Wes Kinard, Chicago-Based Photographer & Visual Storyteller
Stories • Connection • Action
Your mission, your donors, your event, and your investment all matter. Make sure you have a storyteller you can trust every step of the way.
✔ 5+ Years working for nonprofits and photographing and filming events for nonprofits, individuals, and Catholic church functions. (Yes, I have had your job.)
✔ M.A. in Digital Media & Storytelling, Loyola University Chicago
✔ U.S. Navy veteran
INTEGRITY
COLLABORATION
EXCELLENCE
COMPASSION
INTEGRITY COLLABORATION EXCELLENCE COMPASSION
MY CORE VALUES
Behind the lens: My story
Growing up as a military kid, I lived in Guam and Southern California before moving to Chicago. My family often shared stories of their travels abroad and our family history, which sparked my desire to see the world, experience different cultures, and make a difference in people’s lives.
That dream began to take shape when I joined the U.S. Navy. While stationed in Japan, my love for photography grew as I explored Tokyo, the mountains and coastline with my camera and phone, capturing nature, everyday life, and street scenes. I've been fortunate to have volunteered in service projects in Tokyo, Singapore, South Korea, Hong Kong, Guam and Virginia Beach, working alongside people from different ages and backgrounds. These experiences gave me new cultural perspectives and showed me how storytelling and shared experiences can build connection.
After leaving the Navy, I worked in the nonprofit world and attended Loyola University Chicago, where my passion for storytelling continued to grow. My studies shaped my understanding of servant leadership, compassion, and caring for marginalized communities, while my professional experience strengthened my communication and storytelling skills.
I’m grateful to pursue my dream as the Founder of Wes Kinard Media Productions. I help organizations and individuals share their stories through film and photography that honors their mission, builds connection, creates meaningful impact, and preserves their legacy.
Why clients trust me
I take the time to understand your goals, audience, and message, creating visual content with a clear purpose that your team can use across campaigns, communications, and marketing.
5+ Years Inside Nonprofits
With over five years working in nonprofit communications, marketing, and donor relations, I understand how organizations operate and how to step into your environment, embrace your vision, and create visual stories that reflect what matters to you, with care and respect.
US Navy Veteran
My time in the U.S. Navy gave me valuable communication and leadership skills and taught me how to connect with people from different cultures and backgrounds.I bring those experiences into every production, helping me communicate clearly, build trust, and create a respectful and comfortable experience for everyone involved.
Master’s Degree & Emmy Nominations
I hold a B.A. in Advertising and Public Relations and an M.A. in Digital Media and Storytelling from Loyola University Chicago. I’m a two-time Student Emmy nominee, recognized for work on “Windy City Watch Newscast“ and "The Love Fridge PSA".
Award-Recognized Photography
2nd place, Sports Photo, 2022 Illinois College Press Association Awards, shooting for the Loyola Phoenix.
I’ve spend years behind a camera in fast-moving, unrepeatable moments.
And when I’m not behind the camera?
When I’m not behind the camera, I love exploring the outdoors, getting lost in a good book, spending time by the water, or trying a new Chicago coffee shop. I love traveling to new places, volunteering with organizations that I’m passionate about helping, and spending time with family and friends.
“Wes came through at his fullest, delivering images and video clips that fully captured the experience that was had at my event. Not only am I pleased with the end result from quality to quantity, Wes has left a lasting impression on attendees who have left positive remarks about his presence. I am excited to have Wes at my next planned event.”
—JAMES PHILLIPS (KNOWN PROFESSIONALLY AS J. ONYX)
MUSIC ARTIST
What I stand on
INTEGRITY
I am honest about timelines, costs, and what is realistic, and I follow through on what I said I would do.
EXCELLENCE
Authentic, high-quality work through careful preparation, attention to detail, and a commitment to continual improvement.
PARTNERSHIP
I take time to understand your mission, goals, and audience, while ensuring everyone involved feels respected and supported.
PURPOSEFUL STORYTELLING
Intentional visual stories that capture meaningful moments, strengthen connections, and move people to act.
STEWARDSHIP
Every story and every mission deserves exceptional care. Your trust, your investment, and the moments that matter most.
Who I work with
THREE GROUPS.
ONE APPROACH.
First, we map out your project goals and vision.
Then, we craft the visuals that will drive results.
Nonprofits & Mission-Driven Organizations
Having worked in nonprofit communications, marketing, and donor relations, I understand how much your team relies on strong visual content after an event. I capture your gala with your marketing and communications needs in mind; from donor appeals and newsletters to thank-you emails, social media, and next year’s annual report. Most importantly, I create content that brings your audience into the experience, engages them, and helps them see why your work matters.
