We had the good fortune of connecting with Gabriel Israel and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Gabriel, do you have some perspective or insight you can share with us on the question of when someone should give up versus when they should keep going?
My mantra is never give up! Unless there are unexpected circumstances (such as health related) that prevent you from doing what you were set out to do, once you set a goal, you have to keep going and fulfill it. You may re-evaluate the circumstances and the strategies as you go, but you never stop “moving forward.”

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
As a young kid I was always considered becoming a successful artist. I used to draw using various techniques and my photos were praised for being unique and advanced for my young age. Later on in life I found photography as the form of art to express what I saw around me. Photography is a true passion of mine that I take very seriously as part of my life journey. I was fortunate enough to have my photos exclusively presented in one of the top galleries in Toronto. This exposure allowed me to use my photography to raise funds for charities. Recently, I have travelled to Nepal and trekked all the way to Everest Base Camp. I donated three of the photos from this challenging trek to a Canadian charity that is focused on closing the tech gap within Indigenous communities. I ended up raising more than $30,000 for that charity, which bought 100 laptops for indigenous youth.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
When it comes to Canada, there is so much to see, visit, and enjoy. I live in Richmond Hill, Ontario (30km/20miles north of Toronto). Ontario is huge and has a lot to offer. Places to visit and things to do depend on the season. In the Fall, I would arrange a trip to the northern part of Ontario (e.g., Algonquin Park) to see the changing colours of the leaves. You can rent a cottage near one of the numerous lakes and enjoy trekking, canoeing, fishing, and BBQ.

In the winter, there are several skiing and cross country skiing options, and in the Spring and summer (and even in the winter if you’re more adventurous), I would go to Niagara-on-the-Lake—a beautiful, picturesque town that is 10-15 min away from the big Niagara Falls. They can enjoy a few local treks, see the falls, zipline, and enjoy some of the fine restaurants this place has to offer.
We can end the week-long trip at my home with great food, wine, and some quiet time…

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
That’s an easy one. I would not be what/where I am today, as an individual and as a professional, without my wife, who is my best friend and partner for life. We’ve been together for nearly 40 years, and she is my “lottery win” – a once in a lifetime win. Some of my foundations are credited to my parents that allowed me to “pick and choose” some of their own qualities and helped me realize what to do and what not to do in order to be happy in life.
And last but not least are my kids, who always kept me grounded and introduce me to other perspectives on life and different evolving points of view, to help me remain current (as much as I can).

Website: https://gabrielisraelphotography.com

Instagram: gabyisphoto

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabyisrael/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gabyisphoto

Other: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2355756204572015

Image Credits
Gabriel Israel

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