Gloss Photography Studios (Chicago), Chicago

Professional photographer Jaci Ruben approaches every shoot with a clean slate, taking cues from the personalities of those centered in her lens rather than imposing a fixed aesthetic onto a client or occasion. The resulting photos are marked by a certain naturalness and are made unique by the photographer's willingness to break with outmoded photography conventions.

When she's not taking photographs, Jaci engages in locally focused philanthropic efforts that include her own organization, ProjectStella. The initiative was named after her dog and studio companion Stella, and has raised funds for the Milwaukee Humane Society since 2009.