Today we’d like to introduce you to Gabrielle Enriquez.
Gabrielle, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I’m a 24 years old photographer based in South Florida. I was born and raised in Miami by a single mother who immigrated from the Dominican Republic at 14 years old. Growing up was not easy, and I watched my mother struggle to provide everything she could for me and for my brother. As a kid, I spent a lot of time playing dress up and watching movies that fueled my imagination to grow. I think this is what led me to my theatre background, which I dedicated most of my life to until I was 22. I went to New World School of the Arts for Theatre and thought I was going to be an actress who would move to New York and be on Broadway. But I realized those were someone else’s dreams. Upon graduating and trying my hand at the professional scene, I realized it was an insanely cruel industry when you are not thin, pretty, and white. Then, the pandemic hit, and I was left without a plan. I felt unreal.
I got my first camera when I was 21, as a gift from my then boyfriend. I had always loved photography since high school and even had the best time taking a course which recorded one of the best summers of my life–but it was one of the only creative pursuits I had kept as a hobby for fear of being met with the same harsh criticism I had dealt with in the theatre world.
But a few months into the pandemic, I realized I could take back my power as a creative and as a woman and as a Latina by doing what I love without the cold gaze of those who run the spaces I was used to. I could create my own space. And I did! I started my own photography business in 2020 and haven’t looked back since! I have felt such a sense of empowerment and endless possibility by experiencing the freedom to create my own work. Every new portrait is a chance to grow my creativity, to make other people feel beautiful, to record a special moment in someone’s life. I get to make my visions come to life, and in doing so, create a sense of confidence within me I never got from telling someone else’s story.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I think the depression I went through growing up, throughout the pandemic, and still currently struggle with is definitely one of the biggest challenges I face as a solo entrepreneur/small business. Believing in myself and in my work is difficult. I find that a lot of the times, I don’t know what I’m doing–but there’s a beauty and community that comes with that when you reach out for support and guidance. I think that everyone and every source I’ve gone to for help has taught me amazing things I never thought I would learn and has opened my eyes to the potential of both connection and personal growth.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
So I’m a portrait photographer who specializes in creative concepts, couples, and lifestyle. I feel like my creative portraits represent what I do best: conceptualizing themes, outfits, colors, set and mood when it comes to each specific client. That’s why I take the time to get to know everyone and their style to figure out how to best draw that out into a fully executed concept. I love to experiment and have fun and to really make whoever it is I’m photographing really comfortable in their skin and for them to realize that the way they see themselves can have no limits. I think struggling with my own body image and not being a traditionally “thin” person, I understand when a person shrinks into themselves and the hesitancy to pose in front of a camera. So it’s the greatest reward when that person can see their genuine selves after our shoot.
We’d love to hear about how you think about risk taking?
Quitting my job and dedicating my time to this endeavor is a huge risk on its own. I think each new project and client is a risk! Since every person I work with is so different, so is my approach. They might not like my ideas, and they might not love their pictures. And that’s okay! Being fairly new to this business is completely unsure and risky–there’s a lot of factors that are unknown. Sometimes I think I made a huge mistake, but I know that it will pay off because the more you give, the more you get. I’m happy to be pushing through to the unknown and know that my dreams are right around the corner.
Pricing:
- Portraits- $150
Contact Info:
- Email: gabsphotolab@gmail.com
- Website: gabsphotographylab.com
- Instagram: @gabsphotolab
- Facebook: @gabsphotolab
Image Credits
Gabrielle Enriquez, @gabsphotolab (myself)
