While not exactly new to the neighborhood, the Sinise Family is proud to call Glen Ellyn their forever home. They might be known for being the crazy cat family in the Abraham Lincoln neighborhood as they have three cats and have fostered several more. Karly can be seen around town with her camera in hand, photographing families, events throughout Chicagoland, and documenting many programs with the Glen Ellyn Park District. Bianca, 11 and a student at Hadley Middle School, is passionate about her cats, dancing with Trinity Irish Dance Academy and acting. Anthony, a first grader at Abraham Lincoln, is obsessed with Legos and learning how to play the drums at Glen Ellyn’s School of Rock.

Karly has been a photographer for 20 years, starting as a photojournalist in Bloomington, Indianapolis, and Northeast Indiana before moving to Chicago in 2012 while her ex-husband could pursue a law degree at Kent. 

“I LOVED being a photojournalist and it was difficult to leave that behind. But after my daughter was born, I needed something flexible. I photographed a friend of a friend’s wedding and after meeting a family that was looking for Spring portraits, Karly Tearney Photography just snowballed into a portrait business.”

Fast forward a few years into city living and the time came to move the family to their current home on Ridgewood Avenue. 

“The idea of raising my family in the city thrilled me. I grew up in an all-white community surrounded by cornfields. We had to drive an hour just to get to the mall. Chicago had everything I ever wanted and craved growing up and had a taste of it while going to college at Indiana University.”

It wasn’t until after photographing a family at Lake Ellyn Park that the suburbs even popped onto her radar. When the decision was made to move out of the city, Glen Ellyn was the first and really, only choice. Shortly after the move, a friend and client introduced her to the Glen Ellyn Newcomers and Neighbors Club and pitched the idea of being the club photographer. 

“I joined the club thinking that it would be a great way to meet other moms in the area and you know, why not?. I was the first of most of my friends to have kids and didn’t have any family in Illinois. It still surprises me to this day to think about how many friends I made just through this club. I’ve always kind of felt like the oddball out for some reason and not one person has ever made me feel like I didn’t belong here.It was especially difficult as I navigated being a single mom and I honestly don’t know how I would have survived without the friends I’ve made here. Our friends are like family.” 

In 2020 Karly joined the Glen Ellyn Park District and is often at the many events and programs, gathering photos for social media platforms and the seasonal playbooks. 

“Working for the park and sometimes the Village takes me back to the time I was working for small town newspapers. I truly love doing it, especially when the kids remember me and throw a huge smile my way. I swear other people’s kids like me more than my own.” 

While families are definitely the majority of what she photographs, high school seniors have become a fast favorite.  “My senior photos were in a windowless warehouse in Fort Wayne, Indiana. I love making it as unique as the student and try to get a read on the vibe that they really want. I want them to feel confident and empowered during this highly confusing time.” 

If she isn’t photographing the many happenings and families around Glen Ellyn she can be seen with Bianca and Anthony at their many extracurriculars. They love supporting local businesses like Barone’s, The Bookstore, Blackberry Market, Gather and Collect, and The Beer Cellar. Karly also highly recommends supporting local organizations like Go Green Glen Ellyn, Glen Ellyn Infant Welfare and Team Eileen In during the Chicago Polar Plunge. March is also Irish Dance Madness so they will be seen doing the jig throughout the area. Make sure and say hi and ask them why they love Glen Ellyn!