Today we’d like to introduce you to Gina Ciardi
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I always knew I wanted to be a storyteller, but when I was young I didn’t have a clear path planned out. As a child I was an avid reader, so naturally I thought I’d become an author until my dad let me try out his cameras. He was the documentarian of our family filming birthdays, Christmases, vacations, the day we brought home my first puppy, our house when we moved to Maryland, and day to day life. He taught me some basics of composition, how DSLRs worked, and how to shoot video on a camcorder. Very quickly, I discovered how compelling the visual image is and took up photography.
When I was in middle school my dad gifted me a point-and-shoot camera and with it I filmed a music video for a school project when I was in the seventh grade. The class was given the requirements of interpreting the lyrics of a song, writing a storyboard, filming different shots that could tell a story, and editing it together. After I submitted my final video, the teacher came to me after class to tell me how impressed he was with my video. I had always been a hardworking student earning high grades, but I hadn’t found something I excelled at until then. That project was the turning point when I set my sights on telling stories and creating art through visual media. I tailored my high school electives and college major to the study and practice of filmmaking.
From there I began my career at marketing and advertising firms. At that time, starting a business was not part of of my plan until 2016 when a few of my colleagues asked if I could capture their weddings, family photos, and events. I made a website and gave it a name, CRD Creative, and set up an LLC thinking it would be something fun to do on the side. Less than a year later I moved on to running my business full-time. Despite becoming an business owner, I was still looking to find my niche. My values and goals were clear — I knew I wanted to make an impact, I knew I liked meeting and collaborating with interesting and passionate people, and I knew I wanted to use my skills to help uplift others but I was unsure of how that would manifest. For the first few years, I dabbled in almost every media sector from wedding highlight reels, to educational courses, to social media content for fitness brands, to portrait photography. Despite feeling uncertain, I had developed both a wide network of connections and a comprehensive skill set as a one-woman production team.
I began to shape that purpose working in public media creating on-air sponsorship messages and short documentary films. After receiving a Capital Emmy Award for my documentary work in 2024, I realized I had achieved what I was seeking. Through documentaries I fulfill my mission of amplifing those untold, inspiring, and thought-provoking stories.
Alright, 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?
The road to where I am now not has not been smooth or linear! Many times I questioned if I was on the right path and my worth in this industry. It’s easy to compare yourself to the cinematic greats and filmmakers who have already found success and forget that everyone has to start somewhere and that to be human is to make mistakes. Early on in my journey with the business I had to quickly learn the importance of a contract and its terms (the hard way), how to network and sell my skills, and how to be an accountant. Being in my twenties without a stable income that a career with a salary would provide had its own challenges as well. I sacrificed a lot of my free time and put my travel goals on hold just so I could make sure the bills were paid. I often times took on too much work at once due to the fear of having a slow month and teetered on the edge of burnout at my lowest. Despite these struggles, I have learned valuable life lessons about advocating for myself, setting healthy boundaries between work and personal life, and remaining positive even in the face of uncertainty through reminding myself that I can only focus on and put energy into the things I have control over.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am a Business Owner, Creative Director, Documentary Filmmaker, Producer, Editor, Videographer, Photographer, Motion Graphics Artist, and Graphic Designer, though my specialty is in video production and editing. As a full-service production company I work with clients through the pre-production, production and post-production phases. Pre-production starts with assessing their marketing and aesthetic goals; scheduling interviews; creating shot lists and storyboards; and ensuring legal paperwork is in order. Next is the audio/visual production which can involve setting up multiple cameras and microphones on-site for interviews; capturing b-roll; taking still photographs; and setting up studio lighting. Finally, there’s editing; mixing and mastering audio; creating graphics and motion graphics; color correction; and all those finishing touches as part of post-production.
What sets me apart is that I always try to get to know who I’m working with on a personal level. I want to know how they got into their line of work, what they are passionate about, and what their hopes and goals are. This is especially important as soon as the camera rolls and the participant is staring down the lens, surrounded by bright lights. It can be uncomfortable to be on-camera so it’s my mission to make every shoot positive and comfortable. Plus, when you are speaking to someone as if you are having a conversation with a friend it allows their personality and message to shine.
I’m most proud of my documentary work, particularly my piece Be Inspired: Magnet Fishing that in 2024 won a Capital Emmy Award in the Chesapeake Heritage – Short Form category. It’s an incredible honor to be nominated, let alone win an Emmy, and I’m so grateful to all of those featured for trusting me to capture this story.
My work is driven by the people featured; I believe this piece and my most recent documentary Be Inspired: Collaboration Laboratory resonated because the participants were willing to be vulnerable in talking about their struggles and triumphs, allowing the viewer to connect more deeply with them.
How do you think about happiness?
In my career I find happiness through connections, helping others, and discovering inspiration where I least expect it. I love meeting people who are different than myself and who have unique perspectives. I enjoy spontaneity and opening myself up to new experiences, even if stepping outside of my comfort zone feels a little intimidating. Through embracing this discomfort and pushing myself to grow I’ve made lifelong friends and learned so much more about Baltimore from its history to the coolest events to go to.
In my personal life, I am most happy walking my dogs Noodles and Nori with my boyfriend, going to see films in theaters, and spending quality time with my friends — whether that is girls night out for trivia or bingo, chatting on the phone with my long distance best friend, or going on a camping trip. It’s the simple things in life that bring me the most joy.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://crdcreative.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crd.creative/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CRDCreative/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gina-ciardi
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdDWLBBf1cWGLD9tCVzDysg
Image Credits
Brendan Felch, Gina Ciardi
