Joy Vertz – Founder of Shoot the Moon Photography

Shoot the Moon was founded by lifelong Wisconsin resident, Joy Vertz. Joy is an experienced entrepreneur that has been involved in many business ventures focused on the creative arts. Joy has used her vast business experience in the creative arts to have a positive impact on the Milwaukee Northshore area and with the community organizations she has been involved with over the years. Joy has a Bachelor of Art degree in Studio Art from Lawrence University where she was specifically trained in multiple mediums including painting, printmaking, sculpture, and photography. Joy and her family currently reside in River Hills, Wisconsin.

The distinct aim of Joy and everyone at Shoot the Moon photography is to use creative photography to develop exquisite portraits that clearly reflect her client’s personality. Joy strives to capture candid, natural expressions and presents them in a beautiful and timeless way.

Under Joy's artistic vision and entrepreneurial leadership, Shoot the Moon Photography has been selected as the Milwaukee area's top-rate portraiture studio. Shoot the Moon has two state of the art fine art portraiture studios the the Milwaukee metropolitan market. With their Northshore Mequon studio and their recently added Lake Country studio in historic Downtown Delafield, each location has over 5,000 square feet of studio space. Shoot the moon has over 70 shooting location in its studios for everyone from maternity, infants, children, seniors, and families. Joy takes great pride in her unique, photojournalistic styles. Joy's goal is to make sure every portrait session is very unique.

Shoot the Moon Photography has attracted clients all throughout the Milwaukee area as well as individuals throughout Wisconsin, Illinois, Minnesota, Ohio, Florida, California, New York, New Jersey, Colorado, Iowa, North Carolina, Alabama, Utah and from even as far as The Netherlands.

Leah Kilmer – Studio Director  

As the Studio Director for Shoot the Moon Photography, Leah always makes sure our clients have an incredible customer experience and ensures our client's expectations are always exceeded. Leah's unique design flair and knowledge of scale and color make her a unique asset to Shoot the Moon Photography. Leah conducts many of Shoot the Moon's portrait viewing sessions and will help you determine the best portraits, products and frames to suit your needs. Leah also oversees many of the business areas of Shoot the Moon Photography including framing, client services, customer care and the Shoot the Moon Concierge Services program for any special needs our clients have.

Megan McCormick & Angela Meier - Senior Associate Photographers

Megan and Angela have many years of experience and have spent years in direct study under Joy Vertz, founder of Shoot the Moon Photography.  Megan and Angela began their career years ago both as apprentices to Joy Vertz and studied the unique style and artistry that Shoot the Moon is known internationally for.  Today, Megan and Angela are Senior Associate Photographers specializing in all areas of fine art portraiture with a unique flair for style and that distinct Shoot the Moon look.

Amy Bruss - Senior Associate PhotographerAmy has a compelling and unique vision in her fine art portrait style and has been working with families in the Lake Country area for many years. Amy has vast experience in working with everyone from small infants to high school seniors to families. She is well respected for her expertise and has strong Wisconsin roots in fine art portraiture and the vision Shoot the Moon is distinctly known for.

Melissa Miller - Associate Studio Manager

As the associate studio manager, Melissa focuses her talents at both the Lake Country Delafield and Northshore Mequon studios. With a BA degree in Visual Art, Melissa has a distinct passion for fine art portraiture and working with Shoot the Moon clients. Melissa also brings a great amount of knowledge from her expertise in the fine art gallery market where she has apprenticed for many years. Melissa is always available to meet the specific needs of our clients in the many creative and business areas at Shoot the Moon.

Alix Neville - Design Coordinator

As the Design Coordinator for our Delafield Studio, Alix has strong roots in the Lake Country area. Alix has a compelling vision that our Lake Country clients are seeking in fine art portraiture. Alix is very focused on understanding your needs after the initial portrait session has been completed and works with you as your personal concierge one on one to determine the best portraits, frames, and accessories for your home, office and for other family members and friends. With a keen instinct for understanding your sense of style and your personality and tastes, Alix is a trusted designer that will help bring out the best in your portrait and frame selections.

Dana Mayne - Design Coordinator

You will always have a wonderful experience in your viewing and ordering session with Dana's exceptional vision in assisting you with your fine art portrait selections. Dana is very focused on understanding your needs after the initial portrait session has been completed and works with you as your personal concierge one on one to determine the best portraits, frames, and accessories for your home, office and for other family members and friends. With a keen instinct for understanding your sense of style and your personality and tastes, Dana is a trusted designer that will help bring out the best in your portrait and frame selections.

Business & Community Outreach Division and Shoot the Moon Foundation - Kristina Eckert & Nancy McLaughlin

Kristina and Nancy are Shoot the Moon's Business & Community Outreach Coordinator's. Kristina & Nancy have a great wealth of experience and expertise and are well known in the Milwaukee area for their community involvement. As the Business and Community Outreach Coordinator's - Kristina & Nancy oversee all aspects of managing Shoot the Moon's partnerships with other businesses and community organizations. Further, Kristina & Nancy are involved in helping manage the Shoot the Moon Foundation. Through the Shoot the Moon Foundation, the company regularly donates its photography talent, time, services, and products to dozens of non-profit organizations and those in need every year.

Amanda Gielow - Marketing Coordinator and Client Services

Amanda helps oversee marketing campaigns and client services for Shoot the Moon. Amanda is called upon to do just about anything that needs to be done for our clients. Amanda also oversees the many marketing campaigns that Shoot the Moon is involved with in keeping our clients up to date on our special events and ongoing activities.

The client experience is what sets Shoot the Moon apart from everyone else and we are always trying to outdo ourselves to make everyone's experience at Shoot the Moon is simply unforgettable and completely wonderful. Whether it's making sure our clients have their favorite drink when they enter the studio ready and waiting for them, keeping our award-winning studio in pristine condition, and also providing services such as framing, packaging, appointment setting, or just about anything else that needs attention for our clients, Amanda is always a friendly face to make sure everything is moving extremely smoothly and that our clients expectations are always exceeded.

Scott Curty, Commercial Director of STMcreative

STMcreative is Shoot the Moon Photography’s commercial photography division. To learn more go to www.STMcreative.com.

STMcreative is lead by Scott Curty who has worked professionally behind the camera for over 20 years in his award-winning career. His skills and experience range from commercial production to documentary and news gathering. Scott’s work has taken him across the glob to locations which include Africa, Cuba, Canada, Europe, Mexico, Saudi Arabia and here at home. A story teller at heart, Scott understands the power of images and how they convey emotion and speak to an audience.

Throughout Scott’s career he has won awards including:

• Emmy Award
• Addy Awards
• NPPA Awards from the National Press Photographers Association

Scott has had vast experience throughout his career with commercial photography projects in just about every type of market out there – some examples include: food & beverage, training, sales & marketing, industrial, sports, outdoor lifestyles, music, and technology.