Daily Inspiration: Meet Gabe Brison

Today we’d like to introduce you to Gabe Brison.

Gabe, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I grew up in different parts of Kansas City and have always gravitated towards creativity, art, and helping others. As I’ve grown, it has been amazing to see my interests and skills combine and overlap as I’ve found my path.

As a child, I thought I would make movies or art, write, or be a musician. Now, I see that doing a little of all of those is possible and fulfilling! In school I enjoyed making all types of art, participating in lots of theatres, and playing the piano.

I have worked in kitchens, scooped ice cream, been a barista, and a professional body piercer, and I enjoyed all of that as well. I studied design and photography in high school and college, but nothing made me fall in love with photography like the reactions I receive from my subjects.

Similar to my job as a piercer, people wanting photographs can be intimidated by the process, but I try to make it fun and approachable. I love being able to give my clients a session where they feel accepted, embraced, and empowered. In the beginning, I mostly did event photography or traditional portrait sessions. I still love behind-the-scenes shoots and product/service photo assignments.

As I have grown braver and more passionate about accessibility and body positivity, I have leaned into helping people make photos that celebrate the combination of their beautiful bodies, personalities, and fantasies. I am so grateful for the sacred trust clients give me and am so rewarded by collaborating to make art we both love.

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
Being an artist definitely comes with many hurdles, and for me, the biggest one has been trusting myself. I am always getting better at handling perfectionism, but it can be easy to slip into self-doubt sometimes.

In my young life at least, sexuality, bodies, and gender were often only discussed with a lot of policing and shame involved. I used to be mostly motivated by guilt and fear, and as I have let go of that, I have seen how often healing can start by facing stigmas head-on.

The media here seems to say only certain bodies are valid; only certain people can be sexual in certain ways, and sexuality is dirty and shameful if it isn’t for mass enjoyment. I have had many moments where my conditioning has made me doubt what I am doing and my goals. I have to remind myself how desperately the world needs to see more human-positive media.

Social media can also be a rollercoaster for creatives, especially anyone that slightly varies from “mainstream” content. Platforms’ biases, shadow bans, and algorithms can be incredibly disheartening, as can comparing yourself to other artists. I try to connect with other artists about my issues with social media, and it is reassuring to see how many of us have the same struggles and that we keep on keeping on.

I am lucky to have people in my life and amazing clients that remind me of the importance and validity of my work. Hearing that my photos are the first of someone’s body that they’ve loved touches my heart. Seeing people proudly post photos we created gives me goosebumps!

I love seeing that our culture seems to be becoming more conscious of how vital positivity is! It’s always nice to get a sincere compliment, and we need to remember to give them out!

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I love all types of photo challenges, but I have come to specialize in what I call “human-positive” photography.

I am fascinated by humans! We are almost never just ONE aspect of ourselves, and I aim to display how the different pieces of us combine in diverse, beautiful ways. There is nothing wrong with focusing on one aspect of art/photography, but I aim to de-compartmentalize.

I want clients to use my sessions to get photos they dream of, and I love collaborating to portray them as the complex combinations they are. We all have different bodies, natures, senses of humor, sexualities, goals, and desires. I think the more we can show the world our beautiful, varied selves, the less difficult and revolutionary it will become to celebrate ourselves as we are.

I believe everyone deserves to have photos of themselves that they love. I like to try lots of collaborative ideas at shoots to see what looks great and feels right for my clients. I try to be accessibly priced and do not charge for editing or digital copies of all the photos that turn out.

I am proudest of the way my shoots have empowered and healed people. I have too many stories to even start, but witnessing the self-love and acceptance fuels my fire, and I am so honored to help facilitate those moments.

The crisis has affected us all in different ways. How has it affected you and any important lessons or epiphanies you can share with us?
The pandemic changed a lot for me.

Pandemics were one of my biggest fears growing up, and in many ways living through one has in a sense gotten a huge fear out of the way for me. Making money in the service industry or as an artist became more difficult and complicated, but I tried to focus on how it pushed me to be creative and gave me more time alone to process, heal, and plan.

As navigating the world is starting to become easier, I am feeling more driven and inspired than I ever have. I am excited to travel, perform, and create!

Pricing:

• $150 – Mini Shoots
• $250 – Full Sessions
• $350 – Light and Skin sessions
• $20+ original compositions

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: otterlope.com
• Instagram: @lightandskinphotography
• SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/gabe-brison
• Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/0jfTVZlg7dSa0dMnwsTxOW?si=ToCqJmYSTb2gNFONTq_L9w