Meet Grace Gioiello | Photographer & Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Grace Gioiello and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Grace, why did you pursue a creative career?
I pursued a creative career because it is something I have always been interested in and passionate about. Ever since I was a child I would always spend my free time drawing, painting, collaging, experimenting with needle arts or taking photographs. My grandparents on both sides have a collection of really well photographed family photos that I think should be in a book. My nonna has always made really beautiful crochet, knit, embroidery and other needle art works. My dad’s side also has digital artists and painters. On my moms side we have painters and seamstresses, my mom is also a really talented artist in just about anything she tries. Growing up I never fully considered having a creative career because I was under the impression that I would not be able to make money from it, it was something I could always just do for fun. It wasn’t until high school and having to apply to colleges that I realized there was nothing else I wanted to do, I did not have a dream college or any specific career, I just wanted to document and create with my camera. Even in college I still had my doubts and I bounced around majors; photojournalism, photography, getting an AA in art history, and now going to get my BA in photography. Having really supportive parents that encourage me to pursue an education and career in photography because they see how passionate about it I am also really helped be make that final step.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I think what sets me apart from others is that I don’t shoot solely for aesthetics. I want the viewer to feel some type of emotion, be reminded of a memory or a dream when they see my work. I consider these things in my personal photographs at least. For my professional work, like portraits, I offer timeless memories on film. I also offer digital services but I just really love the whole process and the results I get from film. They are portraits that you’ll be able to appreciate for years. I am in the works of producing more fine art and contemporary photography all based on dreams and nightmares, this is what I am really excited about.

I got to where I am today by doing my research, working lots of jobs I didn’t like, and constantly taking photographs of my own. I am fortunate to have had access to a camera for as song as I can remember, even if it was a little digital Kodak point and shoot. I grew up being a really quiet kid who just liked to observe everyone and everything. I constantly took photos of my family and friends, whether we were celebrating or just going about a normal day, I always had a camera on me (something I still do.) It wasn’t until I was about 16 I started getting more experimental with my photography when I accidentally took some double exposures. Getting to this point hasn’t been the easiest, one summer I was working three different jobs and I just got burnt out and didn’t shoot anything that was meaningful for a while. The last job I had my manager asked me what I wanted to do as a career so I told him photography, he replied that photography would just be good as a side job. Hearing responses like that or seeing the look on people’s faces when I told them what I wanted to do career wise was really discouraging and made me question what I wanted to do with my life or be too ashamed to tell me what I really wanted to do. Those negative reactions also encouraged me to finally quit my job and pursue freelance photography. Now I just want to prove those people wrong and be really successful with what I am doing. I still feel doubtful when business is slow but then I remind myself that its only temporary.

I guess I want the world to know that there is a lot more to come from me and Of All Things Darkroom and Photography. Although I want to delve into fine art I also believe in making art more accessible for people who can’t afford original prints. I’m working on some things that will be available on my online shop this spring. I also want people to know that photography is more than just a job or hobby for me. I have been very passionate about photography since I was 15, I would study photographers and their work for fun, it was almost an obsession. It’s something that I think about every day and can’t imagine my life without.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would like to thank my parents for always encouraging my photographic journey and being endlessly supportive. Mike Gray for having me assist on his photoshoots and introducing me to a different creative environment. Most importantly my boyfriend Alex, he and his family built me a darkroom to further expand my creative photography. Alex is also always going with me to photograph, is constantly reassuring me about my work, inspires me to do better and is overall just very supportive about me pursuing photography.

Website: https://www.ofallthingsdarkroom.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ofallthingsi/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/grace-gioiello-022bbb260/