THROUGH THE LENS OF GABRIELLE FREDERICK

By: Gabrielle Frederick & Connor Duszynski

Creative director and editorial photographer Gabrielle Frederick is a force to be reckoned with in the world of visual arts. Her portfolio is evidence of her unique blend of creativity and technical skill, showcasing photos that are both diverse and captivating. Gabrielle's work is characterized by a distinctive aesthetic that seamlessly merges the realms of photography and creative direction. Her images are not merely snapshots; they are carefully crafted narratives that tell stories, evoke emotions, and challenge perceptions. Each photograph is a testament to her ability to capture the essence of a moment, transforming it into a timeless piece of art.

Her portfolio consists of a vibrant mix of portraits, lifestyle shots, and editorial work. The portraits, in particular, stand out for their ability to capture the subject's personality and essence. Whether it's a close-up shot that reveals the intricate details of a person's face or a full-body portrait that encapsulates their style and attitude, her portraits are a celebration of individuality.

However, it is in her independent editorial work where her skills as a creative director truly shine. From the choice of location and props to the styling and composition, every element is carefully considered and orchestrated to create a cohesive and compelling narrative. Much of Gab’s editorial work has been done at the request of her employer and collaborator indigo octopus, a women's clothing boutique that offers a curated selection of designer brands, featuring hard-to-find brands like Anine Bing, Free City, Byredo, Frankies, Spell, Mother, and Lack of Color, among others. The boutique has both an online store and physical locations in Fenwick Island, DE, and Bethesda, MD that feature countless editorial shots by Gabrielle.

What sets Gabrielle apart is her ability to successfully wear multiple hats. While this is the nature of creative direction, it is no easy feat; you’ll be hard-pressed to find anyone who meets this challenge and exceeds expectations like her. As a creative director, she is responsible for the overall vision and direction of a project. She conceptualizes ideas, oversees the creative process, and ensures that the final product aligns with the intended vision. As a photographer, she is responsible for capturing that vision through her lens. This dual role allows her to have complete control over her independent works, resulting in images that are not only visually stunning but also deeply personal. I sat down with Gab to discuss her earliest artistic inspirations, her blossoming career as an editorial photographer, and her love of fashion, pop-culture, and the written word.

Please introduce yourself to our readers. What should they know about you?

I’m Gab. Im 28. I’m currently living in Arlington, VA, but my work spans the DMV. In a broader sense, my work thus far has always been in the creative space. I am currently the general manager of an elevated beach lifestyle boutique in Bethesda, MD called indigo octopus. I’ve existed in the retail space since I was allowed to work. I left college with a semester remaining in 2018 to accept a position in retail management. I was studying Communications with a PR focus and a Minor in Journalism. In my mind, college would always be there while the chance to get my footing in the retail scene seemed fleeting. I wanted to be engaged and inspired. College wasn’t that for me.

How did you first get started in photography? Did you always have a passion for your work or was it something that developed over time?

Growing up I remember snapping pictures of inanimate objects around my family's home with a Barbie Polaroid — a console with a lamp and flower vase at the staircase landing, a light fixture hanging above the glass dining room table, a photo of the floral themed decals splashing the walls of my childhood room. I guess in a way I was reporting. I don’t know to whom or of what.

I was nine years old taking photos on a Sony handheld at the golf course my grandparents managed when my Papous's wife ‘KK’ said out loud to me that I was good at it. She said that I had ‘the eye.’ I think this kind of person is paramount to development. A person with the will to press pause, to say “you can do this, you know.” Someone with the capacity to champion another is critical, especially at this age. I think she opened my eyes to photography not just being a hobby. I was nine, and I didn’t connect the dots that imagery is captured on purpose (or not) by someone behind a camera for consumption (or not). I just knew I loved to capture. I knew I loved holding a photograph in my hands and I had already recognized a loud and deeper value in the transportive ability that photos have on both the viewer and the capturer.

In high school I would ditch class with my newspaper press pass. I’d take my friends out of class with what I perceived as a golden ticket under the pretense that I was interviewing them for a feature story in the paper on their recent achievements at a lacrosse game or dance recital it was purely to mess around in the hall. Once this resulted in a broken leg from sliding down a stairwell…it's unfortunate we don't have this in image form, since I was the one that ended up in the ambulance. I was and continue to be ‘the drama.’ Seeing my work in print for people to appreciate (or not, I don’t remember caring), not just an off-center blurred Polaroid of a Prince Charming Ken Doll I framed next to my trundle bed, is when I knew I would be a focal part of the storytelling that shapes memory or reality or fiction in whatever way I could be.

My passion for photography and storytelling has developed into creative direction through my experience in retail management and the fashion industry. Photography took a backseat for a while. In retail, I work long days facing customers, always turned all the way ‘on and up.’ I got the opportunity to shoot a campaign for our store last year, and have since come all the way into the passion I have for capturing and communicating through images. It will always be one of the driving forces behind whatever I’m doing. I always think “How can I share this with people? What makes it meaningful? To who?” I'm thankful that last one hasn't stopped me yet.

What are some of the things you consider when shooting? What kind of clients/ shoots do you enjoy working on?

I was taught about the rule of thirds in high school. I always consider if order is necessary in what I’m shooting. A lot of my process hinges on symmetry and how (in some instances) the lack of order creates a kind of chaos that is kismet and that communicates or conveys exactly what had floated around in your mind when you know it’s right. The elimination of excess or the overwhelming of excess comprised in an image both are correct, there is no real right or wrong. I’m drawn to a particular freedom of expression where parameters are irrelevant.