Jan 6, 2026 - Education

Chicago photographer reveals CPS students' everyday moments

Carrie Shepherd

Teen girl with long braided hair wearing a brown hoodie and colorful backpack looking at herself in a bathroom mirror with beige tiles and pink walls. — Jael's portrait was included in an exhibit at the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery in 2022. Jael became the face of the project when her portrait was chosen for the cover of In Their Own Light. Photo: Courtesy of Melissa Ann Pinney

Photographer Melissa Ann Pinney has had a consistent presence in Chicago Public Schools for the last several years, capturing both the mundane and memorable moments.

The big picture: Pinney started photographing at Bell School in 2018 through the Artists in Public Schools residency, which places artists in schools across the city to help tap into the creativity of students and staff and collaborate on projects.

Person wearing a teal ear-flap hat, leopard-print face mask, loose purple shirt with a blue tie, white tutu, and colorful cartoon leggings, standing against a teal wall with shadows. — "Initially, I asked Lizzie to make a portrait with me because she seemed to be so much herself and dressed so artistically," Pinney tells Axios. "In the midst of photographing Lizzie in the old gym, the boys basketball team started running laps, casting shadows onto the wall where Lizzie stood. The shadow in her portrait was unplanned, one of those synchronistic disruptions that bring a sense of mystery and complexity to a picture." Photo: Courtesy of Melissa Ann Pinney

State of play: Pinney also documented the merger of Ogden and Jenner schools in 2019 and is currently posted at Senn High School.

Coach holding child talks to female flag football players in green uniforms and navy helmets on a field, forming a huddle during practice or game break. — "This is the fourth year that Chicago Public Schools have offered girls the opportunity to play flag football. The game pictured here was in honor of the seniors' last season of flag football at Senn High School," Pinney says. "Coach Kenny brought her wife and children for the occasion; it's the only time I saw her coaching with a child on her hip. I loved the multi-generational image of a coach and a mom leading the all female team." Photo: Courtesy of Melissa Ann Pinney

Zoom in: Pinney says capturing the intimate moments of students requires a level of trust that often comes after students she's previously photographed "vouch" for her.

"Each time we make a portrait, I think the students feel my commitment to mirror their individual dignity and beauty. This is communicated through my respect for each student and my close attention to the details of composition and light," Pinney says.

Young man in patterned white tuxedo jacket with embellished lapels, black shirt, bow tie, and gray pants adjusting belt. He has a heart haircut design on his head. Mirror and red gold curtain background. — "I photographed Jakolbi only once, at prom in 2019, drawn by the broken heart shaved into his hair. In January 2022, I learned that Jakolbi had been shot and killed," Pinney says. "Jakolbi's death and the passage of time bring a different perspective to the broken heart shaved into his scalp. Now I see the wings formed by the mirror frame behind Jakolbi's back. I think it is important for all of us to see the children and teens who have been killed by gun violence in our city." Photo: Courtesy of Melissa Ann Pinney

Reality check: Pinney is also present in the dark moments, like when gun violence takes the life of one of the students she's come to know.

"Tragically, eight students I photographed died that way. As difficult as this is for me as a witness who cares deeply about the students, I do not compare it to the devastation experienced by the families and friends at the center of the tragedies."

A coach in gray shirt and beige cap places a hand on the helmet of a football player wearing a green jersey with white number 4, named Caleb, standing on a sunny field. — "Haziz was one of the assistant football coaches and closer in age to the boys than the head coach at the time. Caleb was touched by this picture because he'd known Haziz since middle school — Haziz graduated with Caleb's older sister," Pinney says. "Haziz looked out for Caleb every season, mentoring him like a younger brother ... we see the feeling communicated through their gestures. Many of the students have been together since middle school and know each other's families. There is great loyalty and friendship between them." Photo: Courtesy of Melissa Ann Pinney

Go deeper: Pinney's CPS portraits are collected in her book, "In Their Own Light: Photographs from Chicago Public Schools."

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Chicago photographer reveals CPS students' everyday moments

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