Today, we’d like to introduce you to Monnyca Gammel.
Hi Monnyca, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I am a 25 year-old professional freelance portrait and event photographer located in Houston and willing to travel anywhere. I will be graduating this summer from the University of Houston-Downtown with a B.A. in Communication Studies, Media and Public Communication, and a minor in Digital Media.
My photography journey started years back and I didn’t realize it till many years later. During my childhood, I danced for 12 years and throughout my dance career, for some time I danced competitively so I would need to have photoshoots and headshots taken. Once I was about to hit my 13th year of dance, high school started which is where my dance career came to an end and my photography journey began.
In 2015, my photography journey began as I took pictures of my family members and different nature pictures on my phone. When I was about to graduate high school, I wanted to get my senior portraits taken. When I did, I asked my photographer about her line of work. I started to realize how everyone has their own style and way of working, which made me love photography even more.
This turned into pursuing my photography business and buying my first camera, Canon Rebel T6, in 2017. As we have entered 2024, I have had years of experience capturing so many special memories as I’ve grown into a professional photographer.
From 2015 to 2023, my line of work in photography has changed drastically. My work goes towards a certain style that not only aesthetically tells a story but comes out looking mystical, dreamy, colorful, and bold and sets a special tone for my client’s special day. When I create the images for my clients, I shape each and every image I capture into their own authentic moment.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Throughout my journey as a professional photographer, there have been many high points that have gotten me to where I am today, but also multiple low points. An obstacle I needed to overcome was being diagnosed when I was 15 years old with Dysautonomia, which is under the umbrella of POTS.
Dysautonomia has no cure and is a nervous system disorder that disrupts autonomic body processes.
The symptoms are wildly unpredictable and can flare up at any moment. In high school, I was in and out of the doctor’s office as I was continuously tested by multiple doctors. Until the day came when I had to do a tilt table test that identified unexplained episodes. I ended up having convulsions during the test. Due to the results, I was diagnosed the same day with Dysautonomia. It’s one of the hardest things I have had to overcome and manage.
While having Dysautonomia, I struggled to mentally and physically keep going with my life. I questioned for so long how or why this could happen to me.
Later on in my life, my questions were answered. When I graduated from high school, I started my photography company, and from there on, life got much brighter. I saw my purpose in life and what I wanted to do. My company pushed me to keep going and pursue my passion. I believe we are all given something in our lives that’s least expected, but what we are given, we have the capacity to handle.
Every one of us goes through the motions in life and experiences different situations, and this was mine. I needed to overcome and find a way to live with my disorder. This way of thinking truly helped me to get past the fact that I would have to live with this disorder for the rest of my life, but it’s okay because I can handle it.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
As a freelance portrait and event photographer in Houston, TX, and anywhere else my clients take me for their special day, I shoot mainly anything your heart desires.
In my line of work, I shoot newborns, children, couples, families, maternity, nurseries, birthdays, seniors, and so much more. Furthermore, I photograph small to large events, such as Quincearena’s, Sweet 16’s, elopements, small weddings, birthday parties, gender reveals, family reunions, and so much more.
Besides the regular work I do, I have separate pages consisting of a more intensely, bold aesthetic for my Boudoir Portraits and Cover Art Portraits for Artists. 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 with me and during there big day.
Flash Moments Photography provides its own special way that sets me apart from other photographers/creatives. When a client sends me an inquiry, I always make sure to ask for any inspirational ideas to match their vision. Once it hits session day, I set a tone throughout the session to make sure my clients are comfortable, feeling confident, and having a fun time.
Once I start the editing process, I normally send sneak peeks to make sure I fit the style they are going for before finishing the rest of the gallery. The moments I capture and create are not only my own art, but these are my client’s personal, special moments that I am capturing, so I always make sure what I provide to my clients, from start to finish, is precise and memorable.
Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
As someone who did not grow up to be a huge risk taker, I’ve grown to have a very different view of taking risks. Within our lives, we take risks in many different forms every day. There are multiple pros and cons when it comes to taking a risk. It’s understandable that taking a risk is scary.
You may be worried that what you’re taking a risk for may not pan out, you may lose money if it fails, or you invest so much time that it ends up not working out. Having a change of heart, you may ask, what about the positive outcomes?
Think about the amazing things that could come your way when taking a risk. When you take a risk, you could potentially have a company that becomes very successful, you may be happier than ever after taking a risk, you may be taking a risk in what you love, and the outcome is better than you had expected.
There are endless opportunities when taking a risk. If you keep your head high, never give up, and think with a positive mindset, the opportunities are endless.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://flashmomentsphotography.mypixieset.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/flashmomentsphotography/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/flashmomentsphotography.mymoments
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@flashmomentsphotography
