You have incredible gifts to offer.
You have blessings to be grateful for.
You have powers to reveal.
Discover what they are through your photographic experience with your professional photographer in Chicago, Aaron Gang.
Aaron Gang Photography is an open, welcoming, and safe space. We are inclusive and welcoming to all colors, ethnicities, and gender identities.
I can’t imagine receiving a better or more
personalized service anywhere else.
If you want a photographer that is kind and professional, and highly flexible to work around your needs I can’t recommend Aaron enough.”
– Teddrick S.
SEE YOURSELF IN THE BEST LIGHT
I’m a people person. I’m the kid who got you kicked out of class for goofing off with me. I’m still that kid. My greatest achievement is my daughter, Zoe. I love to explore new music. I’m also a leader with the ManKind Project, a non-profit personal development organization for men. I have a bachelor’s degree in theatre and English from Truman State and a master’s degree in English from the University of Illinois-Chicago.
After I got my Master’s in English, I was doing improv at a theatre in Chicago. Hanging out after shows, I’d hear actors complain about the personalities of their photographers. They described them as rude and egotistical. I always loved photography and did it nonstop from my first year of high school through graduate school. Why don’t I open a studio, I thought? At least I won’t be an a*%hole! Aaron Gang Photography was born on that simple premise in 1998.
I started with actors, which led to models, professionals, and corporations. In 2016, I expanded to serve families and pets. I wanted to make art for the wall to help families and pet parents celebrate their gifts.
I love stand-up paddle boarding and learned to snowboard at age 50. I also love all lawn games, especially frisbee and bocce ball. I’m an unabashed TV watcher and a sci-fi novel geek.
I love to get to know people and have fun with them. That always leads to great photography
“We find ourselves booking Aaron time and time again … his photography work is consistent across each shoot we have.…set up/tear down is always so smooth…he’s very responsive and always accommodates us on any quick needs. Final delivery of photos is always fast and truly showcases his quality work. We value working with Aaron and his professionalism and look forward to working with him on future projects!” – Stefanie C.,
“Working with Aaron on this portrait of our beloved Buddy was delightful. Having this image, where Buddy’s golden personality shines through, is a gift our family will treasure forever. Aaron was patient, creative, and the whole process was fun! Aaron has a keen eye and a warm heart and I can’t recommend him more highly.” – Josh W.
“The father in our family had recently been diagnosed with terminal cancer. We knew we only had a matter of months to create lasting memories. Aaron interviewed each member of the family separately, and then he brought us together for a joyful photo session that brought out the deep love in our family. He created a treasured art piece in our home. It brought my husband comfort during his last
“Really well done! Beautiful professional headshots. Neat studio, comfortable dressing room, and fantastic music during the shoot. Easy parking out front as well. I had a special request for a very quick turnaround on the headshots that Aaron was able to accommodate – I highly recommend!” – Michelle G.
Renowned casting director and showcase leader. Helps actors get seen.
Matt Miller is a Chicago based director specializing in performance driven narratives and comedy.
Collaborating with the sketch group The Katydids, he co-created and directed the hit web series Teachers which was distributed by The Onion and then picked up as a TV series by TV Land in 2015. The show ran for three seasons and Matt served as executive producer on the sitcom.
A teacher by training, Matt created and led an exclusive characters and impressions workshop in Chicago for many years with the aim of helping Chicago improvisers better prepare for SNL auditions. Notable graduates include Vanessa Bayer, Katie Rich, Alex Moffat, Paul Brittain, and Cecily Strong. He continues to teach on-camera workshops at schools and colleges across the country.
As a commercial director, his recent credits include work for The Hartford, America’s Best Eyeglasses, Crest, Hyundai, Eggo, and Lowe’s. In 2023, his spot for Crumbl Cookies featuring legendary announcer Michael Buffer won a National Gold Addy Award.
An accomplished theatre director as well, Matt’s credits include work with Steppenwolf, Second City Theatricals, Lifeline Theatre, Mary Arrchie Theatre, Playmakers Lab, and The Irish Theatre of Chicago where his 2014 production of The Seafarer won the Joseph Jefferson Award for Best Ensemble and also garnered him a Best Director nomination.
Matt began his career as a casting director in Chicago; his notable film and TV casting credits include The Weatherman, The Amityville Horror, The Ice Harvest, Stranger Than Fiction, The Wise Kids, The Wire, and Public Enemies.
Stalk him appropriately at mattmillerdirect.com.
Director of Gray Talent Agency – one of top talent agencies in Chicago
Dawn Gray is president of Gray Talent Group, founded in 2008, with offices in Chicago, Los Angeles and New York. The mission of Gray Talent Group is to develop actors and take them to the next level of their career. Consequently, Gray actors can be seen nightly on networks and streaming services. There are currently Gray Talent Actors on Broadway, and on the silver screen.
Before becoming an agent, Gray produced the film Stray Dogs. Her other entrepreneurial venture was MOMents, a resource for working mothers. As part of MOMents, Gray produced a radio segment for WMAQ radio, wrote a column for the Chicago Tribune, created a monthly newsletter, ran support groups and gave talks on balancing work and family.
A graduate of Northwestern University, her first job out of college was working in the media as a writer/producer. Later she transitioned into public relations and held management positions at major agencies. Dawn is delighted to pursue her passion of helping actors find success in this wonderful, wacky business.
Rachael Patterson, Director of Acting Studio Chicago since 1995, taught audition technique for film and commercials for thirty-one years. Formerly a partner in Brody/Patterson Casting, she cast numerous films, television pilots, and commercials.
Rachael attended the University of Notre Dame, where she majored in Theatre and Economics. She received her professional actor training at The American Conservatory Theatre in San Francisco. Rachael worked professionally in theatre in the San Francisco Bay Area and at the Denver Center Theatre Company.
At Acting Studio Chicago, Rachael specializes in teaching on-camera technique for theatrically trained actors. Using the 12 Guideposts delineated by Michael Shurtleff, Rachael emphasizes personalization, relationship, and action in her work. She works to give her students the script analysis skills for film, television, and commercials so that they learn how to work truthfully and with specificity.
In addition to her work at ASC, Rachael was an Adjunct Professor at The Theatre School at DePaul University, where she taught both Acting for the Camera and Audition/Professional Prep to graduating BFA Acting candidates for eleven years. She also co-taught the On Camera Audition Class in the BFA program at the Univ. of Illinois at Chicago for four years. Workshops for additional schools include the Univ. of Illinois, Northern Illinois Univ., Illinois State, Purdue, and others.
