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I was born and raised in the Chicago area where I continue to live.  I began my professional photography career in 1973 at the age of 19.  From 1973 to 1978 I was the staff photographer for Chicago rock concert promoter Flip Side Productions.  I was given backstage and photo pass privileges to all the concerts they produced.  I was able to gain access to many of the famed acts of the time.  In 1979 my corporate career started with Chicago Photographers, a group of photographers who specialized in news, public relations and editorial corporate photography.  After four years with Chicago Photographers, I was hired by Allstate Insurance Company.  At Allstate, besides making photographs, I managed the photo department, was photo editor for the in-house publications and led seminars to Allstate‘s regional publication editors.  In 1999, I began my freelance business which I continue doing.  Through the years my corporate photography has earned more than 40 International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) Spectra, Silver and Gold Quill awards.  I also received awards from Financial World Magazine, The New York Film Festivals and The Communicator Awards.  Along with Patrick Williams, I co-authored the 1995 book, "Pictures for Employee Publications."  I returned to photographing rock and roll artists again in 2008.  I photograph many shows at The Arcada Theatre in St. Charles, IL.  My photos have appeared in many books, music CD's, websites, documentaries and magazines.  Institutions like the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, Grammy Awards, Smithsonian Institute and Torquay Museum in England have selected my photos for special projects.  My rock & roll book co-authored with wordsmith Mark Plotnick is titled "Classic Rock Photographs from Yesterday & Today" and features photos of mine from the 1970's and the 2000's.  I taught photography at Harper College in Palatine, Illinois from 2005-2014.  I presently coach girls softball at Prairie Ridge High School in Crystal Lake, IL and travel girls softball for the CTW softball organization.

Contact Me

jsummaria@aol.com  |  847-560-6860

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