Meet Gina Whalen

Today we’d like to introduce you to Gina Whalen.

Every artist has a unique story. Can you briefly walk us through yours?
I started my career as a Special Education Teacher. I have always loved teaching and helping others. After my 8th year, my husband and I had a baby. While still teaching, I started to take photos for friends. I quickly fell in love with capturing special moments and it developed into a career. I have been a photographer since 2013. I absolutely love being behind the camera and showing connections through my work.

I recently moved to the Charlotte, NC area, but love coming home to see all of my amazing clients who helped my business grow so much!

Please tell us about your art.
I specialize in maternity, newborn, family and senior photography. I love that I can capture a family from little baby toes all the way to their last year in high school. My work is organic and pure. My whole goal is to capture special, intimate moments in every family. My art is done through play, evoking emotions and the trie connections between family members. As a mother of 2 young boys, I know that the days go fast and I want to capture all of those special moments. I love to do that for others as well.

We often hear from artists that being an artist can be lonely. Any advice for those looking to connect with other artists?
This industry can be very lonely! When I first started, I didn’t know how to connect with other photographers in my area. You think at first that you can’t be friends with your “competition”. I quickly learned that it is community over competition. I have made great friends in Chicago that I still keep in touch with and support, even though I have moved over 700 miles away. I have made a few new photographer friends here in South Carolina as well. But my advice is to don’t think of it as you needing to compete with local photographers, go out and support each other. Find a few people within your community and help be friends!

How or where can people see your work? How can people support your work?
To get my current work: https://www.ginawhalenphotography.com/
facebook.com/ginawhalenphotography
https://www.instagram.com/ginawhalenphotography/

Contact Info:

• Address: Gina Whalen Photography, LLC
  Charlotte, NC
  Downers Grove, Il (1 time a year)
• Website: https://www.ginawhalenphotography.com/
• Email: ginawhalenphotography@gmail.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ginawhalenphotography/
• Facebook: facebook.com/ginawhalenphotography

Image Credit:
https://www.allyandbphotography.com/ personal photo

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