Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Gia Dragoi. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Gia, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Do you take vacations? Why or why not?

Yes, absolutely. Everyone needs vacations, time to spend with family and friends. Recharge and then go back to work.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

For those who haven’t had the pleasure yet, I’m Gia, a wedding photographer right here in the vibrant city of Chicago. I’m passionate about capturing the timeless beauty of traditional wedding photography while also weaving in the genuine, heartfelt moments that unfold naturally throughout the day – that’s where the candid side comes in. Ultimately, my focus is always on you, the couple, and bringing your unique vision for your wedding memories to life.
As a wedding photographer, I provide a range of services designed to comprehensively document your special day. This includes full-day coverage, ensuring that everything from the nervous excitement of getting ready to the joyous celebration on the dance floor is beautifully preserved. I offer engagement sessions as well, which are a wonderful opportunity for us to connect, for you to get comfortable in front of the camera, and to create some beautiful images that tell the story of your journey as a couple. Following the wedding, you’ll receive a carefully curated collection of high-resolution, professionally edited images in an online gallery, making it easy to share and cherish your memories. I also offer options for creating stunning wedding albums and prints, tangible heirlooms that you can treasure for generations to come.
What sets me apart? I believe it’s my commitment to that balance of traditional and candid photography, always keeping your vision at the forefront. I have a strong foundation in classic posing and composition, ensuring those timeless portraits you’ll cherish forever. But I also have a keen eye for capturing those spontaneous, unscripted moments – the laughter between bridesmaids, the groom’s emotional glance as his partner walks down the aisle, the pure joy on the dance floor. It’s these authentic moments that truly tell the story of your day.
The main things I want potential clients to know about me and my brand are that I am deeply passionate about what I do, that I am committed to providing a personalized and stress-free experience, and that I genuinely care about capturing the unique story of your wedding day. I believe in the power of photography to preserve not just images, but emotions and memories. When you choose me as your photographer, you’re choosing someone who will be there to document your day with artistry, care, and a genuine understanding of what this momentous occasion means to you.

Can you open up about how you funded your business?

Funding my photography business was a gradual process that really started organically after I graduated from the Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale. I didn’t have a large initial capital injection; instead, my journey began with a series of small, meaningful steps fueled by passion and a bit of resourceful bootstrapping.

My first “clients” were my friends who were getting married. They knew I was passionate about photography and had just finished my studies, so they were willing to entrust me with capturing their special days. These early experiences were invaluable, not just for building my portfolio but also for providing the initial, albeit modest, funds to reinvest in my budding business. The fees I charged were enough to cover my basic equipment costs for those specific weddings, like film and processing back then, or perhaps a small upgrade to a lens.

As I photographed more friends’ weddings, I started to build a small savings. Word-of-mouth referrals began to trickle in, leading to more opportunities. With each paid job, I made a conscious effort to allocate a portion of the earnings back into the business. This meant slowly but surely upgrading my equipment – perhaps a better camera body, a more versatile lens, or essential lighting gear. I prioritized investments that would directly impact the quality of my work and allow me to offer a more professional service.

I also kept my initial overhead costs incredibly low. I didn’t have a separate studio space; instead, I worked from home, utilizing my existing computer and software for editing. Marketing in the early days was primarily through my growing portfolio and those crucial word-of-mouth referrals. I built a simple website myself to showcase my work.

Looking back, my initial capital wasn’t a significant lump sum but rather a gradual accumulation of earnings from those early, trust-based opportunities with friends. It was a slow and steady climb, fueled by the income generated from each wedding and a commitment to reinvesting in the tools and resources I needed to grow. This organic approach allowed me to build my business sustainably, one beautiful wedding at a time.

We’d love to hear about how you keep in touch with clients.

Staying connected with my clients and nurturing that sense of loyalty is something I genuinely value, and it’s evolved quite naturally over time. Because I started by photographing friends’ weddings, that personal touch has always been ingrained in my approach.

One of the most rewarding aspects of being a wedding photographer is witnessing the next chapter of my couples’ lives. It brings me immense joy that many of my wedding clients have become repeat clients for their growing families. The fact that they trust me to capture their precious milestones year after year, especially those adorable family photos, speaks volumes, and it’s a testament to the connection we made during their wedding. These annual family sessions become more than just photoshoots; they’re opportunities to reconnect, catch up, and see how their families have blossomed.

For past clients, I occasionally send out a newsletter or a personal email with updates on my work, perhaps sharing a recent blog post or highlighting special offers for family sessions. I try to keep these communications genuine and not overly promotional, focusing on providing value or simply staying in touch.

I also believe that the experience I provide during their wedding day is crucial for fostering long-term loyalty. By being professional yet friendly, attentive to their needs, and delivering beautiful images that they’ll cherish forever, I aim to create a positive and memorable experience. This positive association naturally leads to clients feeling comfortable reaching out again for future photography needs.

Ultimately, for me, keeping in touch and fostering brand loyalty isn’t about a rigid marketing strategy. It’s about building genuine relationships, remembering the special moments we shared, and continuing to be a part of their story as their lives unfold. The fact that so many of my wedding clients return for family photos each year is the most heartwarming form of brand loyalty I could ask for.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.weddingphotographerinchicago.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/giadragoiphotography/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/giaphotos/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/chicago-wedding-engagement-photographer-gia-photos/
• Twitter: https://x.com/GiaPhotos
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/GiaPhotos/videos
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/gia-photos-wedding-photography-chicago?osq=giaphotos

Image Credits

All images are copyrighted by giaphotos.com. Gia Photos