Your wedding day is one of the most important days in your life, and we will be there to help make it, from a Photography stand, as great as possible, stress free and capture the most important moments of your special day. Chicago Wedding Photography is there to make sure that everything concerning Photography goes as smooth as possible and everyone is completely satisfied with the photos. Shortly after the wedding, your photos can be set up on our Wedding Gallery so that you, your family and friends can view them and even download them.
During your wedding day, we will cover the bride getting ready, the ceremony, the reception, and of course, we will take all the bridal party photos necessary at one or more locations of your choice.
Our Albums are all uniquely designed for you. We don't use templates, and we don't use any one else's designs, so your album will be as unique as you are. At, Chicago Wedding Photography, we take our time to make your album as great as we think it can be and you always have the final say as to any changes before we send it to be printed and finalized. Our albums come in a large variety of sizes, pages and cover selection.
We offer Italian custom made albums, as well as locally printed albums. It all depends on what you like as your final product. Our sizes are from 8x10 to 16x20, pages start at a minimum of 20, and basic colors are black, ivory and burgundy,although custom made covers can be made of plex, metal, satin cover and wood covers.
Also, besides your traditional wedding album, we offer wedding photobooks, photo DVD (tv-slideshow), wedding canvas prints, wedding linen prints, and of course, traditional photographic prints.
Served areas
- Chicago, Il
Highlights and features
- Wedding Photography, Engagement Photography, Trash the Dress Photography
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Services
Gia reviewed personally over 15 locations from the iconic Adler Planetarium and North Avenue Beach to the Baha'i Temple and Chicago Botanic Garden. Gia went above and beyond to make our dream come true! My girlfriend and I took some days off from work to visit Chicago. Without my girlfriend knowing, I contacted Gia because I saw some beautiful surprise proposal photos online from her. I wanted the moment to be a surprise for my girlfriend (now fiancee!) so Gia and I set a time and date for the proposal.
Normally on a regular full day wedding, with ceremony, reception and wedding party photos there will be about 1000-1500 photos. We take unlimited photos. If you have any specific poses you might like, it would be very helpful for you to bring the ideas to the photographer. Wedding party shots are taken at a time and place previously decided on by the bride and groom and the photographer. We use Canon equipment for the cameras, lenses and flashes, and Elinchrom for the lighting equipment (if needed).
Gia reviewed personally over 15 locations from the iconic Adler Planetarium and North Avenue Beach to the Baha'i Temple and Chicago Botanic Garden. Trash the Dress sessions require timing, skill, and often diverse locations to get the shot just right. What's best about this, however, is that it can be arranged for a later time, thus giving you the perfect opportunity to add a different style to your wedding photos and give the dress one more run for the money.Usually brides decide to have pictures taken on a beach, but other locations include city streets, rooftops, garbage dumps, fields, and abandoned buildings.
Have your wedding cake designer walk you through the options for styling your wedding cake and be sure to taste all your options before making a decision. When you have made an appointment to sample wedding cakes and determine what you will have at your wedding, first consider the number of guests you will need to feed at the reception.
When shopping for jewelry for your wife or girlfriend, consider her lifestyle and hobbies. If she tends to dress conservatively and enjoys traditional and classic styles, opt for diamond studs, simple chains, or tennis bracelets. If she constantly changes up her look, consider jewelry with interchangeable pendants, stones, or beads.
People
Gia Dragoi
Photographer
Originally from Romania, I grew up and studied Photography in Miami, Florida. I currently live in Chicago with my husband, and my google-puddle puppy Smokie, who is the subject of my many pet photos. Most recently, my work has been officially recompensed with the 2011 Best of Chicago Wedding Photographers Award by the US Commerce Association (USCA).
For me, Photography is more than a job; it is my passion, my career, and my life. As I think my images show, I love to photograph most of all happy people in exquisite settings. I take most of my photos in a photojournalistic way and my approach to wedding Photography is that of a narrator, and my style is a mix of photojournalism and creative portraiture. To that end, I'm more interested in capturing the moment, rather than a fake smile, and so, after many years of experience, I know when to capture life as it happens without restraint.
For me, Photography is more than a job; it is my passion, my career, and my life. As I think my images show, I love to photograph most of all happy people in exquisite settings. I take most of my photos in a photojournalistic way and my approach to wedding Photography is that of a narrator, and my style is a mix of photojournalism and creative portraiture. To that end, I'm more interested in capturing the moment, rather than a fake smile, and so, after many years of experience, I know when to capture life as it happens without restraint.
Photos
Reviews (10)
Nicole Bordian
Jan 25, 2022
We had Gia take our pregnancy photo session and they turned out FANTASTIC! such a beautiful memory from this important period of our family's history. She was fun but professional and made me feel very comfortable in front of the camera, which usually doesn't happen. Thank you, Gia! you are the best!
