We were so blessed to have been sponsored as official writers by the awesome team at SLR Lounge for our week at WPPI. The 3rd of 10 in our series, we’re so excited to share with you some snippets of what inspired, challenged and moved us at WPPI 2011.
To view the entire article, comment or contact us at studio@dparkphotography.com to subscribe to our monthly e-newsletter Photographer’s Corner containing exclusive tips and resources for photographers, from hobbyists to full-timers.
Jerry Ghionis WPPI 2011 | Anatomy of a Powerful Image
After days of little sleep, it took a loud alarm, a Starbucks frap, and the 15-minute sprint (in heels, mind you) to the MGM Grand Garden Arena. Thanks to WPPI’s new Pre-Board system, the place was already fairly packed 10 minutes before the event started. But once the staff knew I was covering the event for SLR Lounge, I was given a front seat to one of the most emotional and moving classes in all of WPPI.
Enter Jerry Ghionis.
Who is Jerry Ghionis?
College dropout. Australian born. Almost an Austin Powers of photography, an international man of mystery, mastery, and mojo of irresistibility.
Jerry Ghionis is, with no exaggeration, one of the top 5 wedding photographers in the world, an “Icon of Imaging” by Microsoft and one of the 13 people in the world to be included in the coveted list of photography pioneers.
With his style best described as “vintage glamour meets contemporary fashion”, he began his own photography business in 1997 and has changed the photography world ever since.
You can view Jerry Ghionis’ work here.
His Platform Class
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“IF YOU PUT AN ORDINARY EFFORT INTO SOMETHING, YOU GET AN ORDINARY RESULT. IF YOU PUT AN EXTRAORDINARY EFFORT, YOU GET AN EXTRAORDINARY RESULT.”
– JERRY GHIONIS
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In the two hour session, he was able to show how he did just that.
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“NORMALLY, YOU GET THE CLIENTS YOU DESERVE…LIKE KHARMA, YOU PRETTY MUCH GET WHAT YOU GIVE.”
– JERRY GHIONIS
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For Jerry Ghionis, there are 5 steps to taking a powerful image:
1. Light
2. Location/background
3. Pose/concept/action
4. Technique/exposure
5. Expression/finesse
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“ALL I DO IS REMIND PEOPLE THE IMPORTANCE OF THE OCCASION. IT’S AMAZING HOW THAT CAN EVOKE THE EMOTION.”
– JERRY GHIONIS
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For some weddings, emotion can happen on its own. But what if it doesn’t? What would separate you from the photographer next to you? If you just wait for the emotions to happen, wouldn’t you say you’re just hoping for the best? Then, your work will only look as good as your couple are. Imagine EVOKING an image at every wedding and extracting it.
The Posing Demonstration
Jerry called 5 real couples in love out of the audience. Using hilarious queues like below he was able to extract quite a reaction out of them
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“DO YOU KNOW THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE COUPLE OR DO YOU JUST SAY, ‘LOOK HERE AND SMILE?’”
– JERRY GHIONIS
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He even introduced his newly designed video light called theicelight, a tall video light that allows for tungsten, white and mixed lighting. Available this summer!
He then changed our focus from photography to ourselves.
He pressed the question: Who are you?
Your style of photography is dictated by who you are as a person. We have to define ourselves properly to truly define who our client is.
In addition, we have to become better people to create better photographs.
Photograph your subject through the eyes of their loved ones. Be emotionally invested with whom you’re photographing. Photograph today with the luxury of hindsight. Think of the history you’re creating now.
He closed by sharing his beautifully photographed love story.
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“BEING MARRIED AND FINDING MY SOULMATE, I KNOW WHAT IT IS. I FEEL WHAT IT IS. MY SENSES ARE HEIGHTENED. I HAD THE BEST DAY OF MY LIFE.’”
– JERRY GHIONIS
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Jerry had just gotten married a month prior to his gorgeous bride (view their gorgeous wedding photos here). He closed with his wedding slideshow and by saying, “I’d like to thank my wife for making me the happiest man in the world.”
To Jerry and Melissa, congratulations! You two are a beautiful, sexy couple and we all can’t wait to see where your love story takes you both.
Jerry, we’d also like to close with just a special thank you for inspiring us to create powerful moments, become better photographers, and become better people.
A personal confession for me [Drexelle], of all the awesome wedding photographers out there, Jerry Ghionis is THE photographer I want to shoot like.
Stay tuned for more from Jim Garner, Kenny Kim, Kevin Kubota, Jules Bianchi, Jose Villa, and Susan Stripling in the coming weeks.
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where can you read the rest?
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