We caught up with the brilliant and insightful GINA PECHO a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

GINA, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Learning the craft is often a unique journey from every creative – we’d love to hear about your journey and if knowing what you know now, you would have done anything differently to speed up the learning process.

A skill or rather helpful advice I would say that’s essential is consistency. As a freelancer you have slow periods or lulls. To constantly be shooting is so helpful. It keeps the wheels turning. On the business side of things now as a freelancer , I would say its essential to know the ins and outs of bookkeeping, and tracking expenses. If I had had that knowledge earlier in my career I dont think my journey would have been as difficult. Maybe even access to business classes in college would have been helpful.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I am a lifestyle and portrait photographer. My main focus these days has been photographing family, mothers, and children.

I started out in Chicago with more of a documentary photography focus, moved to New York for a little bit and slowly made my way to LA. I initially started working in ‘catalog’ (ecommerce/ fast fashion). After assisting a lot in my 20’s I started out as a digi tech which got me in the door at Hautelook (which eventually was acquired by Nordstrom) – I then moved up to staff photographer where I remained for 4 years. It taught me a lot, and gave me the wings to go off on my own eventually. in 2016, I started using my maiden name as my business name, and started shooting food, more fashion and lifestyle under Gina Cella Photography.

Then, in 2017 after starting a family, my focus shifted a bit and I wanted to be able to photograph things that resonated with me more. I started photographing families and mothers and found a real joy and purpose in that. I started Gina Nicole Photography in 2018 and since then my business has grown – even in the pandemic. A real understanding for the beauty in small moments sets me apart I think from a lot of other family photographers. Also my training in school, shooting with film and truly understanding color theory, and studying the great photographers of our world. I will also hugly attribute my knowledge of light, shadow, angles and composition to my time on set day in and day out in the studios of Hautelook and Nordstrom. It became second nature to me and and stuck with me all these years. When you don’t really have anyone else but yourself to set up your own lighting, backdrops and know the ins and outs of all the workings of a shoot, I feel it really prepares you for a pivot like mine later in life.

My work isnt your typical cookie cutter family or maternity photography business. Sure, the holidays bring out a lot of families wanting their moment with a gorgeous fall setting for that perfect family card! (even I want that!) but normally a client that comes to me wants a more contemporary flare on things I’d say. I definitely think my background of documentary photography and working in fashion has helped curate that.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

I think whats most rewarding for me is that I truly love what I do. There’s been times in my life where I wanted to give it all up, and try something else which was a result of defeat or frustration. Its rewarding to keep chugging forward know you’re in the right profession or place.

I see a lot of people struggling with their careers or feeling stuck. Feeling jaded or frustrated is very normal, but I see a lot of people not feeling fulfilled in their careers. I feel very lucky that never once have I disliked what I do. I think a lot of that is my personality type. I am an emotional and visual person. I think most artists are. So passion takes over and leading with your heart vs your head is probably a common theme amongst most artists. I feel its rewarding to know in your heart you’re on the right path and always growing.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

I want to model resilience for my kids as much as I can. I don;t know what they’ll do later in life but I want them to see that multitasking is an art in itself and that running a small business takes time. Inspiration also comes with knowledge. Travel, reading books on your craft, learning constantly is key – it shapes who you are. My kids are my driving force and my goal is to continue to grow my business more and more each year. Sometimes those goals seem small, but in the end, growth even if it’s just a little bit each year can be a big deal.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.ginanicolephoto.com
• Instagram: @gina_nicole_photo
• Other: www.ginacellaphoto.com (my lifestyle and commercial site)

Image Credits
all photos taken by me