An award-winning art professional with a lifelong passion for creating, displaying and sharing all forms of art, from traditional to conceptual installments. As an Entrepreneur and Business Partner, I’ve been able to complement my creative talents with practical and operational skills, including training, working with restrictive budgets, marketing and promotions, business tools (newsletters, annual reports, etc.) and heavy public relations. I also have excellent organization and communication skills and can direct multiple resources to work as a unified team.

Media Relations | Online & Print Design | Event, Project & Client Management | Award Winning Concepts
MSWord/Excel | MAC | Aperture | Bridge | InDesign | Lightroom | Photoshop

EDUCATION
Bachelor of Fine Arts | Photography | Rhode Island School of Design, Providence, RI
(With coursework completed at The School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago, IL and American College in Paris, France, Parsons School of Design Exchange Program.)
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

MARIA CORLEY PHOTOGRAPHY | Chicago, IL | 1992 – present 
Photographer
Plan, schedule and conduct photo shoots with clients such as People Magazine, Lakeside Energy, Waud Capital Partners, iCons in Medicine, ZOZO for Kids, Chicago Sun Times and the Chicago Tribune Magazine. Consult and advice clients on creative elements and wardrobe to convey appropriate image.
Work on an extensive variety of projects, satisfying all ranges of budgets, deadlines and creative limitations and unforeseen obstacles.
Collaborate with Editors and Creative Directors to oversee licensing of a wide-range of photography for brand-named media properties, events, corporate usage and exhibits.

NORTHWESTERN MEMORIAL HOSPITAL | Chicago, IL | 1994 – 2009
Principle Photographer and Production Coordinator 

Devised and supervised the implementation of all media plans and projects. Formulated and contributed to long-term communication strategy. Managed the process and strategic development of all media relations projects, both internal and external media. Produced all visuals for print and web design.
Collaborated effectively with team to produce brochures, advertisements, banners, newsletters, web stories and annual reports. Worked with freelancers and interns to deliver on goals.
Worked with varied functions, from public relations to security, to successfully cover high profile events with dignitaries such as Princess Diana and Hillary Clinton for both internal and external publications.
Delivered new look for the Annual Report by working with designers and identifying/addressing technical aspects.
Developed Good Morning America segments to print for local newspapers.
Delivered new staff and board member photos for client's website on short, one-week deadline.
 
PRIOR EXPERIENCE

Freelance photography, production and communication delivery for top-tier clients as the Miami Herald, Gilles Bensimon, Henri Cartier Bresson, Helmut Newton, and Mario Testino. Event planning, program management, caption writing, and press junket participation for film reviews.

INDUSTRY AWARDS

Publicity Club of Chicago: Golden Trumpet, 2008 and 2009
National Healthcare Advertising: Gold Award, 2006 and 2007
National Healthcare Advertising: Platinum Award, 2004
Apex Awards for Communication Excellence: Excellence Award, 2006
National Health Information Awards: Silver Award, 2006
Illinois Society of Healthcare Marketing and Public Relations: Pinnacle Award, 2004