Heartworks Photography, Inc. is a private, non-profit, professional portrait studio that works exclusively with special needs children and children who have been stricken with life-threatening illnesses or injuries.

Our mission is to capture and preserve individual photographs of these special children that will reflect their unique personalities while working within the restricted confines of their personal environment.

We currently work with hospitals throughout the country and other charitable organizations including Make-A-Wish Foundation, March of Dimes and Ronald McDonald House.

Heartworks Photography is a registered non-profit corporation chartered under the laws of the State of Illinois.

Heartworks Photography has been designated by the Internal Revenue Service as a 501(c)(3) Corporation.

Heartworks Photography is not affiliated with the hospitals we work with or any other charitable organization.

We accomplish our mission by working directly with hospitals and organizations that specialize in children. We bring our portable studio into the child’s environment such as a hospital or rehabilitation center. This studio is complete with professional lighting equipment and props.

During a typical 3 hour photo session, we work one-on-one with 15-20 children of all ages ranging from 1 week to 18 years. With an array of costumes and accessories, we create a fun environment that allows us to capture the essence of each individual child in a unique ‘glamour shot’.

Due to the nature of our subject matter, many children are attached to machines with tubes, wires, and tape. Some children are missing hair, limbs or have other physical challenges. These challenges are minimized through our props, costumes, lighting techniques and a variety of poses.

Following the session, we pack up our equipment and head back to our offices, where in many cases the real work begins. The magic of Heartworks Photography is that whenever possible, we digitally edit & enhance each photo. This eliminates many of the remaining signs of illness that could not be avoided during the photo shoot.

The result of our work is a beautiful portrait of a smiling child - a photo without any indication whatsoever that they are in a hospital, wearing a gown with tape and wires attached.

Once the photos are processed, each child's family receives a professional portrait package of their child.

There is no cost to the child, family or hospital for this service.