J Gonia Photography

10/13/2025

Haven't posted much from sessions for awhile - here are a handful of my favorites from a senior session with Matthew (Hortonville) last week!

08/25/2025

I have known these three girls since they have been playing U10/12 hockey! It was my pleasure to meet up with them and shoot their senior photos! Thank you!

10/12/2024

For the past few years, I’ve wondered how shooting my daughter’s senior photos would go - or if she even wanted me to do them vs one of my friend/competitors. It’s a bit different for me to direct and shoot someone I know very well than others I interact with mainly for the purpose of photography. I’m really glad she wanted me to shoot them, and she killed it. Can’t wait to finish the rest of these up next week. I’m also pretty thrilled that she got her mom’s good looks!

07/03/2024

Thank you to the athletes of the associations I have been fortunate to build relationships with over the years!

01/25/2023

12/21/2022

I am looking for 1-2 second shooters to help cover my 2023 slate of weddings with possible continued involvement pending mutual agreement thereafter.

Ideal candidates have:

- An overall strong understanding of photography in general, with experience shooting photos of individuals and mid-sized groups. Being able to talk, work with, and have fun with people you literally just met, however, is a MUST.

- Solid to advanced understanding of natural light digital photography,

- At least basic understanding of shooting with speed lights.

- Their own prosumer to professional grade equipment. While ideal, this is not a must as I have enough equipment to lend to the right person/people who have the skills but not necessarily the hardware just yet to work on projects that require said equipment.

A little bit about the gig:

95%+ of the time, this is a role supporting the principal shooter (me), if not an opportunity to learn and have fun while on the job. However, there are occasional times where second shooter will be flying solo and responsible for something that I can not personally shoot, hence the need to already have a moderate to advanced understanding of photography in general.

Depending on the wedding (they vary greatly), second shooter generally will be on-site 5-8 hours. Unless there is a specific reason, I do not require them to start or end the day when I do.

Most events are in or around the Fox Valley, but occasionally somewhat further away. Location would be disclosed prior to committing to a date.

Pay range is $25-$50 hourly and hinges on a handful of factors, the biggest being what the second shooter has to offer in terms of the images they produce.

Second shooters will provide me with a copy of all files they shoot, and are not further obligated in any official capacity in regard to the wedding once they are done for the day — I do all of the post work on any of their images that the couple would eventually see. Second shooters are absolutely welcome to finish their own images and use them in their portfolios, but may not associate them with the event in a specific nature.

Is this you or someone you know?

Feel free to tag people in comments or share this post or its information — but do not inquire directly here. Give me a shout with any questions or information/links to your portfolio at [email protected].

10/27/2022

Thank you Nichole & Jesse for having me out last Saturday to photograph your wedding! It was a pleasure to meet you both, as well as spend the day with you, your family, and friends. Here are a handful of preview images to check out while I work on your full gallery! More to come...

09/26/2022

Jackie & Morgan! Thanks for having J Gonia Photography out this past Saturday to capture your wedding! Here are a handful of preview images for you to check out while I work on your full gallery!

09/19/2022

Emma & Willie preview images while I work on your full gallery!

09/12/2022

Thanks Britt & Charlie for having me out on Saturday to photograph your wedding! Here are a handful of preview images for you to check out while I work on your full gallery!