One thing I noticed as soon as Gabi put the sun glasses on was the shift in weight I felt of who was in front of me. A token of her persona throughout her early career, it carries a certain association to it. For me, there’s HER the musician, the grammy award winning artist, and then there’s Gabi the little girl I remember jamming with in the living room.
Looking back while editing and reviewing these photos, these feel like a documentation of that distinction—and for Gabi, I imagine she’s always looking to express something somewhere in between.
First off, I want to say how deeply moved and honored I am that @hermusicofficial had me as the first person to do a photoshoot of her during a recording session.
A little backstory: Gabi and I used to play music together as kids, so to see her evolution into stardom throughout the years has been nothing less than spectacular. It’s undeniable that she’s an immense talent, but what amazes me in reconnecting with her again is her ability to stay grounded in a world where it seems so easy to lose your head. She retains her mentality as being a student of the world—always learning, always growing, and always seeking truth.
Shukubo stay in the Japanese countryside
Every morning at 5 AM at the Kuonji Temple, a young buddhist monk throws the weight of his entire body back to ring the morning bell—after which at 5:30, you can decide to join in morning prayers.
To get to the temple, you can hike up along the road or opt for the main temple entrance which leads to the Bodaitei steps. Ascending the steps while reciting the Buddhist mantra symbolizes the passage through life’s challenges.
