Today we’d like to introduce you to Gabriela Velazquez.
Hi Gabriela, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I never really had an official start to photography but if I were to choose a time when it began I’s say it happened when I was about the age of 11. I started getting into borrowing my parent’s phones to take selfies with the back camera (lol) and slowly as times changed and I grew older, I’d go to the stores with my parents and look at the phones to see which one had the best camera quality so yes I’d leave random test pictures on the phones at best buy. I went into 8th grade and I got my first phone just to capture moments when my family & I took small trips or really anywhere I would snap pictures of all sorts of things, I never really had a specific vision or theme I would just put together what I could find and capture a story. My favorite part about taking the photos was and is editing, I’m sure we’ve all used Picsart in our life, that was my outlet to start editing photos I’d take. Senior year of high school I took a digital media class and started to really learn how to play around with photoshop and the deeper more serious editing with photos & that was like magic to me. Fast forward I was freelancing with my cousin’s camera at the time until I bought my own & I discovered I could move on with telling stories for people in their sessions with my directing and my camera, I haven’t stopped ever since. I was the girl everyone would get annoyed at because she would want pictures of everything and with everything. Now, I’m the girl they look for to take their pictures! Don’t let anyone tell you to stop doing what you love.
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 this was not easy I had a few bumps, starting out really young like really not having resources like the internet at home, transportation to get to sessions or even people to take me seriously enough to book – reaching out to the world was definitely the hardest.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Photography to me is a world with endless possibilities there is so much out there for all the different kinds of taste, personally my photos tell stories in so much color or at least that is how I see it. I want my clients to feel like they’re the main characters and that this is their world. I am proud of being first-gen – really I am the 1st in my family to start a little business or side hustle aside from being in healthcare for work! My parents brought me here with nothing so I am making something & I know little 11 year old Mexican girl me is proud too! I truly believe what sets me apart from others is how fast I send pictures. I just love seeing the reactions of my clients.
Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
They can find me on my Instagram @ Photographedbygabby – my email & phone number are both there!
Pricing:
- $150/hr – Outdoor/ specific locations sessions
- $350 – Studio rental hour sessions (Any occasion)
- $100 – Mini 30-40min sessions
Contact Info:
Image Credits
Gabriela Velazquez
