A Chat with Gabriela Gabrielaa

For Gabriela, photography is about more than capturing a polished final image. It’s about becoming part of a place, building trust with the people around her, and recognizing the everyday moments that quietly connect our lives. In this week’s podcast, she discusses moving from commercial photography into street portraiture, learning to approach people with confidence and respect, and allowing time and genuine connection to shape her work.

Above Photograph © Gabriela Gabrielaa

Highlights from Gabriela’s candid conversation include her approach to blending into a scene, the portrait she created after days of connecting with a woman in Nepal, and her love for photographing ordinary routines that might otherwise pass undocumented.

The conversation also takes an honest look at the realities behind a creative life. Gabriela explains how she moved from hiding behind the camera to sharing more of herself online, why creators need to develop their own voices across different platforms, and how organization, business knowledge, financial awareness, and firm boundaries have helped her build a lasting freelance career.

Ultimately, Gabriella’s story is a reminder that finding your voice requires knowing who you are, creating for yourself first, and surrounding yourself with people who genuinely want to see you succeed.

If you’ve enjoyed this podcast, please follow us @bhpodcastnetwork and be on the lookout for more inspiring conversations in our new format.

Guest: Gabriela Gabrielaa

Episode Timeline

• 0:00: Introducing Gabriela: Finding yourself as an artist and creative.
• 2:21: The growing importance of behind-the-scenes storytelling.
• 3:31: Moving from commercial photography to street portraiture.
• 4:44: Building confidence and helping people feel comfortable in front of the camera.
• 8:46: Slowing down, observing, and finding photographs within a single place.
• 11:10: Building trust to create a memorable portrait in Nepal.
• 12:25: Why meaningful photography takes time.
• 15:19: Translating the sounds and sensations of the street into photographs.
• 16:05: Collaborating with musicians and putting visuals to sound.
• 21:14: Concert photography, spontaneity, and the possibilities of creative control.
• 22:18: How collaboration and community helped Gabriela’s career flourish.
• 24:06: Knowing who you are and allowing the right community to find you.
• 25:13: Creative boundaries and knowing when to walk away.
• 26:04: Turning manifestation into action through planning and persistence.
• 28:09: How social media affects the creative process.
• 30:09: Moving from behind the camera to becoming more visible.
• 35:55: Inspiration, influence, and why every artist brings a different perspective.
• 37:20: Art school, online education, and the value of real-world experience.
• 40:31: Bringing tactile collage and physical inspiration back into the process.
• 43:18: Why photographers need to understand marketing and business.
• 49:55: Removing the stigma around day jobs and creative side careers.
• 51:11: Working across photography, directing, set design, acting, and modeling.
• 53:31: Ongoing personal projects, including “Bag Lady.”
• 54:44: Photographing bicycles around the world.
• 59:02: Self-publishing, creative networks, and friends who help you grow.
• 1:00:31: Returning to Latin America, reconnecting with her roots, and making intentional work.
• 1:02:20: Rest, boundaries, and bringing a sense of peace back into the creative process.
• 1:03:22: Final thoughts on community, personal responsibility, and continued growth.

Guest Bio

Gabriela Gabrielaa is a prominent Colombian-American photographer known for her work in portraiture, street photography, and lifestyle photography. Based in New York City, her photography captures the dynamism of urban life, showcasing both the complexities and the beauty of the world around her. Since picking up a camera at the age of 11, Gabriela has committed herself to creating powerful visual narratives that explore themes of identity, culture, and the spaces we inhabit. Over the past 10 years, she has developed a distinctive artistic style that resonates with a global audience, establishing her as a compelling voice in the world of photography. Gabriela collaborates with brands such as Sony, Red Bull, and Governors Ball. Additionally, she is a producer, curator, and community builder, bridging traditional and digital art practices.

Host: Derek Fahsbender 
Senior Creative Producer: Jill Waterman
Technical Producer/Video Editor: Peter Maziarz
Executive Producer: Dana Glidden