Meet Gabrielle Johnson of Chasing Horizons Photography

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

Hi Gabrielle, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I’ve always been immersed in the arts—whether dancing, playing music, singing, or creating with a camera, but what began as playful photoshoots with my friends on iPod Touches grew into a calling & passion in high school. It led me to earn multiple Associate degrees in Art and Photography and a Bachelor of Arts in Visual Studies. Two unique skills I’m especially glad to have because of my bachelor’s program are: operating in the darkroom and learning how to shoot a large-format field view camera with 4×5 inch negative film sheets! (Something similar to what the legendary Ansel Adams used.) Because of my work with film photography, I feel that I bring a strong sense of lighting and composition into the work I do.

Now through Chasing Horizons Photography, I’m overjoyed to offer both brand and lifestyle photography that capture my clients’ legacies with creativity and alignment. I truly love what I do—and I love to share it with anyone who works with me.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I don’t think any career in the arts is smooth sailing, but especially now that people have access to high quality phone cameras and AI tools, I have to find ways to stand out show my value. I also believe photographers (or any business owners for that matter) come to a very low point sooner or later, a crossroads, where they have to really choose if they’re going to continue. I think if every photographer and I are honest, we’d say that we’ve been to that crossroads many times because it does get tough if friends or family question if this career is sustainable. If there is a month when business is slower than normal. One of my struggles has been figuring out social media haha. But I can honestly say this profession is challenging and fulfilling at the same time. It continues to push me to be the best I can possibly be as a person, as a business owner, and as a creative, and it’s built in me characteristics and skills that I can not get doing anything else.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
For sure! My business offers two branches of photography services. The first is branding photography services where I specialize in editorial styled portraiture, product, service based brands, and fine art commissioned work for publications. Whether I’m working with a personal brand or major company, my goal is to tell their brand’s visual legacy so they build authority, drive measurable growth, and never stress about content again.

The other branch of my business is lifestyle photography where I specialize in maternity, in-home newborn sessions, and creative portraiture. This side is where I love helping people preserve their legacies because I often think of what we’re giving to our children. They’ll have access to us like no other generation has had before– photos, videos, and voice memos with the most advanced technology humanity has ever seen. We need to give them something beautiful and intentional.

And I’m happy to announce that I’m offering a limited 10% discount to the first 3 people who book with me within two weeks of this article being published. To get the discount, inquiries must state the name of this article and that it was read.

In terms of your work and the industry, what are some of the changes you are expecting to see over the next five to ten years?
AI is changing the media industry so quickly, and laws are not keeping up. We’re seeing more commercials being made with AI rather than with real photographers, videographers, set designers, make up artists, etc… I think we’re going to run into some copyright issues of where AI is learning to do these things, but in general, I think we’re going to see a pendulum swing of people wanting human made content, connection, and services. However, I do think people are still going to want human services with the ease and quickness of modern technology. So I think content creators and photographers need to be able to streamline their services to be fast and efficient while keeping their human connection and warmth with their clients.

Pricing:

• Brand sessions begin at $1,000
• Lifestyle sessions begin at $500

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.chasinghorizonsphoto.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chasinghorizonsphoto.branding/ and https://www.instagram.com/chasinghorizonsphoto/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chasinghorizonsphotography
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/-gabriellejohnson
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ChasingHorizonsPhoto
• Other: gabij@chasinghorizonsphoto.com

Image Credits
Gabrielle Johnson, Chasing Horizons Photography