From Photo to UX-journey photographer to user experience research and design

Empathy. Exploration. Engagement.


Hi there! I'm Heidi, a User Experience (UX) Researcher/Designer with a love for understanding people and their interactions with technology. I thrive on exploring human behavior and psychology to uncover insights that drive meaningful user experiences. My journey has been marked by exploring the intersection of UX with business strategy, content, and marketing. Seeing missed opportunities when these disciplines aren't aligned is painful knowing how challenging it is to get and keep customers.
I live on the Southside of Chicago with two dogs, two cats, a husband and lots of plants.

subtle emotion of girl in purple photography by heidi brady of hjb photo

Facts about me


Masters Human-Computer Interaction(HCI) DePaul University-Chicago
BFA College of Creative Studies(CCS)-Detroit
Detroit Native - Chicago transplant
Chicago Art Institue Textile Society Member
US National Gymnastics Team Member
Animal lover

photo of heidi brady taking photos in East Africa

User Experience (UX) Via Photography

I entered the UX field after running my own photography business for 12+ years. In addition to the photography, I handled website and content creation, marketing, sales, SEO and analytics. This full range of skills learned on-the-job taught me the importance of all of the pieces working together. Before launching my business, I was steeped in photography sales, research and technical website support with Getty Images and other stock photography companies.

Websites created and maintained for HJB Photo.

screenshot of the HJB Photo website by photographer Heidi Brady
HJB Photo
screenshot of HJB Dog and puppy photography by Heidi Brady
HJB Dog Photo
Screenshot of HJB Maternity and newborn photography by Heidi Brady
HJB Maternity & Newborn Photo
Business Headshot of professional woman taken by Heidi Brady of HJB Photo
Crafted countless portraits for business profiles and websites
Heidi Brady's photo from Uganda East Africa on the cover of the Lancet Medical Journal
Landed cover shot for Lancet Medical Journal
'Drums, dancers, and a bird as big as you!'- African childrens book by Heidi Brady and Lori Michau
Created and published an African children's counting book “Drums, dancers and a bird as big as you”
One of many photos on Raising Voices website taken by heidi brady
Violence prevention work with Raising Voices-East African Nonprofit organization
Maybelline contest winners cover
Maybelline NY contest winner
photo of Gillian Flynn for the Gone Girl book by heidi brady
Created Gillian Flynn’s Gone Girl author photo

Insights gathered from Photography

1.

If you stay longer and look deeper you will likely be surprised by how wrong your assumptions were.



2.

Telling a story requires choosing one amongst many- wonder about the one you are choosing.

Photo of a teen girl in Tanzania, East Africa with headscarf looking at camera
photo of twin babies crying and throwing tantrum on floor in diapers by Heidi Brady

3.

Some of the best shots come from ideas and situations you think have failed.



4.

Worry not about what you see in front of you, but about what you might be missing by looking there.

Midwest Design Research | Heidi Brady | 2024