Check Out Gabby Wright’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Gabby Wright

Hi Gabby, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I’ve always had an affinity for cameras. Ever since I was a young girl, I have always been so intrigued by the art of photography and the idea of literally freezing a moment in time. I’ve always felt this sense of nostalgia whenever I look at old photographs. I know that sounds funny coming from a 25 year old, but I have always felt deeply connected to the past via photos. When I was 16, I began my antiquing obsession. I would spend my weekends hunting for any kind of old camera I could get my hands on and loved sifting through vintage black & white photographs of complete strangers. These photos made me feel so many different emotions. I felt sad because most of these people in these old photographs probably had passed, I felt happy because I was getting to see a glimpse into what the world looked like in that time period, and most importantly, I was extremely inspired. I loved how I could look at these photographs and see excitement radiating from a bride’s face on her wedding day. I loved how these tattered and torn photographs still held the same emotion even after all of these years. I knew from that moment I wanted others to experience this same feeling with my photographs. I had no idea where to begin and didn’t know the first thing about photographing people, but I knew I was going to need some type of camera. I worked my first summer job and I saved up enough money for my first camera- the Canon Rebel T5i. I started taking it with me everywhere and began taking photos of everything. Nature, animals, and random areas in my house soon filled up my SD cards. I had no idea what I was doing, but man was it so fun! Once I got comfortable enough with my camera settings, I decided it was time to start taking photos of my family and friends. I absolutely loved it so much. It never crossed my mind I could actually make this beloved hobby into a career. A year or two later, I began shadowing and second shooting with a friend who was in the wedding photography business. It was a whole new world for me! I felt like I had no idea what I was doing and was so anxious I was going to screw something up, but second shooting weddings for several years was so beneficial to my learning process. It equipped me with the experience and confidence I needed to start my own business. After second shooting for a few years and photographing weddings on my own here and there, I decided it was time to make the leap and officially started my photography business back in 2021.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Every journey has its bumps in the road of course! For awhile, I was working part-time as a barista and part-time as a wedding photographer because I did not have enough clients to go full-time. It was hard for me to accept because I truly wanted nothing more than to pursue my dream of being a full-time photographer. I took a giant leap of faith in 2020 and quit my barista job, hoping to go somewhere with my photography. I think that decision really instilled confidence within me and only fueled my passion for photography even more. I wasn’t making a ton of money at that time, but I was building up my portfolio and had ample time to pour into my craft. I think now one of my biggest struggles as a photographer is handling my work/life balance. If I allowed myself, I could be working 24/7. I love my job so much and can get kind of lost in it. I have had to step back and realize that maybe I shouldn’t be holed up in my editing cave every night with zero socialization. I made this realization when a close friend asked me about my favorite 2023 memory and the very first thing that came to my mind was how many weddings I had photographed. This year I have been trying to implement more breaks and more intentional time with my friends and family. Being a business owner and being your only employee has its perks, but it also allows for a lot of lines to be crossed without ever really realizing it. As I am learning more with each year, boundaries are important!

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?
I am a wedding & portrait photographer specializing in bright, fun, organic imagery. I mainly photograph weddings, but I also frequently photograph engagements, seniors, families, and other fellow creatives. I incorporate a mix of editorial posing and candid movement within my sessions. I am always laughing and will probably try to make you laugh too! One of my favorite things to photograph are creative sessions. This basically starts out with a theme or “inspired by” idea and then I will personally style the wardrobe, choose the models and location, and then execute it. The creative shoot I am most proud of is my 50’s diner themed photoshoot. I would eventually love to photograph these kinds of styled shoots for magazines one day.

I have had 6+ years of experience in the wedding industry and truly just want to make every person who steps in front of my camera feel loved and cared for. I want clients to look at their photos and feel that I have captured their true personalities and little quirks. I want them to be able to look at their photos many years into the future and say, “Remember how much fun that moment was?”

Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
Get out of your comfort zone! Get out of your head! Trust me, I know how weird networking can feel sometimes. If you are more on the introverted side like me, it is really easy to just sit on your couch at home and forget the outside world exists, but making those connections are SO important. It is really hard to ask for help sometimes. Finding a mentor, someone I could learn from through experience, was vital to my business. One major thing that helped me was following people that I looked up to or was inspired by on social media. You can ask yourself, “What about their work inspires me? Why am I drawn to it? What are the tools they use to run their business so successfully?” You can also go one step further and reach out to them and see if they offer any kind of mentor session or program. You might even get a new friend out of it!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://verticallyfocusedphotography.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/verticallyfocusedphotography/