Well, I am Gina Long, who goes by gishmoon, (my alter-ego) girlie-q, (if you’re my hubby Steven), and mom, (to my beautiful son, Nolan). I’m a passionate, sort of unusual, quirky, old-soul with a true penchant for imagery, story telling and design. I like to feel and reflect what I see and perceive in people, places and things! I am a mood-catcher, image-maker, who believes photography is more about translation than creation. I’ve been shooting for over twenty-five years and I studied photography with the unparralled photographer and artist, Anne Zelle at American University in Washington, DC where I received a BA in Visual Media.
My career highlights include being the Missing Child Producer at America’s Most Wanted for 5 years, producing a few documentary shows for Discovery Network and CBS, cutting my teeth at Court TV, now TRU TV, earning a JD at Seton Hall University School of Law, clerking in the NJ Superior Family Court, practicing law in NJ and presently being the owner/photographer at The Unexpected Portrait in Southern California.
The Unexpected Portrait is my take on people, families, pets, special occasions, life, and everything in between. I strive for my work to be a fulfilling collection of these sorts of memorable images, capturing as many exciting, delightful, introspective, silly and/or unique moments as can be seen with my eyes, though the lens, in as many ways as I can see them. Some images are raw and unaltered. Others, once captured, inspire me to play with effects, overlays and many times even color and texture. Hopefully, in all the images the thread you’ll find is a mood reflected. Delve in, come back often and let me know what you think.
I come to Go Public with an interest in reflecting the true image of a day in the life of a struggling Public School System; the ups, the downs, the challenges and the victories. I am familiar with PUSD because my son attended kindergarten and first grade at Sierra Madre Elementary in the PUSD and I spearheaded a movement to save the K-1 integrated learning program there, which led me to getting involved in a few local organizations that support public education.