smiley, happy times.

©Petra Ford Photography

Caught in the act doing that thing I do

Caught in the act doing that thing I do

Behind the scenes snapshot from Sunday’s (super fun) shoot with photographer Ashton Ray Hansen. Can’t wait to see the photos!

Behind the scenes snapshot from Sunday’s (super fun) shoot with photographer Ashton Ray Hansen. Can’t wait to see the photos!

I first met Adam two years ago while shooting some modeling photos for his portfolio with Chosen Mgmt. I was flattered and honored a year later when he asked me to shoot his engagement portraits with his fiancee Carolyn….and even more honored when they asked me to be their wedding photographer for their nuptials this past weekend. This is one of my favorite moments from their big day… 

I first met Adam two years ago while shooting some modeling photos for his portfolio with Chosen Mgmt. I was flattered and honored a year later when he asked me to shoot his engagement portraits with his fiancee Carolyn….and even more honored when they asked me to be their wedding photographer for their nuptials this past weekend.

This is one of my favorite moments from their big day… 

Such a sweet email I just got in my inbox from an actress/dancer whose headshots I photographed recently. Especially sweet because our shoot was a couple of months ago and she had already thanked me nicely before. Stuff like this totally makes my day! Thanks, Derin!

Such a sweet email I just got in my inbox from an actress/dancer whose headshots I photographed recently. Especially sweet because our shoot was a couple of months ago and she had already thanked me nicely before.

Stuff like this totally makes my day! Thanks, Derin!

Behind the scenes snap from a modeling job I did this week for a furniture catalogue

Behind the scenes snap from a modeling job I did this week for a furniture catalogue

Camera Love

Whenever I see other photographers out in the field, I realize that I’m probably the only one out there who doesn’t carry their camera in a camera bag. But I don’t; never have and probably never will. I want to be able to grab it quickly, to always be a split second away from pressing the shutter.
But mostly, I want it right there by my heart, where it belongs.