More about your photographer...

My journey into photography began with storytelling long before I ever picked up a camera.

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I studied commercial photography at Harrington College of Design while the school was still open, before later shifting paths and graduating with a degree in Acting from Illinois State University, and continued on as a professional SAG/AFTRA Chicago actor! (You may have seen me on NBC's 'Chicago Fire,' 'Crisis,' and more!) Both disciplines shaped the way I see the world. Photography taught me composition, light, and technical precision. Acting taught me how to observe emotion, understand nuance, direct, and recognize the unspoken moments that carry the most meaning. Today, I bring both into every wedding I photograph.

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I have always been drawn to storytelling, on and off the stage. As a little girl, I lived in imagination, dreaming in fairy tales and longing to create my own. In many ways, I now get to do exactly that. I get to witness real love stories and preserve them with intention, beauty, and emotional depth.

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My professional experience spans multiple areas of photography. I have worked as a Fresh 48 newborn photographer, assisted other photographers in studio settings, and continue to photograph everything from weddings to full theatre productions. During 2020, I decided it was time to make my dream a reality, and officially start Gina Nicole Photography, resulting in over 14 years of experience!! Each of these experiences sharpened my eye for timing, emotion, and storytelling, allowing me to move fluidly between quiet, intimate moments and dynamic, fast-paced environments.

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I received my first camera from my mom for Christmas in 2012. Not long after, my dad was diagnosed with what would become his final battle with cancer. During that season of my life, I came to understand in the deepest way that time is fragile and moments are fleeting. I documented everything I could. The laughter, the ordinary days, the tender moments, the emotions that words could never hold. Those photographs are now some of my most treasured possessions. They are not just images. They are pieces of him. Pieces of us. Pieces of a life.

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That experience shaped everything about the way I photograph today.

I understand the weight that memories carry. I understand how important it is to have photographs that truly mean something. I see you, I hear you, and I hold your moments with care. You can trust me to preserve your story with intention, sensitivity, and respect, so that your memories can live on beautifully for generations.

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If you resonate with my story and feel connected to the way I see the world, then I believe you just found your photographer. I would be honored to tell your story next.