Today we’d like to introduce you to Ebba Gurney.
Hi Ebba, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I picked up photography at a young age; my dad loved his camera and gifted me with point and shoots in elementary school. When he passed away in 2013, I asked to keep his camera, which became my first DSLR. It was simply a favorite hobby of my mine until I received marketing and portrait requests in high school. Before I knew it, I was photographing 50 high school seniors each summer, with a whole business of my own by the time I left high school.
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?
I’ve struggled a bit with imposter syndrome. Because I started young, I never felt like I belonged beside professional adult photographers. It was hard for me to charge an appropriate amount and sell my skills for what they were worth.
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?
When I left for art school, I wasn’t sure if I wanted to study photography, and I quickly realized that since I had gotten myself so far along in the medium, I didn’t feel a strong pull towards that area of formal art education. I’m studying at the University of Michigan STAMPS School of Art & Design, where I’m focusing a lot more on publication design, writing, and graphic design. I recently worked on a children’s book called Makiah’s Show and Tell, written by Makiah Shipp. It’s published now and available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble. I’m now looking into publishing my own book that incorporates design, illustration, and prose centered around eating disorder recovery.
What would you say has been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
I’ve learned a lot about what drives me as an artist, and that’s connecting with people on a level that goes beyond the basics. I adore meeting the seniors I photograph and striving to bring their personal beauty into the portraits we create together. It goes so much deeper than makeup, hair, and outfits. I remember being a senior in high school, and that version of myself is entirely separate from the me I am today. I love that I’m experiencing and capturing the last year of a very meaningful era for these seniors, and I love watching their confidence build during out time together. It’s always so apparent that it means just as much to them as it does to me.
Contact Info:
- Website: ebbagurneyphotography.com
- Instagram: ebbagurneyphotography
