Gabrielle Orcutt is both a model and a photographer. She has been with DAFP since our premier event in May 2014. She is interviewed here by group founder Midian Spectra. Midian: Your original photography name, and now the name for your modeling page, is Monroe Files. Where did that come from? Gabby: When I first started out, I didn't want to go with my name as I wasn't quite married to Scott. I wasn't sure what genre of photography I wanted to photograph which lead me to choosing a name that wasn't specific. (Like "Pure Photography" what if I wanted to photograph VS angels? Not sure that's totally pure there....or shoot for Playboy...because Playboy! Pure ain't gonna work, ya'll!) |
I am Marilynn Monroe obsessed...so Monroe and I wanted something a little curious/mysterious and settled on files. Monroe Files was born. I stuck with that name until 2013. At that point I felt I had a firm footing in what I wanted to photograph and branding. My photography voice and editing style had evolved leaps and bounds at this point as well. Transformation.
I still have the majority of my social media handles as Monroe Files and my old website is still under http://monroefiles.blogspot.com/ where you can see all my old work :P It was a natural progression to use it as my Modeling name.
M: lol, in my head it had something to do with X-Files! What do you find to be the biggest challenge in working with models from behind the camera?
G: That may have had a -slight- influence, but I was never into the X-Files fandom.
Animatronics. It's hard to get a model to move ever so slightly without them resetting other body parts. There are times when I have to start back at zero and guide them into the pose...sometimes this goes on for 4-5 rounds.
M: What is the biggest challenge in being a model?
G: When working with inexperienced photographers, I find it hard to turn off my posing habits. Anyone can take photos of someone who knows how to work their angles and is aware of the lighting. A photographer grows leaps and bounds by working with an inexperienced model. I love to teach others and feel like me modeling is not always the most beneficial for a photographer looking to grow their skill set.
M: What do you think having modeled yourself does for your photography?
G: I feel ALL THE FEELS that my clients go through! Picking out outfit pieces, make up, hair...gah...HAIR.
I will say, that after being in front of the camera a couple dozen times, I no longer get "bubble guts" or butterflies of nervous/anxiety.
M: Do you prefer to model or photograph? Why?
G: Ooooh. This is 50-50. I love to photograph because I love showing others their unique divine light that they can't see. #awesomebombyouare
I like to model because I love to feel that confidence boost from images and also see how other people see me. Plus it's SO FUN to dress up. Oh. I don't have to edit my own photos #winning
M: hahahahaha, I like to see how everyone edits and sees things differently, too! What would be your dream photoshoot? Would you rather model or photograph for it?
G: Taking my camera to Burning Man. That would be an indescribable experience. Not to mention the creative and spiritual beings you'd meet during your week in the desert sand. The elements would be quite taxing, but the experience once in a life time. The city in the sand is brought in by everyone in attendance (roughly 15K+) and NOTHING is left behind. There are performers of all kinds, killer fashion, crazy embellished cars and a wooden man that they set ablaze the last night they are there. You live for the night life and it's incredible.
M: I'd be terrified that my camera wouldn't survive that experience and the desert!
G: I'd rent a camera and pay the extra on insurance. :P
M: What has been your favorite shoot you’ve done to date?
G: So many. There are SO many shoots that come to mind as a favorite! In 2016? Bah. It's a toss up between The Traveling Dress project ( a gown that is traveling the world, photographed by a different photographer every 3-4 days and all images go into a book with a display at PPA [Professional Photographers of America] at the commencement of the adventure, and proceeds benefit Operation Smile. The other one is getting two lovely ladies to run away with my creative brain: one very pale, the other very dark skinned, both topless, and I photographed them from the waist up with both sets of arms draped around the woman in the front. The contrast in skin is breathtakingly beautiful. I am so thankful to live in a world where we are all different and can't be recreated.
Favorite photoshoot of all time: Photographing a live birth. It makes my heart sing. I am such a baby obsessed woman, from the time I was old enough to learn to love babies. It's a huge part of my heart to be able to experience such an intimate and incredible journey for a woman to birth her baby out of the womb to Earthside.
