Board Members 2026 Board of Directors Portraits by Maureen Miller / Maureen T. Miller Photography
Chairman of the Board: Maria Heineman M.Photog, CR, CPP, F-PPANI
President: Michael Lee M.Photog, Cr. CPP, F-PPANI
Vice President: Carol DeAnda M.Wed.Photog, Cr.Photog, CPP, F-PPANI
Upon entering high school, she explored various artistic mediums, yet it was photography that captured her heart. Attending Harrington College of Design's Digital Photography program in 2008 marked the beginning of her professional journey. Initially employed by a start-up named Bella Baby, she flourished, eventually founding her own venture, DeAnda Photography, shortly thereafter in 2010. By 2019, her business had soared, culminating in the establishment of her own studio space. Rejecting the notion that success lies solely in specialization, her clientele spanned headshots, family portraits, corporate events and weddings, ensuring a dynamic and evolving career. Additionally, she ventured into aerial photography for commercial listings and real estate. Secretary: Rhonda Johnson
Photography has been part of Rhonda Johnson’s life since childhood, beginning with a 110 camera and a flashcube that rarely left her side. After being adopted at the age of three and a half and having no photographs from her early years, images took on a deeper meaning. Seeing the importance and emotional impact photographs held for the people around her inspired a lifelong desire to document moments, relationships, and stories before they could be lost. Rhonda earned a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education and a master’s degree in Teaching and Leadership, and spent 18 years teaching kindergarten while simultaneously building her photography business, which she established in 2001. Although she did not pursue formal education in photography, she has continuously invested in learning the craft through professional development, mentorship, and industry education since high school. Now an award-winning professional photographer based in Northern Illinois on her great-great grandparents’ farm, Rhonda operates a full-service portrait studio serving families from newborn through milestone years. Her work centers on creating meaningful, timeless portraits that celebrate connection, personality, and legacy. Rhonda’s photographic experience spans a wide range of genres, including newborns, children, families, weddings, and community-focused projects. She is especially known for her newborn and infant work and for her involvement with Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep, providing remembrance photography for families experiencing infant loss. Giving back through photography is a core part of her mission, and she regularly partners with local organizations and first responders to serve her community. Her work has been recognized within the professional photography community, including earning Best Overall Portraits in the Newborn and Baby category and recently was awarded the Kerri Weiss Acts of Love Award. As Secretary of the Professional Photographers of Northern Illinois, Rhonda is honored to support the organization’s mission, document its history, and serve alongside fellow artists dedicated to education, excellence, and community within the profession. Treasurer: Christine Brown
With a background in education and deep community involvement, Christine brings a calm, encouraging presence to every session. Her work is rooted in helping clients feel comfortable, seen, and confident, both in front of the camera and beyond it. She is especially passionate about creating experiences that empower tweens, teens, and women through photography and creative projects. Outside of the studio, Christine is a wife, mom to four kids and lives on a farm in a small rural community. There, she works with her husband Jim at their family business. She enjoys her time traveling with her kids to cattle shows, where she loves watching them build friendships, learn responsibility, and make meaningful connections in the barn. That lifestyle has shaped her love for genuine moments, community, and storytelling, values that naturally carry over into her photography. Christine is actively involved in community-driven initiatives, including mentoring women entrepreneurs, hosting collaborative events, and developing creative projects that support mental health awareness. She believes photography is not just about images, but about relationships, impact, and building something that lasts. As a member of the executive board for the Professional Photographers Association of Northern Illinois, Christine is excited to support and connect fellow photographers through education, collaboration, and encouragement within the local photography community. Program Chair: Julie Monacella M.Photog, CPP, F-PPANI
Julie began her career as a Systems Engineer at Motorola where she spent eight years sharpening her analytical and problem-solving skills. She later moved into professional development as a facilitator with Dale Carnegie Training, leading programs in communication, leadership, and human relations. What she loved most was meeting people where they were and helping them grow with confidence from there. In 2006, Julie launched her photography business, which quickly became her full-time focus and a decision she’s never once regretted. Photography finally gave her the space to bring both sides of her brain together: the technical and the creative. It’s where structure meets storytelling, and where connection and craft live side by side. That balance continues to guide her work and her constant pursuit of excellence. In 2024, she earned her Master of Photography degree through PPA, a milestone that reflects her deep commitment to learning and growth. Julie firmly believes that you grow faster (and better) when you surround yourself with talented, like-minded people. That belief is one of the reasons she values the Northern community so deeply. The photographers within this group, along with the strong local connections it fosters, have created an inspiring network that continues to support and shape her professional journey. Membership Chair: Becka McKiness
While weddings occupy a significant portion of Becka’s schedule, she extends her artistry to include family portraits and branding sessions. Becka also takes on opportunities to immerse herself in the vibrant world of music. She occasionally captures live concerts of bands and musical artists she adores. Becka attributes her growth and willingness to embrace new challenges to her involvement with PPANI. This community of like-minded creatives has been a wellspring of inspiration, pushing her to expand her horizons and refine her skills. Technology Chair: David Fulghum, CPP
