About Richard Shay

"People don’t want the same old picture, they want me to capture what’s real.”

Richard Shay has been taking pictures since he was 5 years old. At 9, he was standing on the sidelines of Soldier Field taking photos of a Bears game for Sports Illustrated. Since then, Shay grew up to become a successful photographer who worked for The Oprah Winfrey Show, and who now covers private events and parties, non-profit functions and large corporate events. Shay has also taken many portraits of celebrities including Michael Jordan, Oprah, and Billy Corgan of Smashing Pumpkins. In 2012, he photographed the cover of Corgan’s 2012 album, Oceania.

“I get energized by being with people and being friends with the who’s who of Chicago,” said Shay. “But even more, I’m passionate about taking really good pictures and capturing moments. People don’t want the same old picture, they want me to capture what’s real.”

A year and a half ago, Shay opened up his Glencoe Studio, Richard Shay’s Photo Emporium, because he wanted to have a space to showcase his work. Moreover, Shay wanted a place to have photo parties, in which he teaches kids how to take pictures, while having a blast! At the parties, Shay gives each guest a camera, puts on great music and strobe lights, and they get first hand instruction on what it’s like to do a photo shoot. After a party, Shay prepares a disk of the best 150 photos and gives one to each guest.

Shay’s, father is Art Shay, the famous photojournalist who spent his life taking photos for magazines like Life, Time and Sports Illustrated, and who is the author of more than 80 books on photography. Shay said he learned everything from his dad.