Today we’d like to introduce you to Jakub Ginda.
Jakub, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I am originally from Poland, came to Chicago in 2005. I went to school to learn English and get some business education. Photography was never my hobby or even any interest. My wife was the one who loved pictures, it wasn’t long before we got our first DSLR camera. Before I knew it, I fell for photography and begin my journey to become full-time photographer. Eventually, we both jumped on it and started the wedding photography business. Unfortunately, in Sept. 2014, I had a very rare case of spinal cord injury that left me paralyzed from the chest down. I am now full time wheelchair user. I didn’t let my injury to break me and kept helping my wife with weddings. I wasn’t till about two years ago when we got a small studio space for meeting wedding clients when I realized we could use it for shooting headshots. That was the best decision for me, I could keep photographing and use my own studio instead shooting weddings from a wheelchair (it’s tough…). I still do it on occasion when my wife needs me. I am now working on building my professional headshot photography business with the help and support of my family and headshot photographers community in Chicago.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Has it been a smooth road? Absolutely not! It still isn’t… as a disabled person, you face many challenges every day of your life. Getting a regular job is a challenge itself, but starting your own business which is based on direct contact with your clients is another story. Overcoming your own fears of rejection and accepting limitations is one thing. Creating the environment and systems for your business to work and ensuring client satisfaction is another. I have been blessed with the support of my family and friends and I am looking forward to the future now.
GP LOOKS – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
GP LOOKS is a Schaumburg, IL-based, business headshots photography studio. We specialize in modern professional business headshots and executive portraits for Chicago business people. Working with the highly-trained and experienced headshot photographer in a relaxed studio setting can be a very enjoyable experience and we hope it will be. Your new business headshot will make a fantastic first impression, so important for future clients browsing through your website. Your online presence requires a polished, modern headshot to portray you as a competent, approachable professional you are. We will work with you to create an image that will match your current online presence or do a complete makeover to bring it to the next level.
Whether you want to make a great first impression on your website, LinkedIn, social media, your business card or wherever, let’s make sure you look your best!
What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
Despite being in a wheelchair, I am still able to do what I love and help other disabled people not give up on their dreams.
Contact Info:
- Address: 16 E Schaumburg Rd Suite 2 Schaumburg, IL 60194
- Website: https://www.gplooks.com
- Phone: 312-725-8009
- Email: jacob@gplooks.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jacob_gplooks
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gplookschicago
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/gp-looks-schaumburg
- Other: https://www.linkedin.com/company/gp-looks/
Getting in touch: VoyageChicago is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
