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. It starts with a free planning call to settle the place, the time of day and the exact spot where you'll kneel, and then she and the proposer agree on map pins, a signal, what each of you will be wearing and live location sharing.
On the day she hides nearby and works from a distance with long telephoto lenses, so the ring box, your partner's face and the first hug come out close without her ever being seen. After the yes she walks over, introduces herself and goes straight into portraits. Olive Park at sunrise heads her list of Chicago spots, for a quiet stretch of lakefront with the whole skyline behind you. She'll also tell you to kneel on the side where your partner's face is toward the camera, and to celebrate before you look around for her.
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