# Eye-Piercing Portraits Ari Gabel Shoots Stunningly Mesmerizing Photographs By Francis Tiangson | Published 2011-02-03 | Art & Design Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ari-gabel References: [photodonuts](http://www.photodonuts.com/ari-gabel) & [flickr](http://www.flickr.com/photos/arigabel/) Young photographer Ari Gabel takes [eye piercing-photographs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/artsy-eyewear-collection) of people, as though looking into their spirits. Capturing images where subjects are peering straight at the lens, Gabel is able to make a strong connection between the subject and its observer. Studying at Ringling College of Art and Design, Ari Gabel displays great knowledge and skill in creating intriguing photographs. His [self-portraits](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/glass-portraits) are unlike anything I've seen, making his work definitely worth looking over. **Implications** - Portrait photography such as this one provides a deeper connection between the viewer and the image. By creating emotive products and services they will become more memorable and believable to consumers. Businesses that manipulate this use of direct eye-contact are more likely convey an aura of authenticity within their visual displays of marketing. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 4.6/10 - Popularity: 83% | Activity: 47% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 30% men, 70% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Art & Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/artdesign) ## Key Themes ### What Makes This Trend Stand Out - **Direct Eye-contact Photography:** There is an opportunity to create emotive products and services that are more memorable and believable to consumers by using direct eye-contact photography. - **Emotive Products and Services:** Creating emotive products and services is becoming a trend, and those that do it well will be more successful in conveying an aura of authenticity within their visual displays of marketing. - **Portrait Photography:** Portrait photography is a trend that is creating a deeper connection between the viewer and the image, making it worth exploring for businesses. ### Sectors Adopting This - **Photography:** The photography industry has the potential to explore direct eye-contact photography and create emotive portrait photographs for businesses to use in their marketing. - **Marketing:** The marketing industry can benefit from using emotive products and services to convey an aura of authenticity within their visual displays. - **Art and Design:** The art and design industry can explore new methods, such as direct eye-contact photography, to create deeper connections between the viewer and the art. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Painting-Immersive Photo Exhibits](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/new-ground-exhibition.md) - [Stunning Origami Portraits](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/origami-portaits.md) - [AI-Powered Portrait Studios](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ai-powered-portrait-studio.md) - [AI-Powered Portrait Studio Platforms](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/portraius.md) - [AI-Generated Self-Portraits](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/persona-ai.md) - [Expressive Piercing Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pierced-by-claires.md) - [Virtual Piercing Apps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-face-piercing-app.md) - [Blurry Abstract Photography Exhibits](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/optical-allusion.md) - [Striking Glass Portraits](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/glass-portraits.md)