Gail Foley
Q What do you do?
“I am a visual artists and photographer who specializes in the usage of film.”
I am heavily influenced by my rural upbringing in Vermont and consider my work as queer surrealism. For me, I want to see more representation of queer woman, non-binary lesbians and beyond. I have a focus in portraiture; styling, casting and lighting all of my current works. My dream is to eventually document rural, queer people and gain a wider sense of community. There is something truly unique about us gays who come from the woods.
Q What steps did you take to get to where you are now?
I taught myself how to use a medium format camera after taking a summer course in black and white film photography about 5 years ago. Through much trial and error I feel confident in understanding how film works and how to create beautiful imagery. The biggest steps I have taken has been to challenge myself to reach out, be vulnerable and confident in the work I am able to create. It already feels special to live in a city where the freaks are at my fingertips; it's a lifestyle which is unimaginable for most people from where I was raised.
Q How do you stand out in your field?
I stand out because I am creative and technically skilled. I understand what is needed to capture a moment without any elaborate budgets. I am confident that I have original and exciting ideas; I emphasize an importance on the things I create and how they can then function in our zeitgeist of right now. I am hard working, resourceful and as my boss has told me, I am extremely calm when under pressure.
Q What are you working on right now?
I am currently working on a project inspired by Larry Sultan's the Valley, photographing porn stars in reimagined settings. I am focusing on queer female and non-binary sex-workers and adding a queer twist. Aside from that I am also launching a website called Hickland which will feature small-town queer artists and their work/ outlook on culture.
Q What’s your style?
My personal style is very surreal, I love a splash of horror and mystique. I am a snob about good composition and location, the lighting has to be good or the film will always fall flat. Some of my favorite projects of mine have been a piece titled, Crucifixion, which was apart of Peekaboo Presents opening baptism in Bushwick, NY. Another series I took was inspired by and essay titled the Husband Stitch (Phoebe Bridget wrote an entire album after this essay). It is titled The Green Ribbon and it follows a reimagined Girl with the Green Ribbon child's tale. Both can be found on my website ( which ilovecreatives had featured).
Q Out of all your slashies, which one do you wish you could do more often?
I want to be apart of the creative team, image direction and above all, be the photographer.
Q What is frustrating you right now?
It is hard when you want to balance a career and have a steady freelance of your artistic endeavors. In a dream world my artistic endeavors become my full-time job.
Q If you could hire someone for $20/hour, what would you have them do to make your day easier?
I would have an extra hand for lighting, someone to come in and cut and scan my film for me, so when I sit down it's a mere task of editing.
Q What do you wish you could have told yourself, when, and why?
I guess if I could talk to 17 year old Gail I would tell them things get a lot better and that you won't feel so lonely. Also that antidepressant are incredible and make things feel possible. You never stopped making art, even when it looked really bad.
Q If you could talk to an expert to gain more insight on something, what would it be about?
I want to know more about how to handle starting in commercial work while balancing the idea of fine art. Not only do I want to work with more exciting brands and people, but I want to see my work in more galleries.
Q What kind of opportunities/projects are you looking for?
Photography projects, campaigns and gigs.
Q Describe your ideal job/client/collaboration.
My ideal client/ jobs is one with a small-set, with intentional hands-on-deck. I want to have good communication and a clear vision, as well as leniency to explore and be experimental if the opportunity arises. The people I am working with, I would prefer are queer and working with clients that reflect alyship and concern.
Q What is your rate?
I start at a minimum of $700 for a shoot to cover cost of film, development and my time editing. From there, it will increase dependent upon what the client wants and envisions. I am always up for discussing budgets and hate to say no to any opportunities.
Q How should someone approach you about working together?
I prefer to be reached through email; gail@hick.land, as well as through my instagram @guccigails. An introduction should include that I am a photographer who specializes in film, in a style which the artist calls queer surrealism.
Q Who is a creative you admire?
Liza Sem is an exceptional graphic designer and website developer. She has built my website and has been a long-time collaborator. She and I are launching Hickland together. Her socials are @lizasem and website lizasem.com
Q Oh! and… how do you stay creative?
Long walks with headphones on always gets my brain going.
This member profile was originally published in May 2023