Ana Gambuto | How A Lifestyle Photographer Found New Ways To Connect & Create In The Year Of Covid
by Neha Ruch
The last time I saw Ana Gambuto, we were sitting at the bar at ABCV sipping something very pretty and conjuring up photo shoots for this series in particular. I dream of all of those things one day soon. Ana’s work is real, joyful, and a down-to-earth-sophisticated, quite like she is, and you can find it across some of our favorite online publications (Cup of Jo, Goop, New York Family, and Mini Magazine to name a few). When her second baby came along almost in lockstep with lockdown (happy one year, Beau!), her family of four parted with their long-time caregiver and the city in favor of a safe haven and space in Shelter Isle. Below, Ana shares more on the adjustment to life without her previous village and work and how exactly she built a new business - luxury sweatshirts that pay homage to her new home - and new community alongside two toddlers and what she’s looking forward to coming out of the cocoon. Read all from Ana below.
1. Since we last met in person, life has changed so much. How has your work and family rhythm shifted after having Ette and then again after Beau in the pandemic?
After Ette, my life went pretty much back to the way it was pre-motherhood. We found a wonderful, trusted full-time nanny, and I went back to my same career as a lifestyle photographer.
I was grateful for the return to a successful schedule, which was busier than ever since my greatest fear was that my career would be over after the baby came. Instead, I was busier than ever. But, I was also perpetually on the verge of burnout. I’ve always had trouble asking for help, so I would bust my butt physically while my emotional state limped along behind, exhausted and ignored. I didn’t have time to confront my discomforts.
Fast forward to Beau, who was born one month before lockdown. We opted to end our nanny relationship during Covid out of an abundance of precaution, so here I was... a full-time mom of two, for the first time. I was out of my depth, to say the least!
2. So many people have considered a move out of the city during the pandemic, how do you think Shelter Island serves your current chapter with family and work? What helped you get comfortable with the choice to make that change?
We considered the financials, of course, and we were in love with the house we bought, so I tried my best to just JUMP without a huge sense of this or that being the "last time" I did any of the city things. We do plan to come back to the city "at some point soon," but what that means changes frequently!
It'll come as no surprise that with two toddlers (sound familiar?), the best part of moving out here is more space. That is a truly wonderful thing, though, it's not Shelter Island-specific. What is unique to this island is the truly safe space that it is... hardly any people, hardly any cars, empty, calm, small beaches, nature preserves, and a community of people who seem to truly care for one another! We've got 15-20 new friends, all with kids of similar ages. Though, none of us have ever been inside one another's homes. It's weirdly kind of a wonderland of sorts, filled with people to text and resources for families!
3. Even during this period, you've spawned Shelter Isle and kept your social media presence so engaging. How do you fit that work into your days? As you look ahead to more of a village opening up how do you imagine this will change?
The unexpected "baby" that is Shelter Isle is a gift in SO many ways. It has single-handedly allowed me a reason to meet my neighbors and many of those new friends I mentioned - I met because I delivered them a sweatshirt!
It's also been incredibly difficult to do this without childcare. I joke that my workday is 9 pm-12 am, which isn't a funny joke. I look most forward to broad vaccinations and things opening up so that I can hire a helper again! I find I either have truly productive days when I make tons of content and headway on my business, or days when I don't take a single photo or post anything, or return one email.
4. You are so talented and this industry is changing over and over. What's your advice on continuing to nurture your creativity and grow your network in a stage of life when time feels limited?
I think the secret to nurturing your creativity is to stay curious, in general! Ask questions. Say yes to new things if you possibly have the bandwidth. Make room for these things that serve you by saying no to things that serve others if you do that too often.
A good example of staying curious to me is how I recently discovered and fell in love with the Clubhouse app. I am obsessed with it and find it incredibly rewarding - and now my being an early adopter (which I did for pure enjoyment) is becoming an asset for my business because I can explain it to people, moderate rooms, and discover like-minded potential collaborators and customers!
The secret to growing your (social media?) network is, sadly, to not be in a hurry about it. You'll have waves of growth and periods of stagnation, and at the end of the day, your numbers don't sum up your worth, reach, the value of your business or yourself. In the same way, that the number on your scale is bullshit, your age is boring (and irrelevant to your worth), and the number of tries you attempted something before succeeding doesn't take away from that success. It may be that as an artist, I just hate numbers! What I mean is, on social and in life, the less you can give a shit about random metrics, the better.
5. I adore your energy - can I have some of what you're having? What habits and routines keep you feeling and creating at a high vibe?
Welp! I do drink about five gallons of La Colombe coffee in every single day. I'm addicted to their completely non-bitter cold brew.
Quick Chit Chat:
+ Product you'd gift every mother
I gift new moms this undereye concealer - it's a literal miracle!
+ Favorite family ritual or routine that keeps things smooth
Pack snacks, water and change of clothes the night before, and place by the door!
+ Most meaningful marriage advice/learning
Don't let resentments build... hunt down where they come from and talk about them! I love a "weekly wins" though my husband finds sitting down specifically to do them cheesy so I just work them into conversations! And, just meet them where they are and SPEAK UP to let them know where you are, so they can meet you there. I have trouble using my voice in this way... always working on that!
+ 3 Instagram accounts that inspire you
One of the coolest things about starting the Shelter Isle IG account was that I decided I would ONLY follow other local businesses and artist/inspo accounts. I find that opening that account is the breath of fresh air that my other account hasn't been for years (if ever?).
Three accounts I've discovered lately that I go back to often are:
This random flooring account is the craziest home inspo... planning our renovation in my dreams over on this account!
Aquapricot - can't describe.
CLO - just incredible.
You can follow along with Ana and Shelter Isle on Instagram.
Read More:
