Daily Inspiration: Meet Gaby

Today we’d like to introduce you to Gaby.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Being anything other than an artist never really felt like an option for me. From a young age, I was fascinated by visual art in all its forms, and it was just a matter of figuring out which medium could truly hold everything I wanted to express. I started with drawing and painting, which taught me how to observe the world, but photography opened the door to a deeper connection. Behind a camera, I realized how powerful lighting, color, and composition could be, not just to create something beautiful, but to tell a story, spark emotion, and make someone feel understood.
While I was exploring photography, I was also falling in love with movies, shows, and theater. When I finally had the chance to film someone in an acting class, everything clicked for me. Cinematography gave me the mix of visual expression, storytelling, and human connection that I had been searching for in every other medium. Being on a set surrounded by people all working toward a shared creative vision felt like the missing piece. It gave me the collaboration and sense of community I never completely got from drawing, painting, or shooting alone. Cinematography lets me be involved in creating something that resonates beyond just me, and create work that can connect with people. Because of that, I can’t imagine doing anything else.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
In 2021, I had the privilege of being able to move to the US to learn and grow my skills within the world of filmmaking. I attended AMDA College of the Performing Arts for a year before transferring to the Los Angeles Film School to study film production with a concentration in cinematography. Even though this chapter of my life was really exciting because I got the chance to pursue my goals in film, moving to a new country where I didn’t know anyone and had to quickly adapt was sometimes overwhelming and scary. I did everything I could during my time in film school to get as much hands-on experience as possible. As a young, female DP, there are times when your knowledge and belonging behind the camera are questioned and doubted, but moments like that just pushed me to keep improving and challenging myself to become better and more confident in what I do. Despite the challenges, it has been worth it because of the people I have met, the things I have learned, and the great projects I’ve worked on.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I always approach cinematography from the perspective of what best serves the story and the characters. Whether I’m working on a comedy, drama, or thriller, my visuals are never just about looking pretty, but about emotionally grounding the audience in what the scene is trying to say. I think it’s important to have range and adaptability as a cinematographer, and the challenge of trying something new always excites me. I’m proud of all the progress I have made as a filmmaker in my time here, both as a student, and the time I have had as a graduate. During my time at the Los Angeles Film School, I had a great time working as the cinematographer on award-winning student shorts such as “Sybil” directed by Stella Bleau, which won the Silver Award for Best Student Short at the Independent Shorts Awards in 2025, and the short film “Enough”, directed by Maxine Rödiger, which won 14 awards world-wide, including the award for Best Women’s Short Film at the Thilsri International Film Festival in 2025. At that same festival, I also received an award for my poster design on “Enough”. Right now, I am very excited for people to see my cinematography work in my upcoming short films. Starting its film festival run soon is the film “To Shine Again”, a psychological thriller written and directed by Marcell Leon Virágh, a beautiful project where I learned and improved so much as a cinematographer. Also coming soon to festivals is “In Place”, a romantic dramedy written and directed by Stella Bleau. More than anything, I’m excited to keep meeting more artists, and learning and improving my craft as a cinematographer and assistant camera for as long as I’m able to.

Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
I am always open to working with new people, telling new stories, and challenging myself. If you’re looking for a cinematographer, AC, or camera operator for your film, music video, commercial, or show, you can find me and communicate with me on Instagram (@gabymanzzanares) and on my website (gabymanzanaresdp.com). I think that through great communication, planning, and a strong vision, we can make any project a success.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.gabymanzanaresdp.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gabymanzzanares/
• Other: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm16322680/?ref_=nmawd_ov_bk

Image Credits
Jeremy Bwrede