Gina Garbero

I am a photographer. A passion that literally found me... sort of like a cat chooses it's owner. It's an interesting story if you care.
I always thought I wanted to own a restaurant. I did that, I had a nice one... downtown Portland Oregon. One of the best experiences of my life. No matter how hard I tried and how bad I wanted it to work, well, it just wasn't meant to be. Shortly after I closed the restaurant I got divorced... then my life changed!
OK, so it's been in a constant state of changing really. I grow a little every day! I found an online social group that taught me how to come out of my shell with strangers, then I discovered Burning man. For those of you that are not familiar, it's customary to bring a gift for people. Not having a lot of money at the time, I took up Henna. After a year managing a Subway restaurant and doing henna part time I was laid off. After my second year of Burning man I was getting really good at henna! On a side note, when I was younger I got a degree in desktop publishing so websites were always fun to build. Around Nov on 2008, after being unemployed for about 6 months, I decided to buy a camera to get better photos of my henna clients. My purpose was to make a really amazing website and be a henna artist full time. Well, one thing led to another! Up until that point I feel like everything in my life has been preparing me to run this photography business. Even the uncomfortable boudoir shoot I endured when I was 20 that taught me the importance of finding a non creepy photographer. I can tell you, it's really sucky to find yourself on the posing side of a situation with a dirty old man with a camera! Yuck!!! Not pleasant at all!!!
So I got my camera in November of 08. In January, still unemployed, a good friend showed me how to the camera beyond its point and shoot capacity. It's been a whirl wind year ever since. People started talking about my photography and the more photos I took, the more people wanted to hire me. My skill grew by leaps and bounds every week! I have 6 weddings under my belt now. (Along with some new equipment and a small photography studio in my home) So far, my clients have been extremely happy with the results. I started expanding my portfolio. If I don't have a paid job, I will find a trade type job... anything to keep practicing, building, learning, discovering and creating!
I simply put myself out there and enjoy what I do. I offer affordable and creative photography to regular people. I have never been happier!