Photographer Gaby Zak is preparing for her biggest exhibition yet, a large-scale pop-up at Newcastle Quays, North Shields, running from Thursday, July 9th. The event celebrates the people, places, and everyday moments that make the North East special, showcasing her striking landscape and documentary work.
Special Event on July 11th
A special event on Saturday, July 11th will feature local musician Lewis Blyth, DJ Libby Beenna, and food stalls including Fresh Neapolitan Pizza by Scott and Wilson and Snacks by Harvey’s Off License. Attendees can meet the photographer and pre-order copies of Volume Four of her documentary series.
From Childhood Passion to Career
Photography has been part of Gaby’s life since childhood. Inspired by family trips to Scotland, where her grandparents lived in Dumfries and Galloway, she developed a fascination with landscapes. “I’ve always been creative,” Gaby said. “I chose photography at A-Level and I love the outdoors, the world amazes me and I just wanted to capture it.”
During the Covid pandemic, she turned her passion into a career. “During Covid I picked up my camera and posted my work every day online,” she said. “I began researching ways to get my work published and secured features and interviews. From there, things just started to grow.”
Documenting the North East
Now based in North Shields after moving from Reading, Gaby specialises in landscape and nature photography. Her acclaimed black-and-white documentary series has reached its third volume, capturing local people, communities, and the character of the North East. “I love telling people’s stories through photography,” she said. “Often people don’t even realise they’re being photographed. It’s about capturing genuine moments and showing the beauty in ordinary life.”
Working alongside Kelly Hodgkiss, Gaby developed projects through their production company, Here You Belong, which helps smaller organisations create high-quality media. Kelly said: “Gaby has a unique ability to capture moments that people can’t forget. She has a special ability to capture the mundane beautifully. People see a photograph and recognise a street they walked down every day or a familiar moment from their own lives. That’s why her work resonates so strongly.”
Pop-Up Store Experience
The expanded venue will allow visitors to explore collections of her work, including landscapes across the North East and beyond, documentary photography, and immersive projection displays featuring seasonal woodland scenes. Visitors can also book photo sessions during the event, with Gaby setting up a dedicated photography space.
For Gaby, the pop-up store is about letting people find their moment. “I want people to look at the images and think, ‘That’s my place,’” she said. “I want people to feel proud of where they come from and see themselves within the beauty that’s all around them.”
Future Plans
Following the event, Gaby is already planning the next chapter of her documentary series, with Volume Four currently in development. “People keep asking when the next book is coming out,” she said. “I’m always taking photographs, so the next project is never far away.”
