In early 2007, Essence was awarded, Top Pick in The Knot Best of Weddings magazine. The Knot is the most trusted name in the industry for brides when researching vendors for their wedding. From The Knot press release, "The Knot conducted a massive survey of 25,000 recent brides and grooms-the first of its kind-to capture detailed feedback on every wedding business that couples hired for their wedding celebration. The newlyweds were asked to rate their vendors on multiple criteria, from creativity to professionalism, and to comment on their experiences. The resulting ratings-and detailed feedback-were aggregated by the editors of The Knot to create this one-of-a-kind publication highlighting the best wedding resources in each region according to local brides. The survey was administered by Harris Interactive. Essence is proud to be recognized by The Knot as one of the elite photography studios in the industry.
Also in early 2007, Essence moved its Schaumburg studio to a new building on Woodfield Road, 1/2 mile west of Woodfield Mall and next door to Lifetime Fitness. The new studio has more than double the space to better service Essence customers. The company joke is now, Look for the Lifetime Fitness and we'll be to the right of it, referring to both studios being right next to Lifetime Fitness locations.
For the second year in a row, Essence was rated by Dunn & Bradstreet and received the highest scores in the industry for fiscal strength and on-time payment history to its vendors. Along with The Knot award, Essence continues to be recognized as an industry leader for wedding photography and videography services in Chicagoland.
Essence introduces the industry's most complete, "All Inclusive", photography package which includes knowing your photographer before you book, wedding album, 12 hours of coverage, free digital negatives, free proof book, free online hosting, and a free canvas print.
Essence Photo & Video, Inc. completes its first year as a Dunn & Bradstreet rated company, receiving "excellent" scores for fiscal stability and payment history. Customers are now free to research the company's financial history from an independent third party to know our financial stability, including a bankrupt free history and excellent credit rating.
In September of 2006, Essence opened its second studio in Warrenville / Naperville, next to Lifetime Fitness on Diehl Road in the Cantera area.
Also in late 2006, Essence developed and implemented an industry first software application that manages most clerical aspects wedding photography and videography. The software system was internally developed to continually improve the Essence customer experience. "E-net" manages photographer and videographer schedules, photographer and videographer back up schedules, customer appointments, automated delivery of planning documents to customers, notification to staff of customer order deadlines, automated notification to Essence's lab and album manufacturer of customer order due dates, contract management, and automated delivery of customer information to photographers and videographers. With the implementation of E-net and its automated functionality, Essence staff spends less time managing back end operations, delivers products and services faster to its customers, and spends more time interacting with customers.
On January 2nd, G's First Class Photo & Video changes its name to Essence Photo & Video allowing customers to find the company in directories and online easier. Corporate ID 36-4527073 is the same and management is the same, just a new, more wedding appropriate name. As part of the new name, Essence adopts the slogan, "Capturing The Essence Of Your Wedding".
Later this year, Essence introduces coffee table books and "The Italian" imported albums. Also, Essence introduces the industry's largest online photo gallery with hundreds of photos for potential customers to view.
The photography and videography division becomes the primary focus of the owner, Michael, and spins off into its own company. It is incorporated as G's First Class Photo & Video, corporate ID number 36-4527073. At this time, Michael brings in Daniel Ross, Co-President, assist with the company's growth. This completes the company's transformation from an entertainment company to a photography and videography company.
Essence (G's First Class Photo & Video) introduces "Know Your Photographer", every customer views their photographer's work before they book. Knowing your photographer becomes a standard in the industry shortly after this year, Essence innovates and is ahead of the industry in offering this service. Also this year, we become WPPI certified.
Introduction of videography services.
The number of weddings performed by photography division surpasses the entertainment division.
Essence's predecessor company is founded by Michael Gajeweski. The company is Mike G's First Class Entertainment. Mike has already been in the wedding industry for years and now incorporates his company with photography as an extra service.
