JOY VERTZ, Founder

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 serves the Milwaukee metropolitan market and with their Northshore Mequon studio, our location has over 5,000 square feet of studio space. Shoot the Moon has a wide variety of shooting locations in its studio for everyone including 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.

ANGELA HALLEMAN,
Senior Associate Photographer

Angela, an employee since 2005 has years of experience and has spent years in direct study under Joy Vertz. Angela brings a fresh but beautifully lit, perfectly composed style to Shoot the Moon Photography. Her keen attention to detail makes for ultra-flattering posing and her ability to relate to children makes her a superstar photographer for children and families. Angela’s beautiful and creative lighting creates breathtaking senior portraits with the fun, fresh vibe graduating seniors want in their senior pictures.

MELISSA MILLER,
Studio Director, Photographer

As associate studio director and photographer, Melissa utilizes her talents in many ways at our Northshore studio in Mequon. 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.

Melissa also manages and runs our framing department and oversees quality control. She is essentially the go-to person of the studio and will greet you with a sweet smile and cheery attitude.

KATHY SAUTER,
Digital Imaging

Kathy has over two decades of experience and a rare artistic eye and creative vision that is a key asset for our clients. Kathy has extensive knowledge in Photoshop and other digital products. Along with your Photographic Artist, Kathy works to help ensure your portraits are breathtakingly beautiful and that they fulfill the vision of your photographer.

Kathy is quite frankly the one that will soften lines, fix sleeves, erase wrinkles, straighten ties, add black socks where they were formerly white and make sure everyone looks their absolute best!