M: Wow! I didn't even know you'd done that! That's so awesome!!
G: That was a year after [my daughter] Lily was born. Sadly, I can't find anyone willing to pay for it. Yet. :P It's very difficult for a first time mom to be open to the idea of birth photos. Sigh. #breakthenorm
M: hahaha, well, Mom doesn't always look so great during that.
G: No. But it really isn't about Mom (sorrrrry!!) lol
M: I think you'd probably have to be close enough with someone to feel OK with them seeing you that vulnerable. I can't imagine anything more intimate.
G: I don't get crowning shots. Obvs. Hospitals don't allow it. I walk through all scenarios and discuss what they are comfortable with and not comfortable with before going into it. They can change their mind at any time.
Since i have also photographed for Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep (remembrance photography for moms not bringing home their newborn baby and were given angel wings)...I feel I'm decently prepared for whatever life throws at us. Maternity isn't always smiles and sunshine. sadly.
M: I would never be able to do that. I'm tearing up just thinking about it. :( You are a brave lady to help those mamas out. <3
G: It's heart wrenching work. But there's such a call to serve when your abilities to photograph their child will be above and beyond anything they would get from a point and shoot or cell phone camera. this is their ONE CHANCE at lovely photographs. I have heard from other mothers and grandmothers that had lost a child/grandchild and had wished they had known about/called the organization. The services are provided free of charge. We are fortunate in DuBois that the maternity ward works seamlessly with the organization and has a lot of items there to provide a great experience despite the circumstances and mom leaves with a lot of mementos. :( <3
M: Did you go to school for photography? When did you decide you wanted to be a photographer?
G: I did not go to school for photography. I knew going into college that I wanted to be a photographer and I refused to go after a degree in photography. If this is my one shot at college (tuition is expensiveeeee), I was going for business. I started at [PennState DuBois] with my major declared [as] accounting. It wasn't until I transferred to PSU Main Campus in State College that I quickly realized: I can do accounting. I understand accounting. The course pace is too fast. I am not energized and loving accounting. I did one semester of accounting at main, dropped the accounting class after the first third of the semester, and switched to marketing. LOVE marketing...mostly advertising and statistics (of all things!)
The main reason I decided not to go to school for photography was because the internet was overflowing with awesome photographers that are self taught (Jasmine Star being a big influence here....she didn't learn to read until she was in her teens!) I also felt that the images photography grads were creating were very stale and cookie cutter.
M: What do you think is your signature style? What would you call it or how would you describe it?
G: Multifaceted. Clean, timeless edits for traditional portrait sessions (pregnancy, newborn, glamour, boudoir). Moody, dark, intriguing for the cosplay, weird and zany.
I am an extremely emotional being. It bleeds into my work. More so on passion projects than client work. It's a cyclical adventure and I know what I was feeling at the time I was photographing each session.
M: Your long red hair is kind of a signature thing. When was the last time you cut it?
G: HAHAHAHA BEST QUESTION :P It was last trimmed September of 2015, like half an inch was taken off. Last time I chopped it? January 2010 when I was 5 months pregnant with Lily. I wanted it shoulder length and she ended up cutting off more and it was a bob to the nape of my neck. I couldn't pull it up. I was...ok. I walked in the door, mind you I had it cut like 3 hours before we left for a wedding we were invited to, and Scott [my husband] looked at me and said "WHOA...that is SHORT." Never chopped it since. My hair has been growing since 2010....that's 6 years, ya'll.
PS. I've had the pixie cut TWICE. 10th grade and again in college. Liked it the first time, HATED it the second time
OH. and my natural hair color is blonde!
M: I can't even imagine you blonde!! Red is so you!
G: Yes. Even my own mother digs up pictures of me with blonde hair and she's like WHO is that girl?! lol
M: That's hilarious! I always figured it was kind of red and you just wanted it redder! What was your first experience with modeling?
