One of the many advantages of having a Twitter account is that you constantly discover new amazing things. In this case I found about Shoot Me 10 Times – a project where once a month 10 female photographers from around the globe share their artistic points of view on a single subject. One of the creative minds behind this awesome project is Gema {who’s Latina by the way! you go girl} a “very dreamy, passionate woman” with a keen eye for photography. She pretty much takes girl power to a whole ‘nother level.
To feed my voracious creative hunger, I went ahead and contacted Gema and guess what? Here’s a little interview for you folks, featuring Gema and her favorite pics from Shoot Me 10 Times
Gema: At first I had a vision of it, and then it became a project. I started creating drafts and decided to talk about it to Kamila Pinto, a young and very talented Chilean photographer, who I met some time ago on Facebook. Since the very beginning we had a good connection on both artistic and personal levels, we knew each other works in-depth and also shared a mutual admiration. Therefore, when I was ready to start, I asked if she was interested on joining the project of “Shoot me 10 times” and make it a reality together, I’m happy she immediately answered “Yes!” and next thing I knew, we were already working together.
Fatma Gulteking
Gema: I was being driven by the need of expanding my creative capacities, I wanted to improve my photography skills and to strengthen my artistic identity. I started having the idea to join a photography project, but none of the ones that I found, captivated my attention, so that was the moment when I first got the idea of creating one on my own. The vision behind it, came to mind almost at the same time, which was “to create a space where photographers from different countries around the world, could share on a monthly basis, their artistic points of view on a subject”. It immediately sounded like a project I would join, the one I had been searching for.
Kamila Pinto Keith
Gema: Our goal is to reach in a 10 month period (first season of the project), a portfolio composed of 200 pictures -20 per month-. Additionally, we hope that many people can feel connected and inspired by it, and why not? be a contribution to the vision of women in photography nowadays.
- Cecilia Colombara
Gab: You most rewarding moment during this project?
Gema: Among many, I’d choose the day we launched the project. After months of lots of effort and preparations, the idea would finally see the light of day, I was so excited!!!. I already knew about many people who were anxiously expecting our first series. The response was immediate, very positive and overwhelming.
There was also this thing with the process of our second series “World is moving: How to feel at home in a strange place”. The theme was chosen by our dear member Laura Feliz. Laura is a Spanish photographer, and such as myself, she also decided to migrate from her home country, when I read her theme, I felt immediately connected and inspired by it. The first picture I chose for this particular series, shows a girl laying on a forest with her eyes closed, surrounded by pictures and holding one of them in her hand. This was for sure, the most personal interpretation I’ve done for a theme until now, and it was secretly dedicated to my family. A couple of days later, I phoned one of my sisters in Chile, and she told me that she had got tears in her eyes when she saw that particular picture.
“Shoot me 10 times” has been a big and constant challenge for me since the very beginning, not only as a director for the project, but also as a photographer since I’m constantly thinking about new ideas that can take it to a different level, each and every single month – just like my colleagues- I put a lot of effort and energy on my pictures. Communication with the other members has been excellent, and I think they’re also glad with the work that Kamila and myself have been doing on and for the project. I personally feel extremely luck to have them as part of this collective. “Shoot me 10 times” has in every way surpassed my expectations.
Beatrix Jourdan
Gab: And the final, most intriguing question of all –Who is Gema?
Gema: Ha-ha! the toughest question comes always at the end!. I’ll say Gema is -above anything else- a very dreamy and passionate woman. I was born in Chile and moved on my own to Paris at the age of 21, right after I finished my studies on Business and Administration. Leaving Chile, was for sure the hardest choice and biggest challenge I faced back then. Leaving my family and roots behind had a big impact in my life and it wasn’t an easy path to walk on, but it was surely a very rich one. I learned so much about myself and what is really important in life.
It was on this process of re-finding myself when I came across the most important elements of my current life: Love and photography :). Both of them have been growing on me like a snowball ever since. A couple of years ago I moved to The Netherlands for good, I love the country, its people and I feel very well connected with its culture. Plus, I have the great opportunity to work as a freelance photographer: I feel I am a really lucky person.
Julie De Waroquier
Oh the joys of creativity. Wasn’t that freaking delightful?! Yes sir!! THANK YOU Gema for sharing these beautiful pictures and letting us get a little taste of your project and awesome personality.
Dudes, I know you are still hungry for a few more shots from Shoot Me 10 Times, so here, have a 2nd serving:
Gema Perez
Laura Feliz
Charlotte Rutherford
Cari Aan
Anna Morosini
Shoot Me 10 Times – Site, Facebook, Twitter
Help her spread the love!
Un abrazo Gema!
Emad says
Nice!
The Gbox says
She’s awesome, right? Thanks for popping by
DL says
I like the red balloon photo. With the name like “shoot me ten times” I expected something more like Quentin Tarantino. It’s surprisingly dreamy…..
The Gbox says
I know the name of the project is quite catchy. And yes, loving the red balloons too :)
leelette says
Fun post! Photos were great, and what a fun-read interview. Nice!