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Contact Me

jsummaria@aol.com  |  847-560-6860

Facebook: Jim Summaria

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 today.  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 continue to photograph rock artists to this day.  I'm a staff photographer for OSHOWS photographing concerts at The Arcada Theatre in St. Charles, IL, the Des Plaines Theater in Des Plaines, IL, Hey Nonny Music Venue in Arlington Heights, IL. and other concert halls across the Chicago area.

 

My photos have appeared in books, album and CDs, websites, film documentaries and magazines. I'm a contributing photographer to Premier Guitar Magazine, Good Times (Germany) Music Magazine and Chicago Blues Guide. 

 

Institutions like the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio, the Illinois Rock & Roll Museum and Hall of Fame in Joliet, IL, the Grammy Awards, the Smithsonian Institute and the V&A Museum in London, England have selected my photos for special projects. 

I've co-authored two books with wordsmith Mark Plotnick that feature my photographs: "Classic Rock: Photographs from Yesterday & Today" and the October 2024 release of "70s ChicagoLand Rock Concerts". 

 

I taught photography at Harper College in Palatine, Illinois for eight years and I coached girls softball for over 25 years.

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