Since the age of nine, he has seen the world through a camera lens. He has documented everything from his personal travels and adventures, to weddings and portraits, to covering stories as a Combat Correspondent in the United States Marines Corps. In November of 2003, Gatlin took a photograph that has since started frenzy for his work. It is encompassed in series called The Beauty Project, a series of nudes taken at night in public places. The entire project is shot, processed and printed from film by Gatlin in his own studio, where he has perfected his craft for more than 20 years. In April of 2005, Gatlin co-produced a short documentary about The Beauty Project, which won "Best Documentary" at the Forest International Film Festival in Portland in May. The film was also an "Official Selection" at the Zeitgeist International Film Festival in San Francisco and the Los Angeles International Short Film Festival.