"Welcome to Gibby_Visuals: My Photography Journey"

In 2020, I picked up a camera for the first time—not because I had some grand plan, but because of a single moment that changed everything.

I was on my first longer motorbike cruise on my brand-new Honda CBR500R, heading to my first-ever car meet. I remember pulling up and seeing a few photographers working the event, cameras in hand, capturing these incredible machines from angles I'd never considered. I was instantly hooked. I started asking questions, and before I knew it, I'd made some genuine friends who shared my passion for cars and photography.

Within a week or two, I bought my first camera: a Canon T8i. It was price-friendly, under my $1,500 budget, and brand new—because I'm firm about being the one to put the miles on my gear. After a lot of research, I landed on Canon for its versatility across different genres. At that point, I had no idea I'd eventually shoot everything from portraits to real estate, but that camera opened the door.

From Hobby to Obsession

In those early days, it was all about cars. I shot automotive obsessively, with the occasional dog photo of my two pups and some landscape shots thrown in. But automotive photography was what made me fall in love with this craft. It still holds a special place in my heart and probably always will.

The two photographers I met at that first car meet became my mentors. They pushed me to improve, taught me to see light differently, and challenged me to tell a story with every shoot. Later, I connected with a real estate photographer who I'm now partnering with, and I started following countless other photographers online—not to copy them, but to understand why they made certain creative choices. I wanted to develop my own style while learning from the best.

Going Professional

In 2024, after graduating from the Professional Photography program at the Center for Arts and Technology (now the College for Arts and Technology) in Kelowna, BC, I made the decision to go full professional. It wasn't just about turning a hobby into a career—it was about doing something I loved every single day and building a livable future around it.

But getting here wasn't easy. One of my biggest challenges was learning how to price myself. For the longest time, I undervalued my work. It took my girlfriend sitting me down and telling me I was being taken advantage of for me to do a full pricing evaluation. I restructured everything to reflect not just my skill level, but the quality and care I put into every single image.

I also struggled with imposter syndrome. Watching the photographers who helped me grow fly across the world for shoots while I was stuck photographing less attractive vehicles—that was a hard pill to swallow. But over time, I realized that success takes time, practice, and building the right network. I'm getting there, one shoot at a time.

The Name Behind the Brand

"Gibby_Visuals" has a pretty simple origin. Back in my baseball days, my teammates called me Gibby because of my last name, Gibb. It started as a joke (anyone remember the "What's Gibby thinking about?" meme from iCarly?), but the nickname stuck.

When I was building my brand, I took inspiration from one of my mentors who went by Steazy Visuals. I landed on Gibby_Visuals instead of Gibby_Photography because "visuals" felt broader—it leaves room for videography, graphic design, and anything else creative I want to explore. Photography and visuals mean the same thing, but "visuals" doesn't box me in.

My Philosophy: Hand-Crafted to Perfection

You'll hear me say "hand-crafted to perfection" a lot, and I mean it. I don't use presets. Every single photo I deliver is edited individually, from scratch, tailored to that specific shoot and that specific vision.

Why? Because using someone else's preset doesn't challenge me. It doesn't let me grow. And most importantly, it doesn't reflect my style or the story I'm trying to tell. Hand-crafting each image takes more time, but it ensures that every photo is authentic, polished, and not over-edited. It's about enhancing reality, not replacing it.

If I had to describe my photography style in five words: Professional. Clean. Polished. Bright. Quality

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Why I Shoot Everything

I love automotive photography, but let's be real—it's not the most profitable niche unless you're shooting 8-14 cars a week. So I expanded. I shoot portraits, couples, engagement sessions, product photography, real estate, pets, sports, landscapes—you name it.

But it's not just about paying the bills. Shooting multiple genres keeps me creatively sharp. It pushes me to grow my skills in different realms and prove to myself (and my clients) that I can deliver the same high-quality work regardless of the subject.

The Move to Kamloops

When I first moved from Kelowna to Kamloops, I lost most of my clients. The few I kept are now two hours away. It forced me to start fresh, put myself out there, and rebuild from scratch.

Kelowna had its perks—I knew every location, every time of day, every lighting condition. Kamloops? I'm starting over. I'm location scouting again, building up my spot collection, and learning the landscape all over again. It's been challenging, but it's also been an opportunity to grow.

What Makes Me Proud

Honestly, every shoot makes me proud. I push myself to hand-craft each session with care and intention. But if I had to pick one standout moment, it's the Dream Rally. I wasn't a sponsored photographer, but I got to shoot some incredibly special moments and some absolutely beautiful cars. That event reminded me why I do this.

The Gear I Use

I currently shoot with a Canon R6 Mark II. My favorite lenses? The 70-200mm for almost everything, the 16-35mm for wide-angle landscapes, the 24-70mm for versatility, and a 12mm for real estate video work. I also have two old film cameras that I absolutely love. Shooting film forces me to slow down, focus, and get it right in-camera instead of spraying and praying.

Next on my list? Sigma's prime lens lineup—the glass quality is insane. Eventually, I want to upgrade to the Canon R1 Mark II (when it drops) or the R5 Mark II, and turn my current body into a backup.

What to Expect When You Work with Me

My process is hand-crafted and unique. I don't make clients wait months for their photos—I strive for quality and reasonable turnaround times.

My personality shines during shoots. I don't just show up, take photos, and leave. I get to know my clients on a deeper level—not just as the person or car owner I'm photographing, but as a human being.

What makes me different? My attention to detail. I have major OCD when it comes to how my photos look, and when I have a vision, I chase it relentlessly. My values are simple: deliver the highest quality work at a cost-effective price that doesn't undervalue my time or skill, but also allows me to keep following my dreams.

What's Next for Gibby_Visuals

In the next 1-3 years, I see myself doing larger shoots, traveling to different locations for clients, and continuing to build community. I'm also working on something deeply personal: a mental health merch line.

Mental health is something I struggle with daily, and I want to bring to light that people—especially men—aren't alone. For too long, men's mental health has been brushed under the carpet, dismissed by older generations or overshadowed by outdated ideals. I'm breaking that stigma, one conversation (and one hoodie) at a time.

This Blog

So, what can you expect here? Photography tips, gear reviews, behind-the-scenes looks at my shoots, personal stories, and anything else that feels worth sharing. I won't commit to a rigid posting schedule just yet—I'm bouncing between a lot of things right now—but I'll post regularly as I find my rhythm.

If you've made it this far, thank you. Whether you're a potential client, a fellow photographer, or just someone who stumbled across this page—welcome to Gibby_Visuals. Let's create something amazing together.

Ready to book a session? Contact Me | View My Work

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