G: First experience modeling was gathering my bridesmaids after the bridal shower to do a trash the prom dress adventure around Rockton. SO MUCH FUN!!! And afterwards we went out for my bachelorette party. Full day of girlie fun!
M: What are your other passions? That you want the world to know about, heehee.
G: Pregnancy, birth, babies, breast feeding, postpartum....assisting women through all of those transitions. Helping women pick their self up, dust off and get back in the saddle again. Finding their confidence, gaining self love and acceptance. You are enough. I will be unrolling a coaching arm to my business for ladies who are TTC [trying to conceive], already pregnant and through postpartum. This also benefits mom's who feel like they are trying to find who they are now that they are done having children and the kids are getting ready to start their own life as they spread their wings to leave the nest.
If you said obsessions: mermaids, Game of thrones, tulle....lots of tulle, all the yoga leggings, Star Wars, Justin Timberlake, Nutella...with a spoon.
M: Ahhhhh! I think that's a wonderful idea! I can't wait to see it develop!
G: Yes, SUPER excited!! I'm currently working on the intro to photography class. I have 12 plates spinning on straws here...ha!
M: Where you do you find inspiration?
G: In all the things. It can be a song, an email received, the way the light peeks through the trees at sunset, a piece of clothing, memes. ALL THE THINGS.
I was told by another photographer out of Pittsburgh that "Everything is a prop". True. But I take it one step further, "Everything is inspiration....if you are open to it finding you."
M: What advice would you give aspiring photographers?
G: Gobble up as much education as you can. You will never know it allllll. I am STILL learning. Which is why I love to sit in groups/events/workshops that center around photography. The teacher is also the student.
You will think your images are awesome in the beginning because you are SO EXCITED YOU HAVE A DSLR CAMERA. And all this energy and excitement of future potential. Then you will jump into learning and shooting. Then realize everything you've taken up to this point are complete shit. You will take photos and be so excited. Then you start culling them and beat yourself up over how much you suck. So you quit editing and sleep on it...maybe for days. Then you come back to it and think it isn't that bad...until you are tired of editing and you start slipping into feeling bad again. So you sleep on it. Again. Return to editing to churn them out. Only after fully analyzing how "I should have had them look this way." "I should have moved to the left a few steps." "I can't believe I cut off their ear." Then forget about them. And return to them months, sometimes years later and find the diamonds in the rough and see how much potential you had all along.
Being a creative being is not for the faint of heart. You will love and hate your work more times than you can count. But at the end of the day, you have to be able to find your joy...that spark that lights you up...and keeps you coming back.
M: Do you prefer studio or location shooting as a photographer? As a model?
G: As a model I have no preference. At all.
As a photographer, it depends on the TIME of the shoot. I despise shooting midday sun. I much prefer the 2-2.5 hours after sunrise/before sunset. it's dreamy enchanting light. If I have clients outside of that time frame, I prefer studio.
M: What or who do you think has influenced your work most?
G: Hands down Sue Bryce. The woman has reinvented herself multiple times. No college degree and she has her studio booked out 3-4 months in advance. She's empower a FLOCK of photographers to charge what they are worth, elevate their game and send positive vibes out into the world. She started her career as a retoucher in a film studio in the 80's. Then moved to shooting film. Worked with the first version of Photoshop (and it was rudimentary!) and then had to relearn everything in the digital world. She left the studio she was working for to start her own venture and racked up debt and had $5 to her name. She is now a 6-7 figure glamour photographer.
M: How do you find balance between your work and your home life? Does having a home studio make this easier or more difficult?
G: It's a constant juggle. If I have photography work that needs done I either burn the midnight oil (like I am now!) or get up with my husband at 4:45am during the week and crank it out.
Having a home studio makes it much easier, as I am not loading and unloading the car plus travel time.
M: What can a model do to prepare to work well with a photographer?
G: If the photographer hasn't already prepped the model, don't hesitate to ask the photographer any questions. Open communication will create better images.
If you have all that out on the table: RELAX. If that means you need to get a message...here's your permission slip.
M: Do you like to play music during a shoot? What kind?
