Elizabeth Messina is true to herself, saying you can't brand yourself without knowing your style. She's a master of capturing gorgeous work on film, expressing herself through her work, and capturing celebrities in a way that's unobtrusive and elegant. The portfolio slideshows during her WPPI platform presentation mixed images of well-known people with everyday families and brides seamlessly. Messina also incorporates signature crowns and signs into her work, using sepia tones that perfectly complement her vision.
Elizabeth didn't promise business advice or posing tips. She just showed us who she is, how she shoots, and why photography matters to her. Says Messina, "We are entrusted with telling stories of other people's lives." She takes that responsibility seriously, creating images ripe with life and tenderness. Her go-to camera is a Contax 645 with 80mm lens, and she's been shooting Fuji film for the past fifteen years.
'Life is tactile and beautiful and sweet if you look at it the right way."
Like Jonathan Canlas, Messina stressed the necessity for personal projects of all kinds. She challenges herself to work with equipment she doesn't normally use. Lately, that's been a Widelux camera; it helps her to see and think differently when stepping up to the viewfinder.
She also created her blog, Kiss the Groom, as a personal project of sorts. Messina wanted to have an unedited space for her work. After working with so many clients who get to choose which images to show where and when, Elizabeth wanted to be in charge of a space. Kiss the Groom features her favorite wedding and lifestyle images. It also showcases photographs of her children and her personal frames. Messina credits the blog with helping to keep her in love with photography.
Image copyright Elizabeth Messina:
Apart from giving love to Fuji, Elizabeth swooned over photography vendor Wax Works. Her romantic and sensual images are complemented by the encaustic painting of Leah McDonald. Samples are featured on Elizabeth's blog post here. (McDonald will also be at A Lovely Workshop in France.) If you'd like to learn from Elizabeth in France (and trust me, you do), details about her Lovely Workshop can be found here. Visit Kiss the Groom here, or view Messina's portfolio here.
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Obviously, Jonathan isn't known for his ego. He is best known for being a 100% film shooter and the creator of the Film is Not Dead workshops. Shooting with Contax 645 and Nikon F5 pro bodies, Canlas says shooting film allows him to be the kind of Dad he wants to be: shoot, develop, scan, done. His dedication to Fuji Film and to the art of the perfect exposure and composition from the get-go results in timeless yet fresh images that speak of his experiences. Because he shoots almost daily, Jonathan blogs six days a week. (Yes, SIX.) He believes getting his work into the world is the best form of advertising, and it's only by showing the depth and breadth of his own vision that he can attract the ideal clients to him.
Canlas outlined the six types of photography present in each wedding a photographer is hired to shoot. Traditional and editorial portraiture, lifestyle photography, photojournalism, travel photography, and fine art shooting all happen during the average wedding day. From capturing family formals to the tiniest details that often go overlooked, Canlas says shooting weddings has prepared him for every other type of photography assignment on the planet. (Including the high-end commercial clients he bagged by blogging his personal work.) He does his best to "make every wedding look like it fell out of a magazine" by telling clients' stories with the help of his well-honed shooting style.
The importance of vision to Canlas' presentation was evident early on. He encouraged each of the audience members to "Stop looking out." To look within, refine your style, and keep shooting. To stay off the wedding blogs and photography blogs that will fill you with eye candy but run the danger of muddying your own unique vision.
"Unplug and look inward."
Jonathan also strongly encourages shooting personal photography projects. You're "helping yourself and helping your clients by shooting personal work," as your skills and satisfaction grow with each roll of film. Canlas practices what he preaches, shooting for himself whenever possible despite his hectic travel schedule and attending to the needs of his five (absolutely adorable!) children. For example, Canlas schedules at least four hours of personal shooting time for each city he visits while working.
...and it was Canlas' personal work that brought down the house. After shooting steadily for the past 10 years, Canlas shot his first funeral a few weeks ago. All the skills he had honed in photographing the light in people was put to the test when a dear friend's baby died unexpectedly. Canlas cried during the introduction of this work ("Aw, man! I practiced this part so this wouldn't happen," he quipped), and the audience followed within seconds. Some well-prepared soul circulated a box of tissues through the room. (Thank you, kind person.) It was quiet-to-the-point-of-reverent as the slideshow played.
We lucky audience members were utterly heartbroken. Uplifted. Hopeful. Inspired. Grateful.
Canlas' funeral work spoke to the power of photography. This is all he could do. This is all the family would keep. This is the story's ending, told in the most eloquent way possible.
Photography matters. Jonathan Canlas will prove it to you.
Nab a spot at a Film is Not Dead workshop this year, check out his blog, or view his gorgeous work. And for the love of Pete, get out there and shoot some film.
