About

About Elizabeth McQuern

Elizabeth McQuern is a Chicago-based photographer, filmmaker, composer, and comedy producer, who finally got a photo of herself on her biography page. For almost eight years she co-produced and managed media for the widely respected weekly stand-up showcase Chicago Underground Comedy, and her short comedy films have been screened at the Just For Laughs Festival, The Second City, the Lincoln Lodge, and elsewhere. She was editor of the well-regarded Chicago comedy blog The Bastion, and is a graduate of the Second City Training Center's writing program.

She likes to write music and annoy her loved ones by constantly taking photos of them. She loves Star Trek (especially TNG and DS9), biking, and her husband, Second City comedy instructor Bryan Bowden, with whom she has co-produced countless comedy shows and films. The two also co-produced Champ Bowden, the cutest little red-haired boy you’ve ever seen in your life. Some day Elizabeth will get around to taking her own headshot and putting it up on her website.

Hear Elizabeth on Chicago Public Radio's Hello Beautiful, and read about her in Chilarious, Time Out Chicago, Gapers Block, Chicago Comedy Examiner, the Chicago Tribune, Chicago Magazine, Centerstage Chicago (Sun-Times), Midwest Living Magazine, NewCity Chicago, the Times-Sentinel, and Quiet Rebel Writer. She has written for Gapers Block and Chicago Metblog, and you can also find her on Facebook, YouTube, Pinterest, and Flickr.

Website maintained by Elizabeth McQuern
Elizabeth.McQuern (AT) gmail (DOT) com
Updated May 4, 2017
Find Elizabeth on her daily-updated Facebook page, YouTube & Flickr.

Testimonials:

"Shooting with Elizabeth McQuern was a positive experience from start to finish. Elizabeth was tasked with taking head shot photos of our whole company, many of whom aren’t keen on being photographed. Elizabeth was extremely accommodating to each individual; her warm demeanor made everyone feel comfortable in front of the camera which resulted in final photos that felt natural and captured each person at their best. Not only was Elizabeth a true professional in person, but she delivered quality photos on very tight deadline. Elizabeth is everything one looks for in a photographer – creative, patient, professional, and detail-oriented."
- Allison Skibicki, Designer, Kaleidoscope

"Elizabeth is great at making you feel comfortable and attractive during the shoot. Her use of framing and color is spectacular. My photo shoot was a very enjoyable experience, and the resulting photos are fabulous!"
-Libby Rudolph, Opera Singer and Actress

“Elizabeth is one of the only people in the world that can actually get me to smile in a photograph AND THEN SHE ACTUALLY MAKES THAT LOOK GREAT! Any and every time I get headshots or promotional photos taken with her, I know that it's not only going to be a really easy process, but also a fun one with fantastic results. Amazing time, amazing pictures, amazing person.”
- Cody Melcher, Comedian, Writer, Humanist, Eccentric Gentleman

"Elizabeth McQuern Bowden is a blast to shoot with! Our shoots are always creative, fun, and I love the end product. I encourage you to book a session and see exactly what I'm taking about!"
- Tamale Sepp, Comedian, Writer, Fire-Eater, Motorcycle Enthusiast

"Elizabeth helped me feel comfortable. Shooting in her home studio was perfect - the size, the family atmosphere, just the right amount of noise. It wasn't noisy. But it was so cute that Champy (her son) was there watching, or playing with trucks, saying something now and then. I was thrilled with my headshots, the variety of outfits we got and how quickly and professionally it all went down. It helps that she's got a layered history as a Creative and Comedian as well, because she understood what I was looking for and how to get it. I've already recommended her to a few friends!"
- Natasha Samreny, Writer, Comedian, Performer

“I haven't had a professional photo of myself taken in ages, so I wasn't sure what to expect. Luckily, Elizabeth is a total professional and was able to lead me through the process effortlessly. She's a fabulous communicator who easily brought out the best in me during our photography session. She's warm, thoughtful, prompt, and all around very good at what she does. I'm extremely pleased with the headshots she's delivered, and I highly recommend her to others who need a photographer for any reason.”
- Thom Heil, Acupunturist and Herbalist

"I have had the pleasure of working with Elizabeth McQuern several times. She has always made the very painful (for me) process of being photographed or filmed very comfortable and, yes, even fun! She has an amazing eye for capturing not just your image, but also your personality, something that is essential in a headshot or a demo clip."
- Patty Vaccarella, Standup Comedian/Event Host/Producer

“I simply love having my picture taken by Elizabeth McQuern. Elizabeth not only captures my image, she seems to capture my personality. She brings out the best in me in shoots and makes me look way better than I do in real life. As an entertainer, I wear many hats and each hat has it's own thing happening and yet, every hat has a Elizabeth McQuern pic that matches perfectly.”
- Seth Thomas, Comedian, Actor, Musician, Writer

"I could not have been more happy with my photography experience with Elizabeth McQuern. I have worked with lots of photographers, but she is my favorite. She made me feel so comfortable that I literally didn't have a bad picture, and it was hard to choose. She has a way of opening her subject up to do their best work and feel amazing. The photos come out so well, you almost don't even need editing and retouching. She is professional, reliable, and talented. I always recommend her."
- Krista Atkinson, Comedian/Actress/Writer

"Elizabeth McQuern does great work and creates a really fun and comfortable photo shoot setting. She's receptive and collaborative with ideas when it comes to getting a really great shot. She's done multiple images for me and I couldn't be happier with the end result. Book her!"
- Mike Stanley, Comedian/Writer

