Today we’d like to introduce you to Gabriel Chavez Zeckua.
Hi Gabriel, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
My name is Gabriel Chávez Zeckua, I’m from Mexico City and I’ve been living in San Antonio for eight years. Seven years ago, I bought my first GoPro camera with the intention of getting as many videos as I can of my newborn Santiago.
During my research on how to use the camera, I found a video that changed my life: It was a Youtube video of a couple of whales in the middle of the ocean. The video was so clear, and I noticed the camera going too close to the whales and then too high. I was wondering how it was filmed, I discovered it was with a drone.
After that, I bought my first (used) drone on eBay. By that time drones didn’t come with a camera, but you can adjust it to attach a GoPro on it (yes, the same GoPro that I bought!). I learned how to fly and take videos and pictures with it. I don’t remember how many Youtube videos I watched to get it, but after a lot of practice, I was able to get my first videos. I started in the Texas Hill Country and, little by little while I feel more confident, I started to fly close to buildings.
I got amazed, since my first shots, by the unique perspective that only aerial photography offers. I started showing my pictures and videos through my Instagram and Facebook and people also got amazed not only by the technique but also by having different angles of ordinary things. I started to upgrade my equipment, I got a new and better drone, I got a better camera, but I knew that wasn’t enough because if I wanted to upgrade the quality of my pictures and videos, I needed to invest in myself, so I also studied Post-Production Certification in Los Angeles.
Drones were relatively new by 2015 and the very first book in the World of Aerial Photography with drones was published by that year and one of my pictures was selected and printed on it. In 2016 one of my pictures was selected to be on display at Le Salon de la Photo in Paris, France (One of the largest events of the European Photography Market).
In 2017 I started my first video series called: San Antonio Personalities, which was a one-minute video showcasing local Personalities of San Antonio. Thanks to that project, I started to be known in our community and I created my brand, Skyline Drone. In 2019 I filmed my first short film: Run Darling, Run who was the winner of the Wimberley Film Festival in 2020. In that same year, I released my seven-episode mini-series: Covid 19: San Antonio Stories who its purpose was to share different perspectives and experiences of some personalities of our city during this Global Pandemic.
I’ve had the opportunity to collaborate with many local and international institutions like Forbes Magazine, Fox News, Kens 5, KSAT 12, The San Antonio Spurs, The Alamodome, The San Antonio Riverwalk, The Texas Fashion Industry, and many others.
In 2021, I released my first aerial photography exhibition: San Antonio: Perspectives from the Sky that was on display at UNAM San Antonio as part of the FOTOSEPTIEMBRE USA photography festival and that is about to be on display at the San Antonio Airport as well. In this exhibition, I show you, through amazing aerial pictures of San Antonio’s landmarks, that what you see depends not only on what you look at but where you are looking.
I continue flying my drones around the city, improving my gear, and investing in myself to get better but the most important thing is that I enjoy it, and I have fun while doing it. Using the unique perspective that aerial photography offers, I strive towards capturing these amazing views and showing that, as in life, there is more than one way to look at things.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I think there’s always a challenge, mainly with yourself you know? In the end, you are the one that builds barriers in your mind or opens big doors to go through and do it. During this process, I’ve learned that loving what you do makes everything better and also makes you affront the struggles smarter.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am a creative photographer and filmmaker that, with the use of drones, always tries to show a different perspective of things. I am specialized in aerial photography and video. I am proud of the city I live in (San Antonio, Texas), it’s a very friendly community and its heritage.
I love this feeling of a big city with little town vibes. That pride makes me have the feeling of sharing it with the people around, through my pictures and videos. I am also proud to be able to collaborate with very important institutions that, not being from my country, I think it has double merit.
I think that what sets me apart from others is, more than the quality of my work, that I enjoy what I’m doing. I’m friendly, with a big smile while filming of taking pictures, I’m a great listener always open to new ideas and to meet new people.
What do you like and dislike about the city?
The best I like is our friendly community and that feeling that you’re in a big city but at the same time, you realize a lot of people knows each other, a kind of little town vibe.
I don’t dislike anything about our city.
Contact Info:
- Email: zeckua@gmail.com
- Website: https://linktr.ee/SkylineDrone
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/skylinedronetx/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/skylinedronetx
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCn-khlJkNSo9qP8jL7s1Crw
- Other: https://www.pictorem.com/gallery/Skyline.Drone
Image Credits
Gabe Zeckua
