Today we’d like to introduce you to Clara Guedelhoff

Hi Clara, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.

I discovered my love for all things beach and ocean when I moved to Australia shortly after graduating high school. Living by the beach has been my goal ever since. When I moved to Puerto Escondido, Mexico with my partner in 2018 I founded Gitans de la Mer Photography as a surf photography endeavour but quickly branched out into lifestyle portraits and brand work.
My photography mostly focuses on the things I love: the beach, ocean, surfing, diving and the lifestyle around it.
In 2021 we moved to El Salvador, land of the rights where I do most of my photography these days. When I’m not behind the camera you can find me gardening, reading and playing with our cats and dogs.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?

For the most part it has been pretty smooth. I’m lucky to have an incredibly supportive partner that has allowed me to follow my creative passions. Photography has always come pretty easy to me, as has connecting with people during their sessions and making them be their best self.
The thing I struggle the most with is surfing. I love it deeply but I am honestly terrible at it. It is the hardest thing I’ve ever tried and makes me question my sanity some days. On the other hand, it’s teaching me not to quit.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?

I am the photographer behind Gitans de la Mer Photography. Gitans de la Mer focuses on capturing the essence of ocean-centric lifestyles through lifestyle portraits and brand photography. It tells the unique stories of those who belong by the sea. My work blends natural beauty with artistic vision, creating images that resonate with the heart and soul of free spirited women and their adventures.

One of the things my clients appreciate most is how I create a relaxed and comfortable environment during our shoots. My approach helps photography subjects feel at ease, allowing their genuine selves to shine through. This ease translates into authentic, natural photos that capture their true essence. It’s always rewarding to hear how much clients love the way their true personalities come across in the images we create together.

Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?

For new photographers, here’s some advice: gear is not everything. While good equipment can help, your skills and creativity matter more. You don’t need to spend thousands of dollars on the latest camera and lens. Practice with a few cheap prime lenses rather than a zoom lens. This will help you understand focal lengths and how to compose them better. Practice by photographing friends and family who aren’t models to learn how to capture natural expressions and moments. Additionally, study the work of other artists. Analyze their composition, lighting, and techniques to understand what makes their photos stand out. Continuous learning and practice are key to developing your unique style and improving your craft.
And one tip that has immensely helped me and that I rarely see for posing advice videos: Make sure your that subjects face is parallel with your lens. If you’re shooting from a low angle, have them bend down towards you a little, If you’re shooting from above, have them tilt their face towards you. This will negate distortion especially with wider lenses.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://gitansdelamer.mypixieset.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gitansdelamer/

Image Credits

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