Campaign & program impact films • Galas, fundraisers & donor events • Annual report & grant photography • Monthly retainers for ongoing content
Catholic Parishes & Faith Communities
Sacred spaces ask for a different kind of presence. I know when to move, when to stay still, and when the camera has no business being where it is. My approach is guided by cura personalis—care for the whole person—which I learned at Loyola University Chicago.
I’m here to help you achieve the results you’re looking for through intentional storytelling, thoughtful relationship-building, and visual content that honors your community and reflects the meaning of the moments you’re inviting me to capture.
Liturgies, feast days & parish milestones • Capital campaign & stewardship films • Ministry & outreach storytelling • Catholic weddings & sacramental moments • Retreats
Corporate & Agency Events
I’m here to help you achieve the results you’re looking for through intentional storytelling, thoughtful relationship-building, and visual content that puts your brand in its best light — whether I’m capturing your event or creating a brand video.
Conferences, summits & panel discussions • Product launches & company milestones • Executive interviews & brand films • Networking mixers & board meetings
Trusted by these clients:
How we can work together
Do you need visual content for an upcoming event or ongoing content throughout the year? Explore my services to see how we can collaborate and support your goals.
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Film & Media Production
Get thoughtfully crafted campaign videos, program and impact stories, and event highlight reels that communicate your message, engage your audience, and give your team visual content to support your marketing goals.
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Event Photography
Get professional event photography for fundraisers, galas, networking events, luncheons, program events, anniversaries, and more—capturing photos that communicate your mission clearly and authentically while supporting your marketing and communications goals.
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Monthly Media Retainers
You get a dedicated creative partner and storyteller that delivers a consistent pipeline of fresh, evergreen video and photography content each month, planned around your marketing calendar, campaigns, and goals.
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Legacy Collection
I’ll learn your love story, create a fun and welcoming experience, and capture the genuine connection, joy, and moments that make your relationship uniquely yours.
How we work together
Strategy & Discovery Call
We’ll discuss your upcoming campaigns, events, and target audience.Together, we will pinpoint the exact, specific stories within your organization that will create the greatest impact for your mission.
Based on our discovery call, I will build out your custom content roadmap.
Secure Your Dates
After our call, you will receive a single, secure HoneyBook link. This link grants you access to your personalized client portal containing your creative brief, Statement of Work, contract, and initial invoice.
Once you review and sign the agreement and submit your first monthly deposit through HoneyBook's secure online payment system, your production dates are locked in.
Plan Your Production
Now that the paper work is finalized, we immediately jump into pre-production to map out your clear coverage details, custom shot lists, and key interview questions, and more.
We will lock in exact delivery dates for your photos and videos, ensuring you have your content right when you need it to hit your marketing and publishing calendar.
Nice Things My Clients Say
View My Work
Frequently Asked Questions
About my work as a film and photography guide
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No. I work with nonprofits, businesses, community organizations, schools, Catholic parishes, and people celebrating important milestones. What they all have in common is having a story, mission, event, or milestone worth sharing—and wanting a creative partner who can help bring it to life.
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When I was a kid, I always knew I wanted to run my own business. Fortunately, the pieces started to come together—the valuable skills I learned in the Navy, my experience working in the nonprofit world, and my education at Loyola University Chicago. I decided to bring those experiences together and pursue my dream of telling stories in my community that matter; stories about organizations and people who are making a difference. Today, what keeps me going is taking someone’s vision, shaping it into a compelling story, and helping share it with the world.
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Yes. I handle all of the video and photography production, and I keep you involved in the creative process rather than disappearing with a camera and returning with something you’ve never seen. You will know what we are shooting, why, and how it fits your goals before the actual day arrives.
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My time in the Navy taught me how to work with people from different cultures and backgrounds, communicate clearly, build trust, and show up prepared. On a shoot, that means I’m respectful of the people and environment I’m working in. I keep things organized and on schedule, and I bring a strong work ethic to every production. Those experiences shaped how I build relationships, which can make a big difference when you’re asking people to feel comfortable in front of a camera.
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We plan everything together before the day so I know what is sacred, what’s off-limits, and where I should and shouldn’t stand/ My approach is guided by cura personalis, care for the whole person, and that extends to your congregation as much as it does to you. I’ve had the privilege of doing this work with Holy Name Cathedral, the Archdiocese of Chicago, and Loyola University Chicago.
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It means every person in front of my camera is a partner in sharing their journey, not a subject I collect. Their safety, their agency, and their dignity stay intact. In practice that looks like asking before filming, explaining where the footage will go, and letting people decline. It also means I do not use any footage or photos featuring minors in my own marketing unless your organization gives explicit permission.
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Chicago. I work throughout the Chicagoland area, including the suburbs, and I am available for work elsewhere in the U.S. (just bring the dates and location to our call so we can plan around travel).
Together, we’ll create visual stories & lasting memories that inspire action.
Let’s talk about your campaign calendar, upcoming events, and content needs, and see how I can create visual content that supports your marketing goals and brings your vision to life.