Chicago Photographer RoGina Montgomery: Capturing Family Stories Through Documentary Photography
I'm RoGina Montgomery, a Chicago photographer who believes the best images aren't posed, they're lived. My approach to family photography combines documentary storytelling with editorial polish, capturing the authentic moments that make up daily life in Chicago and beyond.
As a documentary and lifestyle photographer based on Chicago's South Side, I specialize in preserving family stories through intimate portraiture and candid storytelling. My camera finds beauty in the ordinary: Sunday morning pancakes, grandparents' gentle hands, children lost in play, couples existing in love. These aren't just family photos, they're visual records of love, legacy, and the quiet dignity of everyday moments.
Published Chicago Photography Work
My photography has appeared in major publications including The Wall Street Journal, Fortune, Real Simple, LA Times, The Hollywood Reporter, Travel Noire, and Sony Alpha. As a Getty Images contributor, my work reaches commercial and editorial clients worldwide, but my heart remains in personal storytelling, the kind of family photography that becomes generational treasure.
Photography as Preservation
I treat photography as both art and archive. Each family session, each editorial assignment, each personal project serves a dual purpose: creating beautiful images  while documenting the family experiences. I work with the understanding that photographs outlive us, becoming the stories our grandchildren will tell about who we were and how we loved.
Working with Me
I accept commissioned family photography throughout Chicago, personal documentary projects, and speaking engagements. Whether you're looking for authentic family photos that capture your Chicago life or editorial photography that tells deeper stories, I transform fleeting moments into lasting visual narratives.
Based in Chicago, available for family photography sessions, editorial assignments, and portrait commissions.
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