PICTURE PERFECT

Smore Jesus
May 17, 2019
3 min read

YOU CAN CALL HER GABBY. FOR OVER A DECADE SHE HAS BEEN WELL KNOWN FOR TURNING PEOPLE AND LANDSCAPES INTO WORKS OF ART THROUGH PHOTOGRAPHY. HER TALENTS AND PASSION EXTEND FAR BEYOND THE LENS. GET TO KNOW DETROIT'S FAVORITE PHOTOGRAPHER.

Smore Jesus: Talk a bit about your photography background, how long have you been in the game, Do you have any major influences?

Gabby: I’ve been taking photos for a long time, since about junior high. I’m influenced by a lot but some of my favorites are Francesca Woodman, Eugene Richards, and this dude Joshua Jackson from the UK at the moment.

SJ: You’re based out of La Sirena Studios in Southwest Detroit, who else is involved in La Sirena and what events do you do there?

GB: La Sirena does a lot of community based events for the area as well as house a workspace for two other artists. We do yoga, pilates, and teach workshops through Young Nation.

SJ: You were introduced to the #CoOwnaz lifestyle through photographing Detroit rapper Mister, what was the project you were doing on him?

GB: The project on Mister was to follow him around and show all the things he does to make rapping happen. So I followed him around for a while and documented him working, and ended up going on tour with him, Ialive, and Height for about a week. So it was a really great experience and brought me to all of the #CoOwnaz.

SJ: How has you’re life changed now that you are officially #CoOwnaz?

GB: Wow, I didn’t even know it was official! I’m truly honored. I’m graced with the presence of all the #CoOwnaz so it’s an amazing thing.

SJ: Recently a few your polaroids were showcased in an exhibition at Tangent Gallery, what was the exhibition all about?

GB: Yeah so the show had many photographers but we each had three Polaroids hanging. The theme of the show was Detroit; the Polaroids were scanned and then made quite large.

SJ: What is currently at the top of your playlist?

GB: Right now I’m obsessed with this dude Vanilla. Out of the UK.

SJ: What makes a good photograph to you? Is there something you are looking to bring out of the subject when you shoot?

GB: There are a lot of different things i think that can make a photograph good; lighting, composition, color, etc. I usually try to capture a super intimate moment. I try to bring out the most genuine feels when I’m shooting anything.

GABRIELA BAGINSKI, 2019

GABRIELA BAGINSKI, 2019

SJ: You come from a bakery background. If you were to cater an event what dish is your specialty?

GB: Oof, right now it would be pierogi, for sure. Sauerkraut pierogi is where it’s at. Also trying to perfect the macaron, all in good time.

SJ: You have an extensive collection of cameras. Do have a go to you love shooting with most? Do you have a preference of shooting digital or film?

GB: Right now I’m deep in the world of film. I just recently purchased a 35mm point and shoot, a NikonL35AF. Easy little guy to bring around with me. I mean digital is easy and faster turn around time, so I use that for jobs. The film, love the process.

SJ: “Call Me Maybe” or “Party in the USA”, which song were you feeling more?

GB: “Party in the USA.”

SJ: Is there a photograph or piece of art you made that means the most to you, or carries some sentimental value?

GB: All the photographs I’ve taken of my Grandmother. I have a hard time looking through them but I plan to make a book or a more refined body of work of her.

SJ: Last summer you got to document part of Height Keech’s Computer Rocker Tour, what was that experience like?

GB: Boy oh boy, that time was one of the highlights of my year. Spending time with some real solid dudes and seeing what they do was eye opening. Not to mention traveling the country and photographing, what a time.

SJ: You’re on a first date, are you going Coney Island or Outback Steakhouse?

GB: Coney, for sure.