Check Out Paul Gomez’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Paul Gomez.

Hi Paul, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I am a Colorado native and my love for photography came late in my 20s. My enthusiasm for photographing automobiles and motorcycles led me to Brooks Institute in Santa Barbara, CA, where I earned a degree in Professional Photography with an emphasis in Commercial Photography. After graduating with a BA, I started Gray Box Studios in 2010 with a fellow Brooks Institute Alum where we specialie in product, eCommerce, food, beverage, and architecture photography.

I taught Digital Photography I and a basic Adobe Photoshop as an Adjuct Instructor at the Communtity College of Aurora from 2011-2015 and am currently an Adjuct Instructor at Red Rocks Community College and Arapahoe Communty College and teach Commercial Studio Lighting, Archtitecture Photography and Digital Capture I.

Besides photography and teaching, I enjoy listening to music, tasting craft beers, playing tennis (table and court) and playing board games.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Starting a photography studio is not an easy task as building a steady client base takes trust and expirieance. As we were starting Gray Box Studios (GBS), I assisted many other Commercial Photographers and took on part-time jobs (including teaching) in order to pay the bills.

My business partner stepped away from GBS at the end of 2015, so I had to reconfigure how GBS would run and who to bring in to help. Replacing him proved to be difficult but I have a good team around me now.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
In my professional career as a Commercial Photographer, I specialize primarily in product, e-commerce, architecture and food photography. Though I am comfortable working on location and mixing in artificial light, I love working in a controlled studio environment where I can shape the light to create any mood that fits the scope of the project. In my close circles, I am known as the “Lighting Guru”. When photographing products on a solid color background with very little to no props, lighting is the only thing that will make the product look good and I feel that my attention to detail and lighting is what sets me apart from most other photographers.

Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
The best advice I give my students in my photography classes is to say yes, show up and be punctual when opportunities present themselves.
If there is someone you want to work with or meet, be persistent in your communication. I was told this as a student and did not realize how true it is until I became a professional. I may disregard the first email of someone wanting to assist or meet me as I get so many on a regular basis, but if I see multiple communications from the same person, I will reach out and meet the individual. It shows that they are serious and less likely to waste time.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://grayboxstudios.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/grayboxstudios
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/grayboxstudios
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-gomez-493a2618/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@grayboxstudios

Image Credits
Headshot created by Silver Sparrow Photography

All other images created by Gray Box Studios