Meet Gabrielle Duffie | Photographer and Law Student

We had the good fortune of connecting with Gabrielle Duffie and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Gabrielle, have there been any changes in how you think about work-life balance?
When I began as a photographer, I wasn’t so deep into the art or consumed with other things that balance was an issue. As I moved forward in life, I graduated from my undergraduate college as a double major in Business and Philosophy and went on to continue my education by going to law school. As I got into my first semester of law school, work life balance became difficult. I went to school, worked part time, and even interned all at once in undergrad but it was no match for law school. Once I began on that path everything got harder and my discipline, as well as my will, were tested in ways they hadn’t been before. On top of that, I was growing as a photographer and working to hone & enhance my skills all while keeping up with a larger, more advanced academic workload. In addition, maintaining a healthy family and social life became tasks. In short, it has been hard.

I have struggled constantly, especially as my photography business grows, but the hardest part was wrestling with the fact photography is my solace amongst the seriousness of law school, but it also takes time away from my goals of completing school and graduating with a law degree. I now keep a more detailed schedule of the two and have to divide my time accordingly. I find that when I plan ahead it helps a lot. Currently, I allot time to school first (whether that be class time, studying, my internship, clinic, etc.) and I divide time within those categories. Then I see what’s left and typically reserve weekends for photography. Once school is officially over, I’ll proactively give more time to photography but for now balance is based on priority. School is my full time job and photography, as a business, is part time. I think about balance as first handling responsibilities, then being aware of the time that remains; the time I need for a healthy mental state; and assessing the line between solace and stress when adding anything additional onto my schedule.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My current career is being a student. I am a 3rd year law student set to graduate May 2022. What sets me apart from others is the dichotomy of my path: I am a law student with a business and philosophy background on the one hand and a photographer on the other. These paths are so different, and I don’t advertise that I do both. People have to ask. I typically separate these sides of myself but lately I’m starting to see how special the mix is together. It gives me a different perspective.

I am most proud of my growth in my faith. Law school has nearly torn me to shreds but now I see it all has happened for a reason. I was pushed to the edge so that I understand how important God is in the good times and the bad, the trials and the triumphs. Struggle has brought me closer to God and that’s priceless.

I landed in law school wanting to help people. I realize this can be done numerous ways but with society pushing more education as a requirement vs. a bonus when seeking a job, continuing my education was pushed on me. Law school was an avenue that isn’t well represented by a lot of people like me: minorities, specifically black people. It not only isn’t well-represented by people that look like me but black people are also most negatively affected by the law. So, I saw a need and I’m seeking to fill it, one way or another.

The lessons I have learned along the way are that God is primary and once you place Him first it’ll show. That doesn’t mean you’ll be without struggle but that you’ll be able to handle it, with His help. “7 The Lord your God has blessed you in all the work of your hands. He has watched over your journey through this vast wilderness. These forty years the Lord your God has been with you, and you have not lacked anything” (Deuteronomy 2:7).

I want the world to know it truly takes a village. My brand is professionalism, faith, and passion. My tagline for G. Duffie Photography is “Photography that fits your lifestyle” and with every shoot, every encounter I work to bring my best self so that I can help you see yours.

The goal: “When I shoot I want you to see the rawness of the scene, I want you to feel a sense of the mood I intended create, I want to offer perspective and at the same time assist in your journey for your own. In essence, I want my imagery to embolden you to see the world as it is & how you see it without hesitation and without regret.”

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I would take them to a coffee shop to start the day, likely Comeback Coffee, Vice & Virtue Coffee, or Muggin Coffeehouse. Then we would take a stroll in Harbor Town along riverside or Big River Crossing where we could see the whole Memphis skyline. Afterwards, we’d hit a brunch spot, maybe the Liquor Store or Automatic Slims. Next, would be a Museum, like the National Civil Rights Museum or the Blues Hall of Fame Museum to give a little Memphis History. Later, we may hit a chill kickback or dinner spot or the local art scene at Tone. My biggest suggestion when in Memphis is to venture beyond the ordinary because there’s so much extraordinary life and art and talent and love in this city.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would first like to thank God, without whom nothing I do would be possible. He gives me the resources, time, skill, determination, and creativity to pursue photography and be an artist. I also thank my parents who have provided the necessities in my life which has allowed me to work at and pay for the luxuries.

Mentor wise, I thank Antoine Lever for providing a space and offering his knowledge of photography, especially when it comes to studio photography, lighting set-ups, and business savvy as an entrepreneur. Inspiration wise, I wanna shout out Silas Vassar III for his work that has shaped a lot of how I color grade, style, and compose my images. I would like to shoutout my people, photographer/videographer Noah Stewart (aka @ShotOntheBlock) and THE model/photographer Carl Bledsoe Jr. for always being so down to earth, real, and aspiring for greater by simply building on their own body of work. Seeing them constantly move and advance in their respective areas of art keeps me motivated and reminds me we all move at our own pace and it’s important to remember that. It’s a marathon, not a sprint and you can run your own race and cheer others on too. Support wise, I’d like to thank photographer Elijah Rodney (@simbalic) for being a creative inspiration but also reminding me to believe in myself. Sometimes we look so far forward at the things we want and places we seek to be that we forget how far we’ve come. I appreciate him constantly reminding me that I’m a good photographer and that getting better just takes time and practice.

I’d like to thank Unapologetic, my family, that always pushes the limits and has shown me we can reach for the sky, the moon, and the stars. And last but not least, I would like to thank any and everyone that’s supported me and my endeavors in any way. Y’all’s support means more than you know.

Website: https://www.gduffiephoto.com/

Instagram: @gduffiephoto

Twitter: @gduffiephoto