Skyline Headshots — Local services in Chicago

5/5 Stars - Garret knows what he's doing!

Context for my Visit |

I recently worked with Garret (i.e., the photographer who runs Skyline) to have some portraits taken for the company website at a new job I recently started.

Friendly, Flexible, and Accommodating! |

To start things out, I was running about half an hour late due to being unable to secure an Uber. I called Garret about 5 minutes before my scheduled time to let him know I was running late and he couldn't have been more accommodating! He was extremely friendly from the word, "hello" and was able to work me in between his next two appointments without needing to reschedule.

Master Class Direction - Great at Making You Come Out of Your Shell ! |

While I'm generally an extroverted person, I'll be the first to admit I get camera shy around people I don't know. Garret has an astute ability to lighten the mood with his subjects, get them smiling with jokes/quips that strike the perfect balance between corny and original, and generally direct them with posing and even facial expressions. This has got to be one of the most important skills for portrait photography and Garret is Master Class at executing it!

Awesome Final Product |

I was extremely impressed with the final results of Garret's work when my new employer forwarded me the shots. We did two different shots: (1) a standing (knees up) portrait set to a blue background, and (2) an up close 'Signature' portrait that will make your portrait-mode iPhone shots look like they were drawn in crayon (see attached photo).

Cool Studio in a Hip Building |

The Michigan Ave location is situated in the fourth floor of a Fine Arts building. The building has a historic charm to it and you'll need to either walk up to the fourth floor or travel by an attendant-operated elevator with manually-operated door and elevation controls.

The studio is small, but by no means claustrophobic, and has access to an nice looking outdoor courtyard area (although I did not personally explore this area).

Pricing |

I can't speak to pricing since it my employer handled scheduling and payment, but I would 100% go back to Skyline Headshots should I want to take some personal portraits in the future. If you're someone who selects/manages such vendors for a company/organization, I would highly recommend touching base to...

There are a lot of photographers in Chicago but there are a few distinctions that make Garret’s work unique. I’ve had my headshot taken by him in three occasions.

I saw him capture our team of 28 people in a row at his studio. Each of them walking up after to see the image in disbelief.

He’s one of the best. Seriously. Look at his work or go to any of the photography conferences and you’ll see Garret with the respect of his peers leading the charge and graciously educating others. Can’t go to a conference? Join the Chicago Facebook group where he’s constantly adding value and helping new photographers when others will simply say “ReAd uR MaNuaL”.

When you hire a photographer you’re not only hiring them for their art. You’re also buying the intangible things their art represents.

His images represent more than presenting a new image to potential employers, or to your peers and family. It also means you’ve done your research and you’ve selected a photographer who doesn’t only take from the communities they exist in. He spends time pouring back into the communities he exists in and educated others the way he wishes...

Hi everyone! Just sharing my experience here :)

If you are in need of a photographer for an upcoming event, headshots, or any other occasion - I can't say enough of good things about Garret Buckley from Buckle Down media photography!!!

He's an amazing professional photographer and a pretty bad stand up comedian (as he referred to himself) that takes amazing shots! I am really really bad (you can not imagine how bad 😅) at being on pictures, but I needed headshots taken and he made me feel as comfortable as I could be and the pictures came out awesome! He absolutely makes sure that you are happy with his work :)

Definitely message him if you need an awesome Chicago based...