Today we’d like to introduce you to Gail Reich.
Gail, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I studied Studio Art at Skidmore College. I had a great, but challenging, photography professor who was on the cutting edge of digital photography (which was a big deal in 2004). I really enjoyed the editing component of photo and always like graphic design, and so that is where I originally thought my career was going. Long story short, I was unhappy at my first job as a designer. During that time post-graduation, I also presented my portfolio to do some freelance graphic design work for Skidmore, and threw some photos in there as well. They ended up liking my photography and I did a little freelance work for them. I thought about becoming a professor and wanted to go back to graduate school. I ended up realizing that photography would be a great choice – it balanced my enjoyment of working digitally, but combined it with working with people and in an environment, that wasn’t sitting in an office all day long.
I ended up attending the School of the Art Institute of Chicago on a partial grant. I did not get into their Masters program at that time (They were the best photography program in the country at that time in 2005), but I essentially used my undergraduate credits and completed a year’s worth of work concentrating in photography to get a second Bachelor’s Degree in studio art. The original plan was to apply to their Master’s program, but that was no longer for me. While I was at SAIC, I had to do a mandatory internship. My placement was at a high-end wedding studio. I ended up taking a job offer at that wedding studio the next year. Eventually there was no room to grow at the studio, and thus I went out on my own.
Since then, I went to Northwestern for a Masters degree in Counseling Psychology. Now I balance a full-time psychotherapy private practice along with my photography business. My two businesses really inform one another, working with people and helping support stressful situations (like weddings!). I truly enjoy not relying on my photography full time, which means I can focus on less weddings and portraits, while also dedicating more time to those events and not rushing to churn out as many weddings and portrait shoots as possible. I get to produce quality photography, do all of my own editing and provide great customer service. I tend to work mostly from referrals, so my client base tends to be pretty wonderful. I don’t feel compelled to create packages or run sales, but really cater to what my clients want on a more individual basis.
Has it been a smooth road?
It has not been a smooth road, nor a straightforward road. I struggled working at a studio that had its issues. I also needed to find a balance in my life where I could do photography in the way that I wanted.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Gail Reich Photography – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
My company is just me. I do everything myself from shooting to editing to delivering all products. I truly care about my client, and go out of my way to give them what they are looking for. I have the ability to be flexible in how I do things working for myself. I don’t do packages, but create what works best for my clients. I work with several albums companies and printers to make sure I can get whatever kind of products that my client wants. Most of my work is portraits and wedding photography. My photography is honest and often photojournalistic in nature. I try to capture each moment from several perspectives. I make sure to get all of the important moments, and the truthful in-between moments as well. I am great at making my clients comfortable in front of the camera and making sure to give the client what they are looking for. I am skilled at working well with color, seeing light and being consistent in my work.
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
I like how clean Chicago is and how many parks we have. I like how Chicago is easy to navigate and how there is always something to do. I think our skyline is beautiful and the energy outside during the summer is contagious. I like how we are in the middle of the country and it is easy to travel by plane to either coast. I think we have some amazing restaurants and wonderful architecture.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.gailreich.com/blog
- Phone: 201.919.2469
- Email: greichphoto@gmail.com
- Instagram: greichphoto
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/gailreichphotography
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/gail-reich-photography-chicago
Image Credit:
Gail Reich Photography
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