G: Yes, but not required. I find it helps relax the model and puts them at ease. Model chooses.
M: And lastly, if you were a bird, what would you be?
G: Sparrow: http://www.symbolic-meanings.com/2007/08/22/message-of-the-sparrow-symbolic-meaning-of-sparrows/
I'm sure you will see why when you read through that article :P I have found more sparrow feathers than any other feather in the last 2 years.
M: That's definitely you!
G: Yes, to a "T"! lol
I still have the majority of my social media handles as Monroe Files and my old website is still under http://monroefiles.blogspot.com/ where you can see all my old work :P It was a natural progression to use it as my Modeling name.
M: lol, in my head it had something to do with X-Files! What do you find to be the biggest challenge in working with models from behind the camera?
G: That may have had a -slight- influence, but I was never into the X-Files fandom.
Animatronics. It's hard to get a model to move ever so slightly without them resetting other body parts. There are times when I have to start back at zero and guide them into the pose...sometimes this goes on for 4-5 rounds.
M: What is the biggest challenge in being a model?
G: When working with inexperienced photographers, I find it hard to turn off my posing habits. Anyone can take photos of someone who knows how to work their angles and is aware of the lighting. A photographer grows leaps and bounds by working with an inexperienced model. I love to teach others and feel like me modeling is not always the most beneficial for a photographer looking to grow their skill set.
M: What do you think having modeled yourself does for your photography?
G: I feel ALL THE FEELS that my clients go through! Picking out outfit pieces, make up, hair...gah...HAIR.
I will say, that after being in front of the camera a couple dozen times, I no longer get "bubble guts" or butterflies of nervous/anxiety.
M: Do you prefer to model or photograph? Why?
G: Ooooh. This is 50-50. I love to photograph because I love showing others their unique divine light that they can't see. #awesomebombyouare
I like to model because I love to feel that confidence boost from images and also see how other people see me. Plus it's SO FUN to dress up. Oh. I don't have to edit my own photos #winning
M: hahahahaha, I like to see how everyone edits and sees things differently, too! What would be your dream photoshoot? Would you rather model or photograph for it?
G: Taking my camera to Burning Man. That would be an indescribable experience. Not to mention the creative and spiritual beings you'd meet during your week in the desert sand. The elements would be quite taxing, but the experience once in a life time. The city in the sand is brought in by everyone in attendance (roughly 15K+) and NOTHING is left behind. There are performers of all kinds, killer fashion, crazy embellished cars and a wooden man that they set ablaze the last night they are there. You live for the night life and it's incredible.
M: I'd be terrified that my camera wouldn't survive that experience and the desert!
G: I'd rent a camera and pay the extra on insurance. :P
M: What has been your favorite shoot you’ve done to date?
G: So many. There are SO many shoots that come to mind as a favorite! In 2016? Bah. It's a toss up between The Traveling Dress project ( a gown that is traveling the world, photographed by a different photographer every 3-4 days and all images go into a book with a display at PPA [Professional Photographers of America] at the commencement of the adventure, and proceeds benefit Operation Smile. The other one is getting two lovely ladies to run away with my creative brain: one very pale, the other very dark skinned, both topless, and I photographed them from the waist up with both sets of arms draped around the woman in the front. The contrast in skin is breathtakingly beautiful. I am so thankful to live in a world where we are all different and can't be recreated.
Favorite photoshoot of all time: Photographing a live birth. It makes my heart sing. I am such a baby obsessed woman, from the time I was old enough to learn to love babies. It's a huge part of my heart to be able to experience such an intimate and incredible journey for a woman to birth her baby out of the womb to Earthside.
M: Wow! I didn't even know you'd done that! That's so awesome!!
G: That was a year after [my daughter] Lily was born. Sadly, I can't find anyone willing to pay for it. Yet. :P It's very difficult for a first time mom to be open to the idea of birth photos. Sigh. #breakthenorm
M: hahaha, well, Mom doesn't always look so great during that.
