One of the fastest and easiest ways to grow as a professional photographer is to challenge yourself. Now there are several ways to do this with just you and your camera, but there are also ways of growing that maybe you haven’t thought of yet. Seek out new learning opportunities whether it be at international conventions or maybe from just a few close friends. Learn from your peers as well as those you look up to. Become involved within the industry. And when you get the opportunity, find out how you stack up against the competition by entering a few print contests.

In 2011, Luke & David attended the Imaging USA convention and trade show for the first time. The annual photography convention was held in San Antonio, Texas this year – right in our backyard so it was an easy decision to attend this year.

As part of their tradition, the organization conducts an International Photographic Competition and for the first time, both Luke & David entered prints to be considered alongside some of the world’s most talented and successful photographers. David won a gold award and Luke won silver. Luke was also a finalist in the best of wedding photography category. One of Luke’s images hung for convention attendees to view during the Kodak Gallery Award Ceremony the following evening which was both an honor and a blessing for Luke.

In addition to their image awards, both David & Luke were thrilled to receive International Photographer of the Year awards from the PPA organization for 2011. Two of their images were requested by PPA to be included in the Showcase Collection and three prints for the PPA Loan Collection.

PPA was a new experience for Edmonson Weddings, but one that they hope to continue in the years ahead. For those of you in our Dallas area, David has recently become involved with PPA on the regional level, serving on the local DPPA guild. He is responsible for planning the guild’s educational content, bringing in speakers and building relationships with those involved in the guild’s development through education. If you are interested in becoming involved in the Dallas PPA guild, you can visit their website at www.dallasppa.org for more information. We look forward to seeing you at one of the upcoming programs!

The life of a professional wedding photographer is filled with many blessed moments. Being part of such an extraordinary and meaningful day in two people’s lives is not only an honor for us but a blessing in itself. When we were asked to speak to other up-and-coming photographers about our experiences in wedding photography and this unique industry and our place within it, we of course obliged.

This past year has graced us with many blessed occasions, but one we are most proud of is our first speaking engagements. We spent time speaking at several Texas regional PPA (Professional Photography Association) conventions this year, including the Dallas guild, the Lubbock guild, and the Texoma guild; as well as the annual SPA (Senior Portrait Artists) conference in Palm Springs, California.

As a photographer and as an artist, you need to refine your craft and develop your personal touch – this is what will make you stand out amongst the competition. But there are several things we have learned along the way that can help you get to where you want to be – quicker, and with fewer missteps. It’s called, Learning to Surf – Riding the Wedding Day Wave and it’s the topic of our speaking program.

First-time surfers will tell you – starting out is hard. You’re unsure of yourself, and you’ll misstep more times than you can count. You’re tired; you’re sore, and you may be hesitant about getting out there and doing it again. But as you learn, it starts to get a little bit easier and a lot more fun. Wedding photography is no different – the trick is learning how to keep your eyes on the horizon, it will keep you from falling head first towards whatever issue you’re focusing. Our goal in this program is to get you up on your feet faster, hopefully making the wedding photography process easier from the get go.

If you’re interested in attending one of our upcoming speaking engagements, drop us a line. We’ll keep you updated as they arise!

Thanks!

The average wedding photographer is commissioned to photograph anywhere from 20 to 50 weddings per year, with some booking more than 50. For Luke & David, from the moment they opened Edmonson Weddings in early 2003, this has been their rhythm and schedule. So to say they’ve seen it all is quite the understatement. But at the beginning of 2010, the tables were turned, and it was Luke who was saying the I Do’s to his beautiful wife, Bethany.

While driving one day, Luke casually mentioned to Bethany that he had been thinking about who to ask to be their wedding photographer. Intrigued Bethany asked for him to go on and Luke said that the name in his mind what the illustrious and uber-talented – Mr. Jerry Ghionis.

Bethany clapped her hands together exclaiming, “Oh my gosh, he makes women look so beautiful!”

David & Luke met Jerry while attending the WPPI (Wedding and Portrait Photographers International) Convention in 2009. Jerry was not a stranger by any means, as they had seen and heard of his work for quite some time. But it was perhaps cosmically destined, then, to have their print competition images hanging side by side. Cosmic destiny or maybe just the photography God’s stepping in to introduce the three. Whatever it was, a friendship formed instantly.

And so when Luke suggested Jerry to his soon to be wife, Bethany immediately agreed. The two of them reached out to the Australian photography phenom and after a few scheduling discussions, they all settled on April 17, 2010.

The result? In truth, there is no end to the gift that Jerry provided to Luke & Bethany on their wedding day. It’s the kind of gift that – as corny as it may sound – never stops giving. Their wedding album and images from the day are looked at and remarked upon on almost a daily basis, and they were so honored to have Jerry be a part of their day. It’s been just over a year since that amazing day, so for our anniversary gift to you, we’d like to share some of those images.

And just 9 months after Luke’s wedding, the tables turned yet again and this time, it was Jerry Ghionis getting married. On January 24, 2011, Jerry wed his gorgeous bride, Melissa, on top of the Royal Melbourne Yacht Squadron in St. Kilda, Australia overlooking Port Phillip Bay. David and Luke had the honor of attending the wedding and spent some time photographing the couple during their beautiful ceremony and reception. A few of the images capturing Jerry & Melissa’s family members became very meaningful to the two newlyweds. You can hear what they had to say about some of our photos on their blog JerryGhionisBlog.com.

 

Jerry’s mom and dad.

Jerry hired two photographers, one of them being Zane, his nephew!

The very happy couple.

Here is a shot of the two great professionals, Zane and Ryan Schembri

One of Jerry’s close friends is Jesh de Rox, who serenaded the new couple with a composition of his own, composed specifically for Jerry and Melissa.

We’ve mentioned before how Jerry has been a mentor to both David & Luke. But it needs to be said, how really, remarkable an experience it is, to be able to give back to someone who is so giving of himself. Congratulations are in order, to our wonderful friends, Jerry & Melissa.