Today we’d like to introduce you to Grace Gatto.
Hi Grace, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
When I was in grade school, my mom used to sign me up for art classes at our local art school. I was about 10 years old when she signed me up for a photography class and I really believe that is where my obsession started. Simply put – I loved taking photos! When I was in high school, I signed up for my second photography class. I had the most amazing teacher who constantly cheered me on and told me I had a real eye for photography. After that class, I got my first DSLR and I began taking photos of EVERYTHING. I couldn’t get enough!
At the beginning of 2015, I met a local photographer who told me he loved my style and asked me if I wanted to start second shooting weddings for him. After my first wedding, I was hooked. I loved every single minute of capturing a love story. I began taking photos of everything and everyone. I would post on my personal Facebook page and the business came. I was in my undergrad at the time and was also working 3 other jobs, but there was something about photography that I absolutely loved and could not get enough of.
At the end of 2016, I took a job for a corporate company on the east coast and abruptly moved from Colorado. I left my family, friends, and stopped taking photos. 4 months into my move, I could not have been more miserable. I did not like living on the East Coast and was really struggling with the job I was working. I decided my happiness came first and moved back to Colorado in January of 2017.
It wasn’t long after that I decided there was no better time than then to take the leap and start my own thing. In February of 2017, I launched my business, developed a following, and the rest is history!
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The hardest part of starting my business was dealing with the trauma I had from the east coast. While I was living there, I developed severe anxiety and depression which is something I still deal with today. Although it wasn’t directly related to my business, it was something that took a lot of time and work to ease.
I feel very fortunate for ending up where I have with both my business and life. I have been so lucky to do some really amazing things in my career without much challenge or difficulty. I am a firm believer that when you are meant to be where you are and you work hard, the rest will come.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am a wedding photographer! I specialize in weddings, elopements, and engagement sessions. Really anything that has to do with a couple and I am beyond proud of this business I have worked SO hard to create and grow! 5 years ago, I would have never thought that this was the direction my life would have gone, but I am so happy it has worked out the way it has. I truly get to do some of the coolest things, travel to the most amazing places, and work with the best people in the world.
Something I really pride myself in is the experience I set up for my couples. The biggest compliment I could ever receive from one of my couples is that they feel like I have been their friend for years. I try my absolute best to make everyone I photograph feel as comfortable as possible so the experience feels like more than just a photoshoot. Because when people are able to relax and have fun, that is where the magic starts to happen!
Can you talk to us a bit about the role of luck?
I do believe I have been incredibly blessed when it comes to my career. My job brings out the best version of myself and not a lot of people get to say that. I get to see and do some of the coolest things, and for that, I do feel so lucky. However, I have 100% worked harder than I have ever worked in my life for this business. I have put so much work, effort, stress, tears, sleepless nights, compromise, risk into everything I do. And I know I would not be where I am today without that, so yes – I do feel lucky, but I have worked real hard to get here.
Contact Info:
- Email: hello@gracegatto.com
- Website: http://gracegatto.com/
- Instagram: _gracegatto
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gracegattophotography
Image Credits:
Grace Gatto
