Hi, I’m Zakari.

I'm Zakari Kaletka (they/them), a Chicago-based photographer, videographer, and journalist. I photograph the way people gather: weddings and club nights, rehearsals and memorials, film festivals and family sessions. My work includes wedding and event coverage as a Fox + Ivory shooter, performance documentation for Chicago Danztheatre Ensemble, community storytelling for Life is Work, and camera operation for Mishkan Chicago. As a journalist, I've reported on Trans Day of Remembrance for Block Club Chicago and documented public meetings as a Chicago Documenters. I also edit video: nonprofit storytelling, performance docs, and wedding films. I'm pursuing multimedia and communications roles with organizations doing useful work in their communities, and I take on freelance photography, video, and editing projects alongside.

Education

M.A., Digital Media & Storytelling

Loyola University Chicago, 2022

B.A., Communications

University of Washington Tacoma

Experience

Marketing & Communications Intern, Reeling LGBTQ+ Film Festival (Chicago Filmmakers), 2026