Gia Dragoi trained at the Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale before moving to Chicago, and she has more than 20 years behind the camera. She shoots every proposal herself, with no associates sent in her place.
Vendors in Chicago
Still choosing the spot? Our Chicago guide has the places that work at sunrise, in the middle of the day, and at sunset.
Jason Kaczorowski took his first paid photography job in 1995 and has run his studio in Chicago since 2007. He no longer shoots every proposal himself. A team of seven photographers covers the dates, so ask who will be behind the camera on yours. Jason still plans each proposal with you and edits the pictures, and the studio handles the park permit where a location needs one.
As a kid in Skokie, Kenny Nakai drew comic strips. He majored in biology and worked in camera shops before a friend talked him into shooting her engagement photos, on the grounds that he'd be free. He has photographed Chicago weddings since 2007, works alone with no assistants, and does his own editing.
Maurice Strickland, who goes by Sonny, has worked as a photographer since 2003, in commercial portraiture, fashion and weddings. He has covered New York and Paris fashion weeks, and his wedding count is past 200.
The Proposal Studios is Jeremy Glickstein's dedicated proposal studio, kept separate from his wedding work. Jeremy spent more than ten years as a professional actor and acting coach, then years of fine art street photography. About half the people he photographs warn him beforehand that they don't photograph well.