Today we’d like to introduce you to Natalie Colunga.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Natalie. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
How does one start? Or where? I’ve been alive for 33 years. Do we have time? Lol. I guess let’s say that for as long as I can remember I’ve always been interested in creating. And at the age of 17 (2003), I created life. My biggest accomplishment but not my definition. I was young and absolutely not sure of what I was doing. But one thing I knew to be certain was I wanted to be a Photographer. So, I went to college to pursue my dreams. Somewhere in the middle of school, I realized I didn’t want to walk out with so much debt(cause art school is costly). So, I took a Sales job (2005). That paid well. And allowed me to live a comfortable life in Santa Barbara. But somewhere in between saying yes to the job and the 2008 recession. I let go of photography. I allowed the voices of people to make me forget who I was. I had to take care of my family. I’m a mom, I can’t be pursuing dreams. I have priorities. Blah blah blah. I worked at that job in Santa Barbara for a little over 6 years. When something told me to go back home. You’re not ok here. So, I quickly set up a transfer to a new location and in two weeks, I was back in sunny San Diego (2012). I was so excited to be in a new place. I thought it was going to fix all the things that felt wrong because I really thought I was just bored and missed my family.
Well, three weeks into being at that new location, we got robbed at gunpoint. I had a gun pointed at me. As calm as I was while it happened. The after effects were beyond what I knew. I remember driving home that day and thinking wtf am I doing. If that was how I was going to go would it have been worth it? I found myself in a place where I was really unhappy. I couldn’t figure out how I got from believing I could be one the best photographers to just settling on life. My whole life, I’ve fought my depression. But after that day it would just kick in more and more. Because every day I went to a job I wasn’t willing to die doing. So, one day, I did the unthinkable (2013). I swallowed some pills all because I just hated who I was. As much as I knew it wasn’t the right way to take control of being who I was. I wouldn’t change it. That decision forced me to get help. The decision led to being diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder and Bipolar (I was diagnosed with Sever depression when I was 15) I’m still uncertain about it all but I’m not the doctor. Lol. And all of a sudden, life made sense. I always knew why I was sad but I now knew why to all the other questions too. Those days in the hospital, I replayed my life choices and one that came to me was the one when I took the job in Santa Barbara. I remembered telling myself. Whatever you do Natalie, just don’t be in this chapter past 30 years old. “You only took that job as an in-between thing why did you let it take over your life?”
So, after the hospital, I started to just not take work so seriously. I started to talk about doing photography again. So, I bought new equipment. Saved up some money. And two years later (2015), I left a company that I devoted almost 9 years too. (Ohhh and slowly took myself off pharmaceuticals and looked at a more holistic way to care for me. I’m a big supporter of the Green Movement) I let go of what I thought I should be doing and did what I wanted. I started believing in myself. I decided I wanted my son to see his mom not settling but striving for more. I wanted to be the person who he could be proud of. I didn’t have a clue what I was going to do but I had faith that I didn’t need to know. My best friend (a medium @colourgypsy) told me to stop letting my ego dictate me. I just had to trust and believe in myself. And come on, if my friend can open up to the world that she’s a medium and turn it into a business. Why was I really scared?
So, I started photographing everywhere and everything. I decided to take road trips. My friend Anthony Williams ask me to photograph him and his band performing. That lead to me decided to tour with the band Arise Roots for two weeks and loved it. That’s when learned I wanted to travel and document. My boyfriend at the time introduced me to Trish Jetton, lead singer of HIRIE(2016). We had coffee, chatted and we clicked. At the time the band was in a small bus and she said why don’t you come with us for a few days, see if you like it. I said yes and packed my bags. Made arrangements for my son and let the wind blow me. After that tour Gypsea Captures was fully created. I found clients, clients found me, work just showed up. People loved my work. They believed in me so much they paid me. Haha. As much as I love photographing families. It’s not my passion.
This year, I declined new clients because the families I do work with hire me more than once a year and I knew I wanted to make time to tour with the band. My families have chosen me to be there for births, birthdays and even beach days. I’m growing with my families. And I had to say no also because This year I was officially added to the Hirie payroll. Can you believe my excitement?!? I’m also growing with them. I’m not making 75k a year (ye… lol, maybe a few more years) like I was at my corporate job but I’m much happier, both mentally and physically. I might have 30 different jobs but I wouldn’t go back to having one job. I see my business’ growth and how it’s growing. I see the potential of the brand I’m creating. I see all that is possible. I want to wholehearted show people that we are all capable. Even if we have mental health problems. I always say wonder, wander, capture and create. Meaning. Don’t wonder. Go wander. Capture dreams and create your story.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
My journey has not been easy. My mental health always gets in the way. But My biggest struggle was believing that a teenage mom could do more than be a mom. Everyone said I would I be a statistic. Everyone said photography wasn’t going to pay off. Everyone said I wouldn’t accomplish anything because I was a young mom. Things got better when I stopped listening to people and started believing in myself. I still have down days. Even when things are great. But I take it one day at the time mentally. My advice would be to always do what you want. There’s always going to be someone or something that’s going to get in the way. Don’t let it. Fight for your dreams. And if life gets hard. Take a day off. It’s ok. Just take 9 years like me. Haha!
We’d love to hear more about Gypsea Captures.
I am an artist/photographer/editor/curator/content creator/creative director. I specialize in capturing life organically. I most proud of how I’m inspiring people. I can never get over how when female photographers message me asking questions. I love it. And love that more woman isn’t afraid of getting in the pit. I see energy. long story to explain but briefly meaning I seem people light up while they are sitting, playing, sleeping all of it. And what I do, is capture it. Thus, my image will give you feelings. You won’t just look at my photographs and see a stunning image but you will feel those seconds of life forever. The thing that sets me apart is for every 3000 I make. I give a session a way throughout the year. Who gets the session is usually someone that is down on their luck or maybe isn’t financially able to pay to have their family photographed. Nothing brings me more joy than making people smile. I’m just lucky enough to capture it too.
Finding a mentor and building a network are often cited in studies as a major factor impacting one’s success. Do you have any advice or lessons to share regarding finding a mentor or networking in general?
I always say start in your community. Go to events. Get to know your circle of potential clients. I really believe that if you’re going to do big things, start at home first. Because you can’t get famous in your hometown, then how will you get famous somewhere else.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.agypsealife.com
- Email: gypseacaptures@gmail.com
- Instagram: @gypsea_rebel
Image Credit:
Edgar Gaytan, Natalie Colunga
Getting in touch: SDVoyager is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