"Thank you, Elizabeth McQuern! You made the whole family photoshoot truly fun. Your easygoing manner was warm, relaxing, and inviting. The results are an amazing delight!"
- Jeannie Montgomery

"Doing photography with Elizabeth McQuern was amazing. We did outside headshots and the time flew by and we have several looks I am happy to use."
- Mike Maxwell, Comedian/Actor/Writer

"Elizabeth was awesome! She made me very comfortable, which made the whole process fun and professional! I loved the finished photos. I would recommend her to anyone!"
- Maria, Stand-Up Comedian

"I'm not a glamour girl, and I thought I wouldn't take good pictures because I don't wear makeup. Elizabeth reassured me that her lighting was top-notch, and I was pleased at how natural my photos looked. I had so much fun and she captured the real me, but better."
- Kris Simmons, Stand-Up Comedian/Storyteller

"Elizabeth has taken my official company portrait twice now, and I plan on calling on her again. She is a talented artist who sets up a comfortable environment in which to take her photos. While posing for a portrait is usually a bit stressful for me, Elizabeth's warm and professional demeanor make it a much easier - even fun - time for me. I'd recommend her to any individual or family or group looking for a photo session that reveals the best version of themselves."
- Steven Frenzel, Film Lecturer

"What an absolute treat! I've had so much working with Elizabeth. She makes the session process enjoyable and effortless, while still capturing beautiful shots. Not only is she skilled in the studio, but she is equally talented at a live event. My favorite photos of my own performances are those captured by Elizabeth. I have recommended her before and will continue to do so, as she makes it truly worth your while to work with her."
- Alexandra Tsarpalas, comedian and writer

"Working with Elizabeth McQuern has been my absolute favorite experience. Her shoots are always incredibly inviting and produce beautiful results. When I shoot with her, I know I'm going to get something special that captures me at my best!"
- Ju Lee Anna, comedian and burlesque performer

"Elizabeth is an amazing child photographer. She's a mother herself, so she understands that to get a good shot you have to get on child's level and follow them around as they go about their business. The pictures she took of my son are some of my most favorite images of him. She's really good!
Also, Elizabeth is the best at taking headshots! She was so calm and flexible - we shot in so many locations, inside & outside. She let me change outfits many times, change up my hair/makeup, and kept me laughing so I didn't get too nervous. She has a list of different poses that's a mile long! It was a great experience and I got dozens of amazing pics I've used for years from the experience!"
- Dana Norris

“Working with Elizabeth is so fun! She was open to trying anything I came up with, and had some rad ideas. I can't wait to shoot with her again!”
- Janine Phan, comedian and writer

“Thank you so much, Elizabeth! Working with you for our family reunion/surprise party photo shoot was a great experience! We had such a large group, and you made the whole process fun and stress-free. Your ideas for shooting both the large and smaller groups were fantastic! Everyone was extremely pleased with the results. You helped us make lovely memories for my father-in-law's 80th birthday, and I will be forever grateful!”
- Beth Furman Schmal

“Elizabeth took my picture at a major crossroad of my life - I just gave birth to my second child and my consulting business was taking off. I needed pictures, stat. I was tired, wasn't sleeping with the newborn and an overall mess. Elizabeth made everything just seamless. That's the best word I can use. Seamless. I couldn't imagine anyone else doing my headshots!”
- Blagica Stefanovski Bottigliero, multimedia whiz

“Elizabeth provides a warm, fun and professional environment for photography. It is a promise you will have so much fun doing a shoot with her and have great photos as a result!”
- Jennifer Baird, Actress/Writer

“Elizabeth is a great person to take headshots with being she is so kind, warm and friendly that you feel comfortable so the "real you" can come out in the shot and not look stiff and staged. And with her and her husband's improv background she's bound to figure out a way to capture introverts as well. The babysitting for headshots barter is amazing as well for starvin' artists or students that don't have a bunch of disposable income and her son is the cutest (and I don't really like kids).”
- Melissa Richelle, Comedian/Actress/Writer

“Elizabeth loves her work and you feel it when she sets up a shoot. I'm not a huge fan of taking pictures but she made me completely comfortable despite my camera shyness. She's a joy to work with before and during the shoot!”
- Xavier Lamont, Comedian

“I’ve shot with quite a few different photographers & being put at ease when I get photos taken is my #1 priority. Who wants a photo where I don't look like myself! Elizabeth is able to create a space of comfort, laughter, and ease, which meant a lot to me.”
- Sara Tea, Artist/Performer

"Elizabeth McQuern has a way of immediately putting you at ease, while also making you laugh and feel fierce. Shooting with her always makes me feel creative, strong, and cute as hell."
- Larissa Zagaris, Artist

"Elizabeth is a delight to work with. She has a knack for making her clients comfortable and drawing the very best out of them. I get so many compliments on my headshots, they’re natural and flattering. I credit this to both her talent as a photographer and to the fun we had during our shoot - I look confident and happy because I was actually confident and happy working with her! Thanks again, Elizabeth!"
-Briette Madrid, makeup artist

“I worked with Elizabeth for headshots and loved the final product as well as the process. As a photographer, Elizabeth is skilled in creating photos that really captured the end result I was looking for. She's professional and friendly and made each session comfortable and painless.”
- Jeanie Doogan, Comedian