Jerry Ghionis APP.L M.Photog IV - 2016 AIPP Australian Professional Fashion Photographer of the Year

Widely regarded as one of the top 5 best wedding photographers in the world, Jerry Ghionis is based in Beverly Hills, California and Melbourne, Australia. His style can be described where vintage glamour meets contemporary fashion. A Nikon USA Ambassador, Jerry was named in the first ever list of Top Ten Wedding Photographers in the World by American Photo Magazine. Grand Master of WPPI (Wedding & Portrait Photographers International), Jerry has won their International Wedding Album of the Year Award for 8 times among his long list of accolades which includes being named in their top 5 Wedding Photographers in the World.

Jerry has won the AIPP (Australian Institute of Professional Photography) Victorian Wedding Photographer of the Year 3 times and the AIPP Australian Album of the Year 3 times and was also named as the 2011 Australian Wedding Photographer of the Year.

In 2011 Jerry was named by PDN Magazine as one of the top photography workshop instructors in the world. In 2014, Jerry received a United Nations IPC (International Photography Community) Photography Leadership Award. In 2016 Jerry won the AIPP Australian Fashion Photographer of the Year.

With the flair of a fashion designer and the ingenuity of an architect, his style can be described where vintage glamour meets contemporary fashion. Renowned for his creativity, he not only has the ability to capture natural magic on your wedding day but he creates magic of his own. His love and empathy for people creates powerful visual storytelling. With the innate ability to make everyone look and feel beautiful in front of his camera, Jerry’s images are often simple yet a complex blend of soul, drama, imagination and technical skill. Whether he is shooting a glamour session, lifestyle portrait or boudoir beauty, Jerry has the ability to bring out the best in any situation.

Web: www.jerryghionis.com
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Jerry Ghionis APP.L M.Photog IV - My first impression of Allison when I met her was that she was extremely timid and painfully shy. I don’t know whether it was just her personality and that she was not a naturally confident person and wary of people or whether it just from being so young. For this shoot, I had access to an incredible wardrobe on Melrose Ave in Beverly Hills and combining the wardrobe with her personality gave me the concept for this shoot. I wanted to amplify her persona which could be interpreted as that of a young, rebellious teen. The outfit itself was made up of a black tutu and a black crocodile jacket. We also put heavy eye make up and styled her hair into somewhat of a mohawk. The minute she stepped in front of my camera, it all made sense for me and it came together. Although her passive look was quite strong, I asked her to frown so I could get those lines between her eyes (my specific directions were, “I want brow pressure”) and that added to the tension of the negative space in front of her. It is a simple but striking image.

Jerry Ghionis APP.L M.Photog IV - I was commissioned to photograph some promotional images of the singer, Zhavea. She usually is depicted with a strong, warrior princess-like persona, but I wanted more intrigue. I wanted to draw attention to her quiet confidence but also showcase her trademark mane-like hair.

Jerry Ghionis APP.L M.Photog IV - Meghan was simply fearless in front of the camera. Very simply, there was nothing she wouldn’t or couldn’t do while I was photographing her. Photographing her in front of a beautiful canvas backdrop hand painted by Oliphant, the highlights in her hair make it look like it was on fire. I tried a few hair flips to keep her face while still maintaining slight movement in her hair. Her hair looks like it’s on fire and it looks like she’s falling. The result is a strong but quiet and calm portrait.

Jerry Ghionis APP.L M.Photog IV - My main photography influence growing up was Herb Ritts. He was famous for photographing in the bright California sun and bringing out the best in his subjects. And that inspired me for this shoot. I used the avant garde but almost religious-looking crown to create shadows falling on her face so that they look like tears. The negative space on top provides tension but leads your eye into the soft expression.