Today we’d like to introduce you to Monnyca Gammel.
Hi Monnyca, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.
My journey as a photographer started quite long ago, but to be exact, I started photography 6 years ago. Growing up, I danced for 12 years. Starting dance at 2 years old led me to becoming a competitive dancer when I turned 4 years old. I started to compete in pageants along the way and was always in front of the camera. The love I had for the stage as I would dance my little heart out was indescribable. Throughout my dance career, we needed to have photoshoots and headshots taken, so I always was in front of the camera. As time went on, I ended up leaving dance when I started high school, which is where my love for photography started to swoop in. I would always try to capture photos of nature, art, places I’d travel to, and so much more. My passion for dance was well-missed, so I didn’t fully see my love for photography till Senior year. I tried to get into the newspaper course that was offered at my high school but was selected for a different course. Throughout my senior year, I kept thinking, “That could never be me’, ‘I can’t be a photographer,’ ‘They aren’t good enough.” Throughout the year, I struggled to have confidence in myself to pursue photography because I felt I was meant for something else, but my boyfriend, Andrew of almost 10 years, showed me to have courage in what I love and to go for it. He showed me how capable I am to become who I want to be and helped me to be where I am today.
After Graduating high school in 2018, my family threw me a graduation party, and with the gifted money from my family, I invested in myself and my new little company by buying my first camera, Canon EOS Rebel T6. About 6 years later, I am here today, happy, capturing so many memories for my clients. Seeing the looks on their faces when I show them the RAW images fills me with so much excitement. Sending my clients their final results fills my heart with so much happiness and love because these moments do not last forever. Our lives are so precious, so when those moments are captured, they’re held in time for you to look back on forever. Being here today is not only a blessing but an eye-opener for me because I never thought I was capable of what I have accomplished and created. I am so blessed to have had the support and love from my boyfriend who has never failed me, never failed to show that I’m meant for this, and the effort I give is 10000% worth it. In these times, I have realized that dance was my release in life, but photography is my passion. We are meant for something in life, and we all have a purpose, but we need to find who we are and what makes us truly happy.
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?
Throughout the years, as with any other company, there have been many ups and downs. As I originally started my business in 2018, going into college, it was very nerve-wracking trying to start my own business while going to school. I started school at San Jacinto College, going for a degree in nursing but realized I was not suited for that sort of career, and I wanted a career where I could pursue my creative side. I then transferred to the University of Houston-ClearLake and declared a Communications major. However, I ended up transferring due to the kinds of courses that were offered, which is where I will be graduating in 2024 at the University of Houston-Downtown. Throughout this time, I tried as hard as I could to keep pushing to have a photography business but was continuously distracted and depressed due to personal medical conditions and family issues. I was diagnosed when I was 15 years old that I have a rare disorder called Dysautonomia, which is incurable. My depression created a deep hole in my mind and crossed me every time I tried to have a positive mindset which would end up drowning my presence as a photographer and business owner.
Over the past 2 years, I have tried to create a stronger and positive mindset, and still to this day, it’s hard to keep going at times, especially through certain mental triggers. Although I have gone through these struggles, I realized I truly wanted to pursue photography as my career, and I needed to change my life in some sort of way to forward my career and my entire life. Time does not wait for no one, so I started to really see my so-called “hobby” as my true career and something I could make a life out of. I started to train my mind to look forward and to not let the past hold me back. Looking back only brings you down and digs a deeper hole. As I started to fill that void inside, I continuously reminded and encouraged myself what I’m capable of, tried different ways of pushing through my triggers and seeing the light to what life could be and a life I could make for myself. Standing here, happily living, my past struggles have turned into motivation and confidence that it’s okay to keep going, to see that I am my own person and I’m in control of my own life.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
In the line of my work, I am a portrait and event photographer. I shoot mostly anything such as newborns, little ones, couples, maternity, seniors, families, small to large parties, Quincearena’s, Sweet 16, Weddings, and so much more. This year, besides my regular work, I will be diving closely into Boudoir Portraits and Cover Art for Artists as it is something I want to officially specialize in. I love to try new ways to shoot, to travel, create new kinds of work for my clients, and create a relationship between my clients to have the best experience possible. I would say I am quite known for my sort of editing aesthetic and how I try to direct my sessions. When I go into a session, I try to have the highest expectations for myself so my clients have a successful, fun, and memorable time and not just look at it as a photoshoot. Going into my sessions, I love to see what my clients have in mind besides the poses I have planned because it is their portraits and their memories I’m capturing. I want to give my clients the benefit of being able to look back and see that these photos were their true selves and not just a regular pose I am giving you. Throughout my editing process, I try my best to bring all the colors and feelings from the photos to life and show a storyline through your photos.
Overall, throughout my photography career so far, I am most proud of how far I have come, what I have created, and the memories I have captured. When I capture the moments of my clients, I do not just see these moments as photos but more of a once-in-a-lifetime memory. Our lives keep going, and day by day, we do not know what will happen, so the fact there is the unknown makes these memories that much more special and worth capturing.
What sort of changes are you expecting over the next 5-10 years?
Within the next 5-10 years, I see my business and my work to most definitely change and grow for the better. I want to create a deeper positive mindset so that I can pursue my work to the best of my abilities and get past my childhood trauma. On top of that, I intend to create an image for my company as a go-to photography company for anyone while knowing that they’re choosing and trusting a photographer that will take your moments to heart throughout your session and my editing process. I want my business to grow not only through work but by providing a continuous outlook for my clients and everyone who supports me, knowing that their moments are worth capturing.
On top of the image I want to make for my business, I want to create a fun, comfortable, chic, inspirational, and trendy clothing line. My line will not only be for photographers and my clients but different genres towards anyone who is looking for motivation, for a push to be themselves, a way to know you’re not alone, and a push to achieve success in life. I have so much in store for the future and am excited to share it with everyone!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://flashmomentsphotography.mypixieset.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/flashmomentsphotography/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/flashmomentsphotography.mymoments
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/moments_flash
Image Credits
Jessica Nguyen
