Gisela Prishker represents a new generation of Latinos photographers. Specializing in fashion, editorial and wedding photography. Among other thing she works as a photographer for the Hispanic magazine Somos. Originally from Mexico, at the age of 14, she realized her love for photography. At age sixteen, started playing around with the camera while still at school and was offered a job working for a local newspaper, photographing the most popular people in the city and was later moved to shoot images for another section of the paper where she was to cover concerts and famous artists that arrived in the city. Looking for new opportunities she later applied at another newspaper where they rejected her for lack of experience.This did not stop her though as she was determined to get the job. She insisted so much that she did get a job for the paper although not as a photographer at first, but with time was able to work with a reporter and do photography once more.Having won a contest in the Fort Lauderdale Institute later tookher to travel to Miami at age 19, but because of life’s circumstances, Gisela had to take a break from photography for six years. Later her decision to return to the world of photography, would give her more courage than ever to dedicate herself once more to what she loved the most. Although she did not have much money she focused on returning to school to take classes and with the help and support of two very good friends was able to go forward and not give up what she loved. She lived in Montana, where she continued her studies while practicing photgraphy, while doing other types of work to support her photography education. The first time Gisela was able to develop an image in the darkroom was for her a truly magical moment. To be able to actually see for the first time how an image was transformed, made her appreciate her vocation even more so.It’s only been three years since Gisela opened her business in photography and for the first time ever, has been able to dedicate herself 100% to the business. These days, you rarely see her without a camera as she is always looking for something beautiful to photograph.Her inspiration along the way has been Annie Lebowitz and Mary Ellen Marks. “Somethingthat always worries me is the prostitution of young poor children, and Annie captures this in her images” I have always thought I would like to do what Annie does for a living and also Mary Ellen’s style because I love documentary or editorial work and the interesting people you can capture. Gisela’s style of photography according to her is sensual. Her work is also addictive, as her clients not only look for her only once a year, but keep coming back at least threetimes in a year for photo shoots. “I don’t just sell an image or a product, apart from a service,I sell experience”.
Gisela always tries to make her sessions fun and tries to make her subject feel as though she is the most beautiful woman in the universe. What she likes the most is boudoir and shooting models. “It is a very intimate moment, besides the person has to have much trust and confidence in you to be able to present themselves for this type of photoshoot. Gaining the trust of the client is the best thing, because after this occurs, you canbegin to capture any kinds of images that onewants because that trust is now there”. Prishker also enjoys fashion and editorial photography, and is yet working on this to take it to another level. With the help of a hairstylist/make-up artist friend, her plans are to create a portafolio of high fashion photography. Joining her will also be a fashion designer and this project, she hopes will be completed very soon.Gisela is a frequent flyer to Florida where she once also resided. She does this once a month as she already has her calendar scheduled with clients who have booked photo shoots with her for when she arrives. Usually, her clients are ready to schedule a new session before they have seen the images from the previous one. When they do see the images, they make plans to prepare for the next shoot so that they may look even better.
Last year she very proudly was able to conduct an event in the Shrine Auditorium, where she gathered a group of professional Hispanic photographers, fashion designers, models, make-up artists etc. in order to make a promotional video and also form a networking group of professionals that also include florists, videographer, catering services, wedding planners. All this with the purpose of starting her own company although small at first but her goals are to make it grow with time. Definitely what Gisela sells is her personality and a great achievement for her at this time in her life has been the ability to be able to balance her career with her personal life. This is something she did not have before. Now a days she is able to dedicate more time to those things she loves to do besides her career and spend more time with family and friends. Her future plans besides forming her own company, include to give more seminars, contribute to magazines, and she is also a mentor to three very important people whom she is currently helping to improve their photography. She would like to see them grow and become better than her at what they do. Advice to any photographer is to fight for what you want, be persistent. That it is not easy and there are sacrifices that need to be made, but if you love what you do it is well worth it in the end and great things will come. Also very important, not to forget to givethanks to those who helped you along the way and beable to recognize those who helped.web site: http://www.giselaprishker.net/
