Gabriel Gonzalez
Photographer / Videographer / Art Director / Designer
Pomona, New York
Q What do you do?
“I create strategic content; specializing in health & wellness.”
Q What steps did you take to get to where you are now?
After years of working within advertising agencies and in-house teams, I left my "lucrative" Creative Director and Design positions to focus on a craft I’ve always loved. Photography and Video making.
I studied advertising at the School of Visual Arts in NYC, and worked my way up from Designer, to Art Director, to Creative Director, but have always been more passionate about being on set and creating content. The moments it would be time to shoot always had a stronger hold on me than the morning debriefs, and then suddenly I decided to plant myself behind the camera. I aspire to inspire people to feel as passionate as I am about story building. To capture attention not just for a product, but for a sentiment brands can inspire us to run after.
Q How do you stand out in your field?
Since I’ve spent a decade problem solving with national brands, aspiring social influencers, and small start ups, I’ve developed unique perspectives each type of business can bring.
Because I threw myself into an ad agency at 20 and dealt with every department, I always asked questions and soaked up the know-how of strategy teams, and then created insights. I worked directly with marketing directors or stakeholders, and then executed our goals that were sure to meet our benchmarks. By collaborating with every level and field of creative personnel, and even teaching at SVA I’ve crafted multiple mediums of creative. By working closely with producers I’ve learned to create smooth running productions.
Because of all this, I’ve been molded into a creative swiss army knife. Learning and getting excited about each phase of the creative process, and I bring all of that experience to every project and partnership I touch.
Q What are you working on right now?
Right now I’m working on a Latino Golf Brand, designing and creating the content for its launch. In addition, I’m also creating the curriculum for a new class I’ve been asked to teach in the Spring of 2024, as well as scheduling personal social content to showcase my capabilities to seek out new partnerships.
Q What’s your style?
My style (and north star really) is capturing tiny moments that become elevated or heroic, while remaining authentic.
The perspectives I bring are to be as natural as possible utilizing earth tones, and subliminally promoting healthy natural living while also capturing energy in some way.
The overview of my site can showcase this.
Q Out of all your slashies, which one do you wish you could do more often?
I would love to learn more about performance and analytics tracking my work once it has been delivered. This is crucial for any business. Also I’d love to focus more on SEO’s.
Q What is frustrating you right now?
I’m struggling with attracting new clients. Tied to that is posting to social channels regularly. Because I’m struggling with time to post to personal socials I feel like that’s a big reason I’m having a hard time bringing in new business.
Q If you could hire someone for $20/hour, what would you have them do to make your day easier?
Scheduling that social! Honestly, scheduling my day out and reminding me of my tasks too. I juggle so much, there’s never enough time.
Q What do you wish you could have told yourself, when, and why?
I would go back to 2012 and tell this junior kid in college, wet off the heels of winning a film festival and say “THIS IS WHAT YOU WANT TO REALLY DO, PURSUE IT. LOOK HOW HAPPY YOU ARE”
Q If you could talk to an expert to gain more insight on something, what would it be about?
I’d want to learn how to scale my business without creating burnout. I’d ask how to gain new business without stretching myself thin.
Q What kind of opportunities/projects are you looking for?
I’m looking to produce and execute content with brands that enable a healthy lifestyle.
Q Describe your ideal job/client/collaboration.
An ideal client values communication, and then everything else trickles from that. If they’re unsure of their budget, if they haven’t 100% decided what they’re looking for, or if they make it known that they may not be sold on a direction yet. Through open and honest communication everything could be solved as we build something together.
I’ve been lucky enough to have one client that has been like this, and not only have I worked with him on multiple brands as he’s bounced around, but I’ve been lucky enough to call him a friend.
Q What is your rate?
To start a brand photography day rate would be $2,500 per day with 50 edited photos included, but with an option to purchase more. This includes pre and post production well. Other variables may be included for production at the cost of the client, as well as usage and licensing per photo depending on media placement.
Q How should someone approach you about working together?
Reach out to me at connect@gabegphotos.com
Please include the scope of your project, include where I can find you if already existing online, your timeline, and lastly your budget. With an idea of your budget you might be able to afford a larger scope of work than originally thought."
Q Who is a creative you admire?
Corey Tyler. He’s a copywriter and Creative Director I’ve worked with on the agency side. His site is www.coreytyler.com He’s super methodical about his writing and everything he does is well informed and intentional.
Also my mentor John Fulbrook. He taught me everything I know about branding, design, and creative strategic thinking while simultaneously keeping energies high. Even when working on a new business pitch at 2 a.m.
Q Oh! and… how do you stay creative?
I teach college kids, and talk to my wife. She knows everything.
This member profile was originally published in October 2023