G: No. But it really isn't about Mom (sorrrrry!!) lol
M: I think you'd probably have to be close enough with someone to feel OK with them seeing you that vulnerable. I can't imagine anything more intimate.
G: I don't get crowning shots. Obvs. Hospitals don't allow it. I walk through all scenarios and discuss what they are comfortable with and not comfortable with before going into it. They can change their mind at any time.
Since i have also photographed for Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep (remembrance photography for moms not bringing home their newborn baby and were given angel wings)...I feel I'm decently prepared for whatever life throws at us. Maternity isn't always smiles and sunshine. sadly.
M: I would never be able to do that. I'm tearing up just thinking about it. :( You are a brave lady to help those mamas out. <3
G: It's heart wrenching work. But there's such a call to serve when your abilities to photograph their child will be above and beyond anything they would get from a point and shoot or cell phone camera. this is their ONE CHANCE at lovely photographs. I have heard from other mothers and grandmothers that had lost a child/grandchild and had wished they had known about/called the organization. The services are provided free of charge. We are fortunate in DuBois that the maternity ward works seamlessly with the organization and has a lot of items there to provide a great experience despite the circumstances and mom leaves with a lot of mementos. :( <3
M: Did you go to school for photography? When did you decide you wanted to be a photographer?
G: I did not go to school for photography. I knew going into college that I wanted to be a photographer and I refused to go after a degree in photography. If this is my one shot at college (tuition is expensiveeeee), I was going for business. I started at [PennState DuBois] with my major declared [as] accounting. It wasn't until I transferred to PSU Main Campus in State College that I quickly realized: I can do accounting. I understand accounting. The course pace is too fast. I am not energized and loving accounting. I did one semester of accounting at main, dropped the accounting class after the first third of the semester, and switched to marketing. LOVE marketing...mostly advertising and statistics (of all things!)
The main reason I decided not to go to school for photography was because the internet was overflowing with awesome photographers that are self taught (Jasmine Star being a big influence here....she didn't learn to read until she was in her teens!) I also felt that the images photography grads were creating were very stale and cookie cutter.
M: What do you think is your signature style? What would you call it or how would you describe it?
G: Multifaceted. Clean, timeless edits for traditional portrait sessions (pregnancy, newborn, glamour, boudoir). Moody, dark, intriguing for the cosplay, weird and zany.
I am an extremely emotional being. It bleeds into my work. More so on passion projects than client work. It's a cyclical adventure and I know what I was feeling at the time I was photographing each session.
M: Your long red hair is kind of a signature thing. When was the last time you cut it?
G: HAHAHAHA BEST QUESTION :P It was last trimmed September of 2015, like half an inch was taken off. Last time I chopped it? January 2010 when I was 5 months pregnant with Lily. I wanted it shoulder length and she ended up cutting off more and it was a bob to the nape of my neck. I couldn't pull it up. I was...ok. I walked in the door, mind you I had it cut like 3 hours before we left for a wedding we were invited to, and Scott [my husband] looked at me and said "WHOA...that is SHORT." Never chopped it since. My hair has been growing since 2010....that's 6 years, ya'll.
PS. I've had the pixie cut TWICE. 10th grade and again in college. Liked it the first time, HATED it the second time
OH. and my natural hair color is blonde!
M: I can't even imagine you blonde!! Red is so you!
G: Yes. Even my own mother digs up pictures of me with blonde hair and she's like WHO is that girl?! lol
M: That's hilarious! I always figured it was kind of red and you just wanted it redder! What was your first experience with modeling?
G: First experience modeling was gathering my bridesmaids after the bridal shower to do a trash the prom dress adventure around Rockton. SO MUCH FUN!!! And afterwards we went out for my bachelorette party. Full day of girlie fun!
M: What are your other passions? That you want the world to know about, heehee.
G: Pregnancy, birth, babies, breast feeding, postpartum....assisting women through all of those transitions. Helping women pick their self up, dust off and get back in the saddle again. Finding their confidence, gaining self love and acceptance. You are enough. I will be unrolling a coaching arm to my business for ladies who are TTC [trying to conceive], already pregnant and through postpartum. This also benefits mom's who feel like they are trying to find who they are now that they are done having children and the kids are getting ready to start their own life as they spread their wings to leave the nest.
