Doug Birkenheuer certainly deserves a high-five for his hand-iwork.
Birkenheuer, 43, who lives in Chicago's Logan Square neighborhood, is the owner of Birkenheuer Photography, based in a near-650-square-foot studio in Roscoe Village. His latest project is "Hands On …" He's starting with "Chicago," which shows hands from people of different cultures coming together to spell the city's name.
"Hands On … ChiCAGO" showcases Birkenheuer's creative photographic lighting, beauty, flexibility and the expressive nature of hands.
"I never really thought of myself as being a commercial photographer, a wedding photographer, anything like that," said Birkenheuer, who is gay and has been living in Chicago since 1994. He is originally from Cincinnati and graduated from the Antonelli School of Photography in 1988.
"I really thought of myself as an art photographer, or someone who works with models since I enjoy fashion, that sort of thing.
"I was breaking all the [photography] rules that I learned in school [when I first started], and it appealed to people."
So he's stuck with his passion and his eagle eye behind the lens.
He's always had side jobs to supplement his income, such as his work now at Sidetrack, but his passion for photography has never waned. To that, he's had solo showings dating back to 1991 and group shows since 1989. And his public works have included the 2011 Champagne Wrapture Snowball, a benefit for Chicago House & Social Service Agency; and the traveling Faces of AIDS Exhibit in 2000, among others.
Birkenheuer's "Hands On ... ChiCAGO" also was featured on the CBS show The Good Wife.
He moved to Chicago in 1994 and worked out of his apartment for the first five years until moving into his current location in 1998.
His work now also includes fine-art photography, with a reputation for capturing the human form in exquisite expressions of emotion and movement. Plus, he does individual, couple and group portraits and headshots.
Birkenheuer hit the jackpot with his "Hands On …" project, though it wasn't completely his brainchild. Rather, Todd Mack from Four Sided Custom Framing of Chicago suggested Birkenheuer develop something with the name Chicago and the use of hands to spell the city.
A year later, "Hands On … ChiCAGO" was launched. It's now available for sale at Four Sided's locations in Lake View and Andersonville, and through the Chicago Architecture Foundation.
Birkenheuer is, naturally, expanding his "Hands On …" concept to different cities, such as his native Cincinnati, and different themes. For instance, there are "Hands On … pieces" with Chicago's neighborhoods. There also is a "Hands On … ChiCAGO" T-shirt for sale.
"I really love the Hands On … concept," Birkenheuer said.
For more information on Birkenheuer and the "Hands On …" project, go to: www.BirkenheuerPhotography.com .