We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Gabby McLoughlin. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Gabby below.

Alright, Gabby thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.

Hmmm.. that’s a hard one. I would just like to say, every project I have ever done & will do, will always be meaningful to me. I’m so grateful for every project that has been handed to me.

With that being said — I believe the most meaningful project i’ve ever worked on, was working with The Velveteers for the very first time in the summer of 2022.

That was my first time getting introduced to the music business. It was also the same day that I realized I never wanted to do anything else, this is where I belonged. —

During that time, I was only really doing makeup for my Instagram & some close friends. I loved it, but I wanted more. When I finally realized that makeup, photography, videography & music can all exist together at the same time, everything changed & for the better.

I got introduced to The Velveteers from the band Greta Van Fleet. They had been opening up for them during their Dreams In Gold tour. When I saw them perform, I was completely ENTRANCED. They absolutely know how to put on a rock show, and I knew I needed to work with them one way or another. — I reached out to their team, and was accepted to do their makeup for their show in Cleveland. After my excitement settled, I quickly realized after that this was truly my first REAL professional gig.

This was without a doubt the most rewarding moment for me, not only because I was getting introduced to this new world — but this team & this band trusted me to work with them & that meant a lot.

To this day, it absolutely was one my favorite moments. I remember coming down from the green room, walking to the stage & I saw my friends and my family. They all cheered when they saw me, and embraced me in one group hug. — I’ll never forget that.

It was such a full circle moment, really. Coming from a lot of years of being unsure, afraid of dreaming big, not amounting to anything because I didn’t go to college etc. — All that doubt in my head came to a sudden stop, the moment I saw The Velveteers walk on stage that night. Rocking out and wearing my makeup on their faces, that is when I FINALLY knew this is where I’m meant to be. From that point forward I promised myself I will do everything in my power to make this dream a reality.

Gabby, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

For those who have no idea who I am— Hi! My name is Gabby (facebygem) & I am a Photographer and Makeup Artist.

I have been a makeup artist seriously since 2017, an enthusiast since 2014. I’ve always been obsessed with photography & videography, and always wanted to take a stab at it.

Finally once I got the equipment in the beginning of 2022, photography became another dream of mine. I started off with street photography first, and loved it so much. Realizing that you are able to catch fleeting moments happening around you is so beautiful, & you’ll always be able to look back on them and remember exactly what was going on in that moment.

When I got the chance to do The Velveteers makeup for the first time in Cleveland, that was when I got introduced properly to what Music Photography was by coolest photographer out there, Jackilyn Cooper.— It was abundantly clear that these dreams of mine, can absolutely become a reality.

From then on, I have given a lot into this business (and so excited to give WAY more).
This is what I want to do for the rest of my life, I feel most happy when I’m at a show (whether that’s doing makeup, or photography) I love it all. I live for that rush, the live music, the behind the scenes of everything. — It’s beautiful, watching the crowd gather into one place for one reason… to listen to music. Getting to capture that is truly extraordinary. I wouldn’t want to do anything else, ever.

It’s all my favorite things in one place. Makeup, Photo/Video & music. It’s home!

In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?

This is a great question, and something I truly believe needs to be talked about more! — When it comes to supporting artists/creatives the answer is simple…

PAY THEM. GIVE CREDIT WHERE CREDIT IS DUE. SUPPORT THEM LIKE THEY SUPPORT YOU.

Being an artist in this industry can be very hard to just get the recognition you deserve. With that being said, if you have any creatives or artists in your life.. SUPPORT THEM! Repost their work, buy their work, pay them, read their articles, go to their shows, buy their merch, buy their albums, spread the word about them, and recognize that this work is NOT easy! We work VERY hard, and with all that hard work we deserve a support system who has our backs!

Also, SUPPORT LOCAL
ARTISTS/MUSIC/CREATIVES &
BUSINESSES! The best way to get anywhere in this business is one, working hard & word of mouth. Spread the word about your local people!!!

Do you think there is something that non-creatives might struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can shed some light?

When starting out, which was not too long ago, my friends and family had trouble understanding why I was doing my work for free.

They didn’t understand that I haven’t paid my dues yet. And they REALLY didn’t understand when I told them that being recognized by a band, or tagged in a post by a client means SO much more to me than money. And I THINK that if I can wake up and do this job for free, I picked the right job!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://artistrybygem.com/
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/facebygem?igshid=NGVhN2U2NjQ0Yg==
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabrielle-mcloughlin-809737236?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app

Image Credits
Photos Credits: Belong to Face By Gem / Gabrielle McLoughlin Artists photographed in order: Melanie Martinez Detention Scene Queen Stephen Sanchez The Velveteers Hoko Bullet For My Valentine