Life & Work with Gabrielle Arregoces of Palos Verdes Area

Today we’d like to introduce you to Gabrielle Arregoces.

Hi Gabrielle, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’m a first generation American, my parents are from Colombia and Honduras and raised me on the American dream of work hard, follow the steps, and achieve. This regimented life that leads to financial well-being and success was always off putting to me, I wanted to be successful yes, but not at the cost of enjoying my life and experiencing all that life has to offer. I have grown up between two worlds, the rational thinker and the dreamer, and some how photography has given me a fence to sit on between these two realities of mine.

My dad bought me my first camera when I was 12 years old, and photography just became this intuitive extension of myself. As someone with big feelings but was never sure how to process them, my camera helped me to channel emotion into a visual medium, which for me is so much more impactful and digestible than words could ever be. I am continuously inspired by the raw and authentic things I see around me, they say life imitates art, which means as a photographer, all I have to do is sit an observe life unfolding.

The practice of observing life unfold through an artistic eye, really clicked for me as I began to photograph Weddings. Finally I found a role where my sensitivity, artistic eye, and powers of observation coalesced to deliver emotion filled and authentic imagery that my clients will look back on for the rest of their lives. What an honor it is to witness peoples deepest celebrations, and be trusted to document it in an honest way. I have really found my footing and passion as a Wedding Photographer and feel so fulfilled to be a part of the vibrant force that is a Wedding.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Like any pursuit towards a goal, the road to becoming a Professional Photographer has not been bump-less, but has been more organic and self-propelling than I expected. When I quit my job a few years ago to pursue Photography full time, as I invested more time into growing my business, I was met with more demand and interest in my work than I thought possible. This quickly created a challenge that I am so blessed to face, which is feeling burnt out and over worked, unsure of when to turn work away, and becoming so consumed in celebrating and documenting special moments in other peoples lives, you don’t have time to live life yourself. As I continue through my photography career, I am realizing creative pursuits require rest as much as they require work. Creativity and inspiration visit only when there is space for them. I now deeply understand Claude Monet’s anecdote on resting and working, although it is harder to practice then it is to understand.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
As a Wedding Photographer, we are providing a service of making and delivering photographs yes, but beyond that people hire us for the way in which we view and understand the world. For me, I am drawn to emotion, and any image that can make me feel something, I love, therefore instinctively try to create. I would say I specialize in authentic and artistic story telling, photographing people in a way that highlights their connection in a whimsical and honest way. I think approaching a wedding with a people-first perspective, really lets me to connect with and understand my clients quickly. This allows comfort and familiarity to supersede any formality and discomfort people may feel when in front of a camera, making space for them to just be present and enjoy their day. This is what I am most proud of, creating a space where people I have just met feel comfortable bringing me in close and showing me who they are.

How can people work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
For any Brides/Grooms looking for Wedding Photography services, you can see my work via instagram @gaby_arregoces or my website www.photographybygabrielle.com, and can inquire via my inquiry form on my website! If you just want to follow the journey or do a creative collab, follow my instagram to see my work and collab opportunities!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.photographybygabrielle.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gaby_arregoces

Image Credits
all my images- Photography by Gabrielle