We first heard about Gabi after seeing a stunning photograph she took of our clients on their wedding day. It took just that one photo for us to contact her for a feature on our blog! After looking a bit into her portfolio, we noticed that it is not only wedding photography she is good at - she is incredible at shooting children, or "Little Ones", as she calls them on her website. Her background in fine art and graphic design (we like her already!) is clear to us, as all her photographs are truly creative! We're so excited to show you her work on the blog today - we hope you enjoy it as much as we did.
How did you get into photography? Was it a hobby that expanded into a business, or has it been a dream since you were young?
I knew I wanted to be a photographer from a young age. My brother gave me my first camera – a green Kodak when I was 9 years old. Back then I wanted to photograph sharks, I soon realized that photographing people is a lot safer.
Tell us about yourself in three words:
Jabula (what my father-dear calls me)
Optimistic
Perceptive
What were you doing prior to becoming a photographer?
I have been becoming a photographer for most of my life. I grew up with 3 siblings; we are all talented in our own way. My parents were very supportive and nurtured our natural talents. I would take photos of the cousins, dogs, siblings (anything really) then take the prints to a photographer for advice. Eventually, thinking about photography just became a part of me.
Before opening my photography business I studied photography and worked as a kiddies gym instructor. After studying I worked in a portrait studio in Cape Town. This inspired me to start my own business where I have more control to provide clients with a unique professional photographic experience… to me a photograph is more than just a picture, but the memories and emotions that it conjures up when being viewed, so the experience of the actual photo shoot is very important to me.
What did you study?
I have studied photography, graphic design and fine art.
Where are you based? And do you travel for your photography?
I live in Umhlanga and constantly travel for photos. I spent the last three weeks away from my beautiful home (and plants).
How would you describe your photography "aesthetic"?
I think my style is still evolving, but I definitely prefer a natural feeling; soft warm light, neutral tones and absolutely no fake smiles.
What inspires your photography?
Beautiful locations, fairytales, magic and emotions.
Besides photography, what are your other loves?
Clean linen, my plants, cooking, clouds, powerful thunderstorms and afternoon naps.
Do you do wedding photography? If so, besides weddings, what else do you shoot?
I specialize in wedding photography and portraiture. I love photographing anything that expresses emotion… for me photographing landscapes is only done on location hunts.
As a design and wedding blog, we have to ask: do you enjoy photographing weddings?
I love photographing weddings, it’s a day full of real emotion, and the speeches always get me! They are exciting, challenging and exhausting all rolled into one. Nothing like it.
If you had to choose a photographer to take your own wedding photos, who would it be? Who inspires you?
That’s easy, my dear friend and amazing photographer Kavish Rajpaul, he is unbelievably talented. A true artist.
What do you see in the future for yourself in the next few years?
I see traveling, more weddings and kiddies fashion photography.
What are your wedding/engagement/general shoot rates?
It depends on the location and nature of the session but generally a portrait session costs from R1500 to R3000; I love to work with clients to create unique experience for each shoot, so costs can vary. Wedding photography packages start at R11 000.
How can people get hold of you?
Phone – 0726131776
Email – info@gabriellesphotography.co.za
Facebook
Website
Please finish these sentences:
Right now I am happy about... Three more sleeps until I am off to the beautiful Cape to photograph a pretty wedding and visit my very best friend <3
Photography is...all I ever think about.
Rooibos tea...is best with lemon.
I am so grateful...that I got the creative genes rather than the sporty ones.
People would say that I am...quite small.
I get annoyed when... People are racist and cruel.
A photograph is...a kept memory.
In a year I will...be 28 years old and still taking photos.
When I wake up in the morning... I eat jungle oats with cinnamon and raisins.
I don't understand...why there are so many sports channels on tv.
I am terrified of...Snarling wolves!!! (and trolls)
Tomorrow I will be...Photographing a special little client in ballito if the weather plays nice.
If I had a million Rand I...Would travel, get some new photography gear and share.
Labels: Durban, Durban photographer, Gabrielle's Photography, photography, Photography Feature, Wedding Photography, weddings
