Gina Cristine Photography Focuses on Natural Light to Capture Natural Moments

Little did Manhattan resident Gina Sandrzyk know that her childhood passion for photography would turn into her profession.

"My dad had a really nice film camera, so he taught me," Sandrzyk said.

She's also taken a variety of photography classes over the years at St. Xavier's University and Governor's State Univeristy. But it wasn't until the birth of her daughter and capturing those early moments for posterity that friends (and friends of friends) began to take note of her work.

"It wasn't intended to be a business," Sandrzyk said.

But a business----it's become, complete with a new bricks and mortar studio on the second floor of the overlooking White Street and (and filled with natural light).

"I was doing a lot of travelling," said Sandrzyk, whose clients come from as far away as Kankakee, Chicago's North Side and Geneva.

"The studio brings different people to me and offers an alternative if the clients don't want to use their homes," she added.

Sandrzyk said she loves the downtown Frankfort area and uses the historic buildings and brick walls for backdrops, along with the Old Plank Trail and the Prairie Park pond.

"I had a city client come yesterday who didn't think she liked the suburbs, but she said, 'I could live here!' " Sandrzyk said.

And while her business might be located in Frankfort, it's downtown Chicago moms who have really helped her business grow.

"I have a lot of clients who blog or are on parenting and mom forums. All of them have just been saying really nice things about me," Sandrzyk said.

In fact, she's never formally advertised for her business. Facebook is actually her biggest marketing tool.

"I'll post pictures or things about my kids. Clients like that mom-to-mom connections, and it's a good way to stay in touch with people when you only see them once a year," she said.

Sandrzyk is typically booked three to four weeks in advance. She is a natural light photographer which means that she uses whatever light is available, indoors or out.

"I just love that creamier, dreamier natural light look," she said.

Plus, using only natural light means that she doesn't have to stage her clients for long periods of time in front of a formal backdrop under hot lamps. Children and families have more freedom to interact with her, each other and their surroundings while she captures the moment. This she calls couture photography.

Sandrzyk defines couture photography on her website as "your style, your emotion, your love, your connection." Couture photography is timeless. With couture photography there is no real posing, she adds. 

FRANKFORT BUSINESS BUZZ

• offers themed catering menus including Hawaiian luaus, Caribbean and Greek cuisine and pig roasts. Call Pete Ambrosino, special events coordinator, for more details at 708-243-7549.
• Amy Peterson Chocolates is now open at 7713 W. St. Francis Road. In addition to its made from scratch, dipped by hand chocolates, the shop offers custom-made party favors.
• White Street Interiors' new design studio is now open at 37 Old Frankfort Way. Check out its blog filled with theme articles, such as Makeover Monday, Window Wednesday and the Friday Fabric Feature.