When the world slowed down during Covid-19, most teens spent quarantine with their screens. For Mount Carmel junior Gabriel Valerio, it was a camera that caught his attention.
Valerio began the Covid period by spending his time skateboarding around Chicago. When the weather started to get colder, he started watching others instead of skating himself, and he started wanting to capture the skateboarders. So he began bringing his camera everywhere he went.
“I started to build an interest in taking pictures of skateboarders and people on the streets of Chicago,” says Gabriel.
At first, Gabriel’s photos were just for fun, but soon he realized he liked street photography. He particularly appreciated showing what life in Chicago looks like through the camera’s eyes, so he started taking photos of the city itself, capturing both its busy streets and quiet moments.
“Chicago is such a unique city,” he says. “The people here are unique, too. Just being able to capture different ways of life is interesting.”
Here at MC, Gabriel has also started taking photos at school events, especially sports games. His classmates have started to recognize his work, and sometimes players will ask him for photos of them.
Photography also brought him and his dad, Mr. Jamie Valerio, closer together. Mr. Valerio has always been the family photographer. Mr. Valerio said that taking pictures started as a way to hold onto memories of his twin sons growing up.
“These boys, Michael and Gabriel, were in a lot of activities,” Mr. Valerio says. “I wanted to make sure that I captured those moments. Things happen so quickly nowadays.”
When Gabriel’s interest grew, his dad was the one to give him his first camera. The two now share the same creative hobby, often shooting at the same events and learning from each other. Mr. Valerio thinks watching his son develop his own style has been rewarding.
“He’s progressed as a photographer because he takes the time to step back and look at the situation,” says Mr. Valerio. “The cool thing is he’s got his way of thinking, and I have my own, and we’re both right.”
Michael Valerio, Gabriel’s twin brother, has also noticed how photography has strengthened the bond between his dad and brother.
“They talk about photography all the time,” Michael says. “It’s mostly all they discuss, and it makes them happy getting to share a common interest they both love.”
The twin brother has even been a subject in some of Gabriel’s photos. Since Michael runs track, Gabriel often brings his camera to meets to take pictures. Those photos capture both the focus and emotion in those small moments before and after competition.
“Gabe would take pictures of me during track meets when I’d be running or warming up,” Michael says. “I really liked them because he captured those moments in a cool way.”
Michael likes how Gabriel’s photos tell a story rather than just showing an image.
“He’s very talented,” Michael says. “I see his photos, and I like the artistic style. He has a lot of potential in photography.”
Over time, Gabriel’s interests have gone beyond photography. He started thinking about how movement and sound could bring a story to life. His curiosity led him to start making short films.
“It was when I watched a film that made me cry,” he says, referring to the movie Cast Away. “I thought it was powerful that you could evoke emotions from a film because you’re telling a story.”
One of his early projects showed a single bike lying on the ground, filmed from above with a drone. There was no flashy imagery or dialogue, but rather about what the scene meant for the person watching it. Every angle had a purpose, and even the silence carried meaning.
Gabriel has been playing with editing, lighting, and sound, finding new ways to connect with viewers through feeling rather than words.
Now, Gabriel wants to share his passion with fellow students. He wants to start a filmmaking club at MC to give students a space to create short films together.
“If we were to bring a group together where we all worked on these pieces, we could make something really good,” Gabriel says. “If it’s kids they know and kids around their age, they’ll probably connect to it on a deeper level.”
For Gabriel, the idea is not just about film production, but giving students a way to express their feelings and find communities.
Photography and film are more than something to pass the time for Gabriel. They taught him to slow down and see deeper meaning in everyday life. Fame and money are not what drive him. What matters most is telling stories that feel honest and personal. Some of his work can be found on his Instagram page.
“The best camera you have is the one on you,” Gabriel says.
