Gabriella Dimitrova: If I lose the magic, I lose the meaning

Who is Gabriella Dimitrova?

I met Gabby on a trip. Beautiful girl with red hair and a lot of freckles. But that’s not impressive. You know, there is this type of people with boiling energy and presence, and carrying a spirit within them … with a duende.

We will still hear about her!

I will let you touch Gabby’s soul through the interview below;)

Imagine that you can choose a superpower. What would it be like?

When I think about it, I would most like to be invisible, at least in certain situations. Imagine how many unexpected stories in photos will appear, real and casual. Very often the human presence influenceс the emotions at a given moment. It is important for a photographer to be invisible from time to time.

You become part of the stories of the people you shoot. And what is your story? Who is Gabby?

Gabby is the girl with freckles and red hair. She loves a lot and adnd she loves everything!

Her story is colorful and somehow childishly real. I can’t miss the story of Alfredo, because that is the best way to answer that question.

So, once at an airport, I met Alfredo. Dressed in white, a red hat with a visor, glasses and the most energetic smile I’ve ever seen. Alfredo, coming from Mexico, had set out for Sofia in search of adventure. In seconds he managed to strike up a conversation with me … He took my hand and said:

“Do you see this big freckle? From today it will be called Alfredo! Remember it!” Alfredo grinned sunnyly and added breathlessly.

– “To be happy you have to be part of someone’s story! Now I am part of yours, you will tell it and I will be happy.”

Now I look at “Alfredo” on my hand and I think how happy I should be, becoming a part of the stories of so many people every day.

How did you start with photography? What does it give you and what does it mean to you? What are you burning at, Gabby?

I think photography found me. It all started at school with the opening of a course for beginner photographers. This was and remains the most important step in writing the next pages of my story. Then I was not only a beginner photographer, I was a beginner in discovering a whole new world. Photography for me, this is me, it is my strength and my passion. When I create, I burn in light and love, I burn in truth. The point is to find your way, and photography paints mine.

What does the world look like through your eyes?

Colorful! My world is an endless rainbow. A world in which there is love, it carries a soul, warms people, creates priceless memories and leaves a trace.

Tell us your best childhood memories and show us a picture of you.

Gabby as a child I have so much, it’s hard for me to choose. I was a sunny, rebellious being, always with my own opinion and vision of the world. It seems to be the same to this day hahaha… I remember my first portrait session! Maybe I was about 10-13 years old, we had guests at home and I had to come up with a game for the girl in my room. Interestingly, no one explained anything to me about photography. I proudly took the ironing board, stretched out a shameless patterned blanket, positioned the child in front of it, along with a red telephone, and began taking pictures with my then-favorite skina. Every time I look at these photos and I can’t believe how long I’ve been carrying this desire, to take pictures and see the person in front of me.

If I lose the magic, I lose the meaning

Dream a little! What is your boldest dream related to photography?

My boldest dream is to keep my attitude towards photography as it has always been. For three years now, photography has become a part of my life as a profession. I created my first studio with a lot of desire, work, love and some fears. I most boldly dream of one day avoiding the moment when your passion turns into work alone. If I lose the magic, I lose the meaning.

Are you working on any personal projects at the moment and would you share something about it?

When you work with commercial projects, your focus changes more or less and sometimes there is no time left to recreate what is inside you. Whenever I feel that I have gone in this direction, I try to set myself creative tasks. I am currently planning a project that will largely challenge me as a person, along with my skills. If everything goes according to plan, I envisage a possible exhibition related to the project. But unfortunately I still can’t reveal more information. If you are interested, you can follow what is happening around me.

Where do you look for and find inspiration?

I find inspiration in everything. Starting with people’s footsteps and ending with cigarette smoke. From children’s laughter to bitter tears. I am inspired by touch, by smell, by the real things. Because photography teaches me not only to look, but also to see.

What is the best piece of advice you have ever received?

“Don’t stop listening to your heart” !

Who is the photographer you admire most? Why? Which is your favourite picture from his/her portfolio and why?

Yana Peneva and Lyubomir Sergeev! I mention these names because they make me love and believe in what I do even more. The way in which Yana Peneva manages to paint memories and retell people’s stories is unique, and listening to Lyubomir Sergeev talk about inspiration and art, creates in me an even stronger desire to discover new worlds. I avoid selecting certain photos. The photographer is the one who creates, he carries the magic along with all his work.

How does your day start?

With a smile and hot coffee. I’m not one to get up early, I never learned. I like to plan my day in advance, although it often turns out to be much more chaotic than expected. There is a charm in trying to control the chaos in your mind.

What makes you smile?

People who are not too close to me believe that I am always smiling and happy. I am built of positivism. The smile in me can be caused by anything and everyone, as long as it comes from something real. As cliché as it sounds, the little things are important.