The Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce and Women in Business are excited to honor Lindsay Chan of Lindsay Chan Photography as a 2022 Woman of the Quarter. 

Lindsay Chan

Woman of the Quarter Q&A

Q: Describe your business and what you do.

I am the Owner & Photographer of Lindsay Chan Photography, LLC. I’m a portrait photographer based in Naperville serving the entire Chicagoland area. I work with babies, children, teens, and families as well as small business owners for branding/headshot photography. I also work in preschool/early childhood learning centers and daycares providing high-volume school photography services. 

Q: What do you love most about your work?

There are so many different parts of my work that I love, but I truly enjoy the storytelling and connection that I get to build in families through my work. For some, being in front of the camera is not their favorite. I’m passionate about helping everyone feel confident, but especially helping parents who might always be on the other side of their photo taking photos of their children to get IN the photos together! I also love donating my time and photography services to organizations in need as well as local & national non-profits. I volunteer with The Gold Hope Project, which gifts free photography sessions to families navigating pediatric cancer. I also serve as an affiliate photographer for Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep, which supports bereaved families who have experienced stillbirth heal through free in hospital photography services.

Q: What led you down your career path?

My background (and college degree) is actually in youth ministry and non-profit business management. After working in churches and then development/fundraising for a large corporate non-profit then followed by a local school for kids and adults with autism – I decided that I wanted to have more time at home raising and growing our family. As a teenager, I was always “that friend” with a camera and enjoyed photography as a hobby after learning on film in high school. While in college, I worked at the university’s office of external relations providing campus life photography for their website & social media. After our daughter was born in 2015, I took the leap of faith to push the side business that I had started to full time. In 2019, I opened my studio and I’m so thankful business has continued to grow and flourish.

Q: What advice do you have for other women in business?

I think it’s important to value yourself, your time, your skills and your expertise! Know your worth. Surrounding yourself with like minded women and cheerleaders in your family, friend group and professionally will only help you grow and learn. Community over competition, always!

“Comparison is the thief of joy” – Teddy Roosevelt

Put your blinders on, do YOU & keep putting one front of the other until you find your way to where you want to be!

Q: Name someone in your life who inspires you and tell us why.

There are so many people in my life that inspire me, but my parents are where it all started. They are both one of my greatest inspirations. My dad gave my my entrepreneurial spirit. He has worked so hard to build his own self-made business from the ground up, overcoming the rise and fall of the market over the years with unwavering faith and determination. My mom gave me persistence and perseverance (and a whole lot of stubbornness). My grandma was a single mom, and my mom was one of seven kids. She has always been the ultimate caregiver for everyone in our immediate family and extended family. She has also supported my dad and even eventually working alongside him as their business grew.

Q: What other passions and hobbies do you have?

I enjoy serving our community in many capacities, helping other small business grow through both Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce connections as well as general networking and connection. As a creative person by vocation, that seeps into other areas of my life. I enjoy crafting, sewing, graphic design and really anything that stirs up the artistic part of my brain. My husband and I are passionate about spending time together as a family, traveling and supporting our kids in their interests and hobbies.

Q: Aside from the Chamber, how do you stay connected within the Naperville community?

As a born and raised Napervillian, I have built so many relationships and connections over the years. Cultivating those connections into genuine friendships helps me to stay connected. I also love staying connected by supporting and frequenting other local businesses, networking events and putting myself out there as much as possible!

Woman of the Quarter Bio

Lindsay Chan is the Owner/Photographer of Lindsay Chan Photography, LLC. She is a portrait photographer based in Naperville serving the entire Chicagoland area. She works with babies, children, teens and families as well small business owners for branding/headshot photography. Lindsay is passionate about serving others through her business and many volunteer roles, supporting the small business community and helping.

Prior to building her own business, she worked as the Director of Children’s Ministries at Northminster Presbyterian Church in Peoria, IL, a Fundraising Coordinator with the Muscular Dystrophy Association and the Social Media Coordinator at Giant Steps in Lisle, IL.

Born and raised in Naperville & graduating from Naperville Central High School, Lindsay began learning photography on black and white film and developing her own film in the dark room at NCHS. After high school, the hobby and passion for photography grew throughout her college years.

Lindsay currently owns and operates her studio in South Naperville on IL Route 59 near the intersection of 83rd St. and works outdoors as well as on location. She also serves in various volunteer roles with local and national non-profits such as The Gold Hope Project, Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, K9 Enrichment Inititive, Flashes of Hope and more.

Lindsay Chan

Owner/Photographer

Lindsay Chan Photography, LLC

Connect with Lindsay at: lindsay@lindsaychanphotography.com