If you said obsessions: mermaids, Game of thrones, tulle....lots of tulle, all the yoga leggings, Star Wars, Justin Timberlake, Nutella...with a spoon.
M: Ahhhhh! I think that's a wonderful idea! I can't wait to see it develop!
G: Yes, SUPER excited!! I'm currently working on the intro to photography class. I have 12 plates spinning on straws here...ha!
M: Where you do you find inspiration?
G: In all the things. It can be a song, an email received, the way the light peeks through the trees at sunset, a piece of clothing, memes. ALL THE THINGS.
I was told by another photographer out of Pittsburgh that "Everything is a prop". True. But I take it one step further, "Everything is inspiration....if you are open to it finding you."
M: What advice would you give aspiring photographers?
G: Gobble up as much education as you can. You will never know it allllll. I am STILL learning. Which is why I love to sit in groups/events/workshops that center around photography. The teacher is also the student.
You will think your images are awesome in the beginning because you are SO EXCITED YOU HAVE A DSLR CAMERA. And all this energy and excitement of future potential. Then you will jump into learning and shooting. Then realize everything you've taken up to this point are complete shit. You will take photos and be so excited. Then you start culling them and beat yourself up over how much you suck. So you quit editing and sleep on it...maybe for days. Then you come back to it and think it isn't that bad...until you are tired of editing and you start slipping into feeling bad again. So you sleep on it. Again. Return to editing to churn them out. Only after fully analyzing how "I should have had them look this way." "I should have moved to the left a few steps." "I can't believe I cut off their ear." Then forget about them. And return to them months, sometimes years later and find the diamonds in the rough and see how much potential you had all along.
Being a creative being is not for the faint of heart. You will love and hate your work more times than you can count. But at the end of the day, you have to be able to find your joy...that spark that lights you up...and keeps you coming back.
M: Do you prefer studio or location shooting as a photographer? As a model?
G: As a model I have no preference. At all.
As a photographer, it depends on the TIME of the shoot. I despise shooting midday sun. I much prefer the 2-2.5 hours after sunrise/before sunset. it's dreamy enchanting light. If I have clients outside of that time frame, I prefer studio.
M: What or who do you think has influenced your work most?
G: Hands down Sue Bryce. The woman has reinvented herself multiple times. No college degree and she has her studio booked out 3-4 months in advance. She's empower a FLOCK of photographers to charge what they are worth, elevate their game and send positive vibes out into the world. She started her career as a retoucher in a film studio in the 80's. Then moved to shooting film. Worked with the first version of Photoshop (and it was rudimentary!) and then had to relearn everything in the digital world. She left the studio she was working for to start her own venture and racked up debt and had $5 to her name. She is now a 6-7 figure glamour photographer.
M: How do you find balance between your work and your home life? Does having a home studio make this easier or more difficult?
G: It's a constant juggle. If I have photography work that needs done I either burn the midnight oil (like I am now!) or get up with my husband at 4:45am during the week and crank it out.
Having a home studio makes it much easier, as I am not loading and unloading the car plus travel time.
M: What can a model do to prepare to work well with a photographer?
G: If the photographer hasn't already prepped the model, don't hesitate to ask the photographer any questions. Open communication will create better images.
If you have all that out on the table: RELAX. If that means you need to get a message...here's your permission slip.
M: Do you like to play music during a shoot? What kind?
G: Yes, but not required. I find it helps relax the model and puts them at ease. Model chooses.
M: And lastly, if you were a bird, what would you be?
G: Sparrow: http://www.symbolic-meanings.com/2007/08/22/message-of-the-sparrow-symbolic-meaning-of-sparrows/
I'm sure you will see why when you read through that article :P I have found more sparrow feathers than any other feather in the last 2 years.
M: That's definitely you!
G: Yes, to a "T"! lol