Today we’d like to introduce you to Gabriela Oblitas.
Hi Gabriela, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstories with our readers?
Hello! I’m Gabriela Oblitas, owner of GRAPHICO (a combination of “Spanglish” Graphic-o), I was born and raised in Lima, Peru; but of Cajamarquina descent (perhaps that is why I value and enjoy the smell of firewood, the fresh air, and the beautiful combination between the sunset and the vegetation).
I am married to Jose (Puerto Rican), and I am grateful to him for accompanying me in this madness and illusion of mine; I have a beautiful son who drives me every day and two playful dogs Raymi (means “Celebration” in Quechua-Peruvian dialect) and Broki (informal way of saying “brother” in PR). From a very young age, I was attracted to art, photography, and design in general, my favorite courses were always Art, Drawing, and Mathematics.
I studied Architecture and a did diploma-course in Interior Design; and, at the same time, I was taking pictures and learning Photoshop on my own as a hobby.
In Peru, I worked as a clerk, and then I did my own Architecture projects. One of the main reasons I came to Texas was to continue studying Architecture and improve my English language. I never stopped taking photos, it can be said that photography has held a special place in my life. It means for me: Memories, Illusion, and Projection.
My second work goal was to create a company dedicated to design and photography, which I am also passionate about. In 2019, I began to mentalize and create how to make this illusion. That same year, I had the blessing of being a mother, they say that “a baby comes with bread under his arm since my ideas flowed better.
In 2020 the pandemic began, this made me live and share more time with my husband, my baby, and my dog, but it also made me miss my family in Peru more, since we were not going to be able to share important celebrations for a long time.
One day, it occurred to me to join in a single photograph of my parents, my sister, and my dog Inti (RIP) (who lives in Peru) with us who live in SA, TX, that way we would not be separated another year and we would be “united” for a “Magical Photography”, with the illusion of seeing each other again soon.
The more the time of the pandemic passed, people lost their loved ones and the illusion of people was also fading. Until then I had already found the way and the meaning of what I wanted to do. Create real and fictitious stories, in order to help somehow return the dimmed smiles to people who lost a loved one; children, or the inner child who could never realize his longed-for dream.
Convey them through photography, peace, joy, and illusion.
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?
Although it is true, that I started with all my strength in this business, I did not see the consequences that it could create in me. Since I researched, studied, and created day and night, and sometimes with dawn included, at the same time taking care of my baby who was a few months old, and trying to do some housework.
That caused me to go to the hospital 3 times, to reach the same conclusion as always, stress. I had to take 3 months off, but I never stopped researching and creating, always with a notebook and cell phone in hand to write down any design ideas that occurred to me. My son grew up (he became more independent), I rearranged my schedule, and from then on.
I strive and push myself because the best compliment or payment that clients can give me is when they feel satisfied and happy with the result of any of my services. I love it when they tell me that while we were taking their photos they felt confident or as a family, and that is what I want to get to, the more comfortable you feel, everything flows naturally and the results are the best.
Little by little I feel that I generate more trust in general, especially when the clients themselves are my best recommendation.
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 treat each photography as if it were a work of art, I love taking photos and editing with Photoshop. Every job I do, I do it with a lot of love and patience, I don’t like to lose a single detail. Services are aimed at the general public; they are for any occasion or event and pets are welcome of course.
The main idea of doing “Magic Photography” is to create a unique and creative design for each of my clients, I work with my own digital backgrounds and with a selection of tools and backgrounds from the best artists so that the result is magical (I can work with your own photography or can be taken by us).
If it is about doing a Photoshoot, I always study a little about my client, the place where the photos will be taken, and the theme of what the Session will be (I think of some poses and shots that can work between the concept, the place, and the person).
To all this, I always try to make the client feel as comfortable as possible, so that the poses and expressions come out as natural as possible, but above all, they feel satisfied not only with the result of the photography but also with the experience lived in the Photoshoot.
If you had to, what characteristic of yours would you give the most credit to?
A few of many characteristics are being responsible, honest, polite, and being the most professional person you can be with each and every client you have.
Always be open to suggestions and ideas from the client and try to deliver the best experience you can give to them, and more importantly, it is to elaborate a unique work since each client is different and special.
Pricing:
- Magical Photo (with your own photography) range from $35
- Magical Photo (taken by us) range from $59
- Photoshoots range from $115
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/artbygraphico/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/artbygraphico
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@artbygraphico
Image Credits
Graphico
