Meet Gloria Moeller

We recently connected with Gloria Moeller and have shared our conversation below.

Gloria, looking forward to learning from your journey. You’ve got an amazing story and before we dive into that, let’s start with an important building block. Where do you get your work ethic from?
I grew up in a small town in Iowa. My parents were hard working entrepreneurs who owned and operated a portrait studio in our home. In addition to their photography business, my father was also the projectionist at the local movie theater. I observed daily the artistry of their photography skills, but also the partnership and work ethic they both exhibited to provide a good living for our family. I still recall watching my mother itemize every expense incurred as she worked on the accounting books for the business and our personal expenses. I watched my father in the darkroom as he coaxed images onto the paper in the developing vats. I watched my mother tint the black and white portraits with soft colors for cheeks and lips and eyes. They both were bold examples of doing whatever it takes to make a business successful.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
In my current phase of life, I am focusing on wandering in nature whenever possible, capturing images that focus on the emotions of life. Next, I spend time using Adobe Lightroom and Photo Shop to enhance the images as I strive to portray what my eye has seen that my camera may or may not have been capable of capturing. Although cameras today are amazing, they still cannot match the way the human eye and brain see nature. And finally, I dearly love doing in-person art shows where I can share my photos with many people and discuss their stories with buyers.

Being fortunate enough to live in the San Diego, CA area, I can show my work year-round at outdoor shows with the San Diego Art Mart Association at Balboa Park in San Diego and across the San Diego Bay Bridge with the Coronado Art Association at Spreckles Park in Coronado, CA. In addition, my work is shown regularly with the La Jolla Art Association at the La Jolla Community Center.

I also have an online gallery where you can view and purchase my nature photography in the categories of: Wildlife, Ocean Scenes, Mountain Scenes, San Diego Landmarks, and Garden and Wildflowers at https://www.lifeimagesbygloria.com

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
First of all, I would have to credit my time observing my parents in their business. That is where my “photographer’s eye” developed. I learned so much there about the premier importance of artistic composition, capturing dramatic lighting, and searching those elements that evoke emotion in the viewer.

Second, I am constantly learning about my craft through classes and workshops so that my body of work improves over time. I think of myself as a lifetime learner and enjoy the challenge of learning new skills.

A third skill would be both persistence and resilience. Sure, there have been disappointments and failures along the way, however, I have developed the ability to get back up, brush myself off, learn from the experience and move forever forward toward my goals.

Advice I have for you if you are early in your journey, First, be willing to be vulnerable and take the risk. You cannot succeed if you are too afraid to take that first step. Realize that failures along the way are very possible, but they do not mean you should not take that first step! When I first started taking my photos off my computer and into public shows, I started small. With a few of my very best images, invested minimally in display materials and went to a farmers’ market, just to test to see if other people thought my work was quality enough to be shown in their home or office. Once I had some successes there, I applied to and was accepted by art associations that provide me with a variety of venues to sell my photos. Over time, I increased my inventory and made my display more professional with quality art panels and offered multiple sizes and media options. Along the way, I developed an online gallery with Shopify as well.

Before we go, any advice you can share with people who are feeling overwhelmed?
I have moments of overwhelm, which of course, everyone has. Once I stop crying or hyperventilating, I take deep breaths, sit down, eat ice cream. . . no seriously, I try to give myself a day now and then, when I turn away from the never-ending list of To Dos and do absolutely nothing. Or do only what pops in my head to do. Perhaps it will be a long walk out in nature, or have a two-nap day, or take drawing lessons, or sit with my dog on my lap, or just whatever helps me feel whole again. A good night’s sleep can be refreshing and help me refocus on my business goals with fresh eyes.

Contact Info:

Image Credits
all taken by Gloria Moeller

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