Dave’s experiences have ranged from photojournalism, shooting for three newspapers during and after college, working in retail camera shops and assisting professional trade magazine and commercial photographers while in his 20’s. He has owned and operated three studios between 1994 and the present. Building a management career outside of photography has given Dave a business perspective he finds invaluable and is happy to coach and share his insights with his fellow photographers. Dave is a Certified Professional Photographer, and has been a PPA member since 2021. Dave joined PPANI in 2023 after the Nashville IUSA show. “The IUSA conferences have helped me grow my business in way’s I never expected. From business coaching to networking with other Professionals to meeting the PPANI group, everything has just fallen into place perfectly”. Dave’s current studio, In Bloomington Illinois, serves the Midwest region. Dave primarily provides commercial photography work for business and industry. His market includes Chicago, Indianapolis and St. Louis. Dave also does art portrait work for individuals, headshots for businesses and theater needs and his own style of Family Portraits. Dave teaches the photography curriculum at the McLean County Arts Center in Bloomington Il. Dave also enjoys adventure travel photography and has published three books on his journeys. His latest, The Legacy Project : Iceland” is a collaboration with his son Sean. His next book is in the works, a monograph of images of the American West. When not taking photos (which it seems he always is) Dave enjoys adventure sports such as canoeing, SCUBA diving, hiking and road tripping to places few have tread. Host Chair: Rob Wehmeier
In 1991, he moved to Chicago from Flossmoor, IL, and started working full-time to develop his client base and work for established photographers on various advertising, catalog, and industrial projects. While most of his projects were in the Midwest region, he has traveled nationally and internationally for jobs. In 2002, Rob and his wife Elise partnered to open Wehmeier Portraits, which provides family and children portraiture in the southwest suburbs. The studio specialized in Black and White portraits, gradually expanding to include Color Portraits. In 2017, Rob relocated the studio from its brick-and-mortar location to its current residential setting. The studio mix continues with Family and Children while maintaining many Commercial clients in the corporate, industrial, and architectural arenas. Rob has served or serves on several professional boards, including the Orland Park Area Chamber of Commerce, ASMP Chicago/Midwest Chapter, Associated Professional Photographers of Illinois, and other Illinois groups. He is currently a member of PPA, PPANI, and APA. Rob has been a passionate B&W photographer since college. One of his ongoing projects involves creating portraits using a large-format Deardorff view camera and sensitized paper as the recording medium. This slow and meticulous method explores the relationship between the photographer, the camera, and the subject and how it affects the creation and interpretation of the final image. Rob also has a long-running project using his phone camera to explore graphic composition, various phone-based processing methods, and the interplay of light and motion in creating social media imagery, which helps sharpen his design sensibilities. Chairman Emeritus: Bruce Van Pelt
| Member Benefits
|
Maria began her career in photography working for a retail children’s & family studio, and then spent 20+ years in the school portrait industry as a photographer, photo manager & trainer.
Michael Lee has been a working photographer in the Chicago area for 20 years, is a Master Photographer, Photographic Craftsman, 
Since childhood, Carol had always been drawn to art, often seen with a camera in hand even during her school days. Her love for creativity extended to intricately posing Beanie Babies against various backdrops around her house. Encouraged by her supportive grandfather, who readily accommodated her requests for multiple print copies of her beloved Beanie Babies.
Christine Brown is the owner and photographer behind Christine Brown Photography, a boutique portrait studio based in Flanagan, Illinois. She specializes in senior portraits, families, newborns, pets, and themed studio experiences, focusing on meaningful, high-touch sessions that celebrate connection, confidence, and storytelling.
Becka's journey into the world of photography started with a love of movies. Unexpectedly she found a profound passion for capturing emotions that lead her to specialize in freezing moments that tell powerful stories.
Dave has been involved with photography since his high school days. Nearing 50 years of experience with a camera in hand he has come away with one cardinal rule regarding his photography. “The more I learn about imaging, the more I realize how much more there is to learn”. Improving his work and growing as an artist are his driving passions.
Rob’s photography career started in the mid-80s while attending Valparaiso University. There, he created and customized his degree path and received his associate's degree in photography. During his college years, he worked with several campus departments to photograph events and portraits of University Administrators, including the University President. His first work out of college was assisting photographers in Northwest Indiana, where he photographed in many of the steel mills and their supporting 
Bruce, affectionately known as "The Godfather" within the PPANI community, stands as the unassuming maestro behind Brighter Visions Photography since 1994. His quiet dedication led him to join PPANI and PPA, where he skillfully captured the nuances of weddings, families, children, seniors, and diverse commercial projects. Bruce's journey took on a distinctive note as he served on competition committees for both PPANI and APPI, ultimately earning the title of Print Chairman at PPANI from 2005 to 2022. Fondly bestowed with the moniker "The Godfather" due to his longstanding history on the PPANI board, Bruce's impact resonates far beyond his lens. Modesty and wisdom define his legacy, making him a revered figure in the world of photography.