Bruce Mondschain has been an active photographer in the Chicago area for over 30 years. Beginning his photographic journey with a 35 mm Kodak Retinette, he captured defining moments in history in both the Middle East and Poland. He has exhibited his photo projects of Greece and Alaska in addition to in depth photo studies of Native American pageantry, the homeless, "mud circus" life and the "tattoo culture."

The journey has included 33MM, medium formal and now digital work and includes hand- tinted images. For the past 17 years, Mondschain has worked from his studio creating both portraits and finearts figure study. He has been fortunate to have studied with, and being mentored by, Louise Potter Weinberg, Ronald Anthony, and most recently, Art Ketchum. He has served on the acquisition committee of The Museum of Contemporary Photography, Columbia College, Chicago. His works have been displayed at a range of venues including Echo Gallery, the Hyatt Corporation, Gallery Placik and the Renaissance Theater. Two gallery shows are planned for later this year.

In the fall of 2006, Mondschain was invited to visit renowned folk singer Pete Seeger at his Beacon, NY, home, and take portraits of the 90-year-old spokesperson for folk music. The following spring, Folkways division of the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, DC, acquired five of the images which have been displayed multiple times in their publications, new letters and which will appear in pending books.

In early summer of 2009, Seeger contacted Mondschain inviting him to serve as his personal photographer at the Madison Square Garden tribute to him on his 90th birthday. Images taken during that four- plus hour concert have also been acquired by the Smithsonian Folkways division and include, amongst others: Bruce Springsteen, Dave Mathews, John Mellencamp, Joan Baez, Arlo Guthrie, Bela Fleck, Tom Chapin, Tom Paxton, Emmylou Harris, Kris Kristofferson, Richie Havens, Roger McGuinn, Taj Mahal, Tony Trischka, Toshi Reagon and Tao Rodrigues-Seeger.