This Mother-Son Professional Photography Team Is A Dynamic Duo

^{Amy Boyle and her son, Colin, a senior at Lane Tech, are both professional photographers. [Stephanie Gudeman]}

CHICAGO — Amy Boyle has found the secret sauce for bonding with her 18-year-old son, Colin: photography.

Both Boyles are professional photographers: Amy for the last 17 years; Colin — now a Lane Tech senior — since his freshman year of high school.

"At a time where teenagers can be pulling away, it brings us together," said Amy Boyle, of Lincoln Park. "He loves to give me tips. It's mutually beneficial fun. It feels good. It's rewarding."

Amy Boyle has been taking pictures since she was 9 years old, when she won a fundraising contest and selected a Polaroid camera as her reward. For her company — Amy Boyle Photography — she takes production shots for theaters and small businesses. She has a large client list and travels extensively for magazine work to places like Brazil, Italy and Germany.

^{A Perfect Event Fall 2015 Magazine photo spread from Amy and Colin Boyle.}

She's brought Colin, the second oldest of her four sons, on many of her trips, and he's shared photo credit for some of those assignments.

"I've been her assistant since third grade," he said. "I've helped her with whatever she's needed me to do."

Colin has been fascinated with photography since he was a 7-year-old snapping shots of the South Dakota Badlands. Amy bought him his first digital camera when he was 9 years old. He's had a photography blog since he was 10.

"He's always seemed to have an inclination for this," Amy Boyle said.

Colin, who will attend either Northwestern — Amy's alma mater — or Missouri for journalism, wants to work for National Geographic or a similar publication. He already makes money taking photos for MileSplit, a high school track and field publication, and a variety of Lane Tech sporting and other events.

"I've really showed a passion for this," Colin Boyle said. "When it comes to photography, I can have conversations for hours."

^{"Billy Elliot" grand tour of 2013 photo taken by Amy Boyle.}