Today we’d like to introduce you to Gina Avila.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Gina. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I started this love for photography in my sophomore year of Highschool. I had a teacher, “Mrs.Portnoy” who taught us how to use our manual SLR cameras. Nothing was digital those days so we learned how to shoot, develop our own film, and process our images in a dark room. I couldn’t afford my own camera so the only time we got to use it was in class. I took photography class all the way to my senior year and was part of the yearbook committee, which allowed me to use my own photos in the yearbook. I didn’t like posed images, instead I took Candid shots, students laughing, teachers teaching and random shots of social clicks throughout the school. I always had a disposable camera in my backpack and any moment I could, I would whip it out and snap the memory. Still to this day, I have boxes and boxes of pictures.
As I got older, I used my photography outlet as a way to document some of the hardest times in my life. My mother battled cancer for several years and went to be with the lord in 2009. When she passed away, I put together a slideshow of many pictures I had taken throughout the years and it made me proud to document as I always did. You see memories live in your heart, and when you have a tangible item like a picture to go with almost always takes you back to that very moment. So in 2011, when my daughter Camila was born, I decided to take a leap of faith and start offering my services. I started taking pictures of my daughter with props, setups, and themed sessions.
From them, I grew a small but loyal following. I have families that have hired me for newborns, then first birthdays and so forth. I help people document these memories. I also specialize in weddings, quinceñeras and much more. My style is natural light, candid smiles, and intimate settings. I have never felt like this field is a competition. I have met some of the most amazing colleagues who teach me, inspire me and motivate me. My husband has always supported my passion by making sure I have all the equipment I need and up to date resources. Nowadays, I take on a limited number of weddings, shoot newborn sessions from my home, and dream of one day owning a studio space where I can host my newborn sessions.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
With success comes sacrifice. It wasn’t always easy. I remember renting a camera every other weekend. I couldn’t afford the camera I wanted. Now I own my own and Continue to build my lens lineup. I spent a lot of time away from my family working every weekend. I did this in order to be able to build up my own equipment. The hardest part for me was self-doubt. Every time I saw someone doing the same thing but better, I would doubt my own work. Over time I realized that everyone has their own style and your client will be your client because they chose you. My advice for aspiring new photographers is to pick your style, be true to your self, ask fellow photographers for help. Involve your self with likeminded people and always push the limit with your creativity. You will be amazed at how willing other photographers are willing to help you. Supporting other people’s success was will not dampen your own success!
We’d love to hear more about your work.
I specialize in newborn and children’s photography. Some clients have even called me the baby whisperer. Sometimes I will get a fussy gassy newborn and the parents leave my Sessions in awe of how well I swaddle and wrap babies up for poses. I’m am so proud of the connections I build with my clients. I have a repeat customer and I am so grateful for the relationship ships I build.
For good reason, society often focuses more on the problems rather than the opportunities that exist, because the problems need to be solved. However, we’d probably also benefit from looking for and recognizing the opportunities that women are better positioned to capitalize on. Have you discovered such opportunities?
There’s are so many opportunities for women all across. Building your platform and brand with consistency is so important. It’s our rules and our creativity. The majority of the work I see in social media is mainly female photographers and that makes me so proud.
Contact Info:
- Phone: 214-687-6047
- Email: ginaephotography@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/B4kv95BhW96/?igshid=14af76m7c7bd9
- Facebook: Facebook.com/ginaephotography
Image Credit:
Nlee images
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