Manasa Pragada
Jan 10, 2022
Gia is the sweetest person you will ever meet. She went above and beyond to capture every moment of my bach party perfectly and we had so much fun working with her. Gia was so easy to communicate with throughout the whole process and the album was delivered quickly. We have received so many compliments the bach photos and couldn't be happier with images Gia Dragoi delivered!
Jp Dorval
Aug 04, 2021
Savvy Gonsalves
May 16, 2021
Michael Bresnahan
Feb 11, 2021
What an incredible experience! I used Gia for a surprise engagement photo shoot and boy, did she show up and bring all the big guns! She arrived at the location early and was ready, recording video as well as taking photos before, during, and after! She was incredibly knowledgeable about the location and have me advice on how to travel there, what direction to come from, and where to propose for the best photos.
She even handled some unexpected guests interrupting us and did it all so professionally, skillfully, and so very friendly. We got the photos and video that same evening and they were absolutely incredible. High quality photos that captured the story and feeling of our special day. Highly recommended for any special moments you want captured in a natural and comfortable way. If you need photos in Chicago, Gia is your go to, hands down!
She even handled some unexpected guests interrupting us and did it all so professionally, skillfully, and so very friendly. We got the photos and video that same evening and they were absolutely incredible. High quality photos that captured the story and feeling of our special day. Highly recommended for any special moments you want captured in a natural and comfortable way. If you need photos in Chicago, Gia is your go to, hands down!
Irina Stepanov
Mar 10, 2020
I met Gia at Stan Mansion's open house in January and I absolutely love her energy and the hard work and dedication she puts into photography. Besides being an awesome person, she has real talent and a very good eye on the details that are extremely important and emotional and will mean so much after your special event is over and all you are left with are memories. and pictures! Gia is one of the recommended photographers on the Stan Mansion's vendors list and I can, with no doubt recommend her to our couples, she brought two of her amazing books for display and I absolutely love them. They help me present the venue better to the couples who come and tour the space. I love her work and the dedication and would highly recommend Gia!
Gonzalo Campillo-Alvarado
Nov 05, 2019
Gia went above and beyond to make our dream come true! My girlfriend and I took some days off from work to visit Chicago. Without my girlfriend knowing, I contacted Gia because I saw some beautiful surprise proposal photos online from her. I wanted the moment to be a surprise for my girlfriend (now fiancee!) so Gia and I set a time and date for the proposal.
I was really nervous (not something I do everyday) since the proposal day was really cold and windy but Gia made sure to capture every single moment from the proposal and the photos turned out to be awesome. We have shown the photos to our loved ones and friends and are able to recreate the moment every time. We will remember this day for the rest of our lives and appreciate all the effort and kindness from Gia. Look no more for the perfect surprise proposal photographer!
I was really nervous (not something I do everyday) since the proposal day was really cold and windy but Gia made sure to capture every single moment from the proposal and the photos turned out to be awesome. We have shown the photos to our loved ones and friends and are able to recreate the moment every time. We will remember this day for the rest of our lives and appreciate all the effort and kindness from Gia. Look no more for the perfect surprise proposal photographer!
Kelly Gleason
Jun 03, 2019
Gia is amazing - when she is directing a photo shoot, she provides perfect instructions and sets up nice shots. Most importantly to me, she is amazing at being a fly on the wall - she captured hundreds of excellent candid shots (one below included) without anyone really noticing she was there. She was always there when I needed her for a specific picture, without me even realizing how close she stayed to the groom and myself throughout the evening. She captured excellent shots of my guests, as well.
Elizabeth M.
Nov 21, 2018
Gia photographed my wedding downtown Chicago and it went wonderfully. She took into account every consideration and had so many great ideas of her own for photos to take. After the ceremony she was efficient and organized in getting the groups through the different photos. During the reception we had an unplanned change in the schedule and she was very responsive, flexible and easy to work with. We received the photos within the time frame she committed to. I would definitely recommend her as a wedding photographer.
Arun Prakash
Mar 07, 2018
Gia - the best in town. With no doubt acquire her services. The rate is better and the quality is the best. She gave us a lot of inputs on posing. Also, she brought lot of props which just enhanced the beauty of the picture. we took a pre-wedding photoshoot for 2 hours at Adler planetarium. She also helped us with selecting the location and find a make up artist for my wife.
She is so sweet. She patiently walked with us to every beautiful location in and around the Adler Planetarium. In fact, she was the one who suggested those places. We can't thank her enough for capturing the beautiful moments at the city we met. Go for Gia :
She is so sweet. She patiently walked with us to every beautiful location in and around the Adler Planetarium. In fact, she was the one who suggested those places. We can't thank her enough for capturing the beautiful moments at the city we met. Go for Gia :