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Awesome writeup. As someone who has interned with Jon, traveled with him for days on end, over a period of several months, he is as real as it gets. What he says is how he feels "flat out." There aren't many people out there who are "an open book" and I am truly grateful to Jon for sharing. Thanks again for the writeup TRA!! See you next year at WPPI!
(03.18.10 @ 12:40 AM)thank you all for the kind words. and thank you freaking totally rad actions for the most amazing write up.
i'm printing this off and sending it to every teacher i ever had. start with mrs kumenacker, my kindergarten teacher :).
(03.17.10 @ 11:47 PM)I've had the sincere pleasure of working with Jonathan for over five years in the world of publishing real weddings. I can't express how creative, respectful, hilarious, dedicated, and original he is in his work. Much, much respect to Canlas!
(03.15.10 @ 04:02 PM)I was there and it was one of the most inspirational workshops at WPPI--Jonathan is an amazing artist and really captured the feelings of the moment--WOW--there should be more people out there like him and other presenters can learn a lot from this guy. Thanks for making me feel those emotions again.
(03.15.10 @ 10:01 AM)I had the pleasure of interning and assisting for him last summer- and he is such a talented and open person. He will give you all the knowledge he has and then the shirt off his back, just to help out a fellow photographer. I constantly heard him say " I love my job" and I think it really shows in all of his work! He is a wonderful and kind person and I am grateful for people like him!
(03.14.10 @ 01:29 PM)This class was a gift to me. I have been so caught up with my business sessions, I haven't even stopped to take pictures of my own kids. Since being home for a few short days, I have pulled my camera out for more "personal" work than I have all year. Thank you Jonathan for your beautiful, heartfelt, humble presentation. Very inspiring.
(03.13.10 @ 09:14 PM)I was so glad this was the last class I attended at WPPI, although not a film shooter I was inspired and moved by his words and work. Amazing talent and so down to earth, I loved hearing from him in person.
(03.13.10 @ 09:00 PM)Really wanted to hear him at WPPI. He's an amazing photographer and wonderful person!
(03.13.10 @ 08:20 PM)He shot our family last year and those images are treasures. I {heart} Jonathan Canlas!!!
(03.13.10 @ 05:04 PM)I was so glad this was the last class I attended at WPPI, although not a film shooter I was inspired and moved by his words and work. Amazing talent and so down to earth, I loved hearing from him in person.
(03.13.10 @ 01:37 PM)Great Review!
I've been following Jonathan for quite sometime now online (still have yet to meet him though) and one of the reasons that I continue to follow him is not only because of his stunning work, but the fact that he does have a no BS attitude about photography... and this is exactly the way all photographers should be! Forget about what everyone else is doing and focus on what you're doing, how you're doing it and why. We photographers have a very powerful medium in our hands (whether film or digital) because we capture memories, moments in time and images that will be passed down for generations to come. It is people like Jonathan that have pushed me to go back to film and have my digital as a backup. Intermixed with personal projects you certainly begin to see a difference in your photography.
Totally missed WPPI this year... but then again - there is always next year!
Thanks for your kind words about the writeup -- it truly was amazing. And film shooter without the anti-digital hangup perfectly describes him, Maurice...:)
(03.13.10 @ 12:34 PM)Jonathan's presentation was fabulous. So happy that was the last class I attended. I could tell how much Jonathan was respected as a photographer and especially as a person. AMAZING!! :)
(03.13.10 @ 12:19 PM)He's real and it shows in his work and no BS seminar. Wisdom of film-era experience without the anti-digital hangup. Timeless images. And talent without the attitude. Perfect way to wrap up WPPI.
(03.13.10 @ 12:15 PM)What an absolutely perfect write up to this message! You got me crying all over again. I just adore Jon and his work... Thank you for sharing this!
(03.13.10 @ 12:10 PM)i loved jonathan's presentation! and i love his work! and i love HIM!!!! =)
(03.13.10 @ 12:01 PM)For those who are attending WPPI next week, please be sure to follow us on Twitter so you'll be aware of our crazy contests and giveaways! Even if you're not going, it would be smart to follow anyway. You never know what sorts of freebies may turn up...
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saw you and your beautiful wife walking in the main building on sunday. wanted to say hey, hi i love your products but was so shy! been at wppi all day today, monday and going again tomorrow. its great fun and i was glad to see you there--though i was hoping to see a TRA booth. hope you are having a really great stay in vegas and enjoying your time roaming. thanks for your actions and especially your videos on tips and how to use the actions etc. those are invaluable for those of us learning. also i have appreciated your excellent customer service! now i feel i have a better handle on what i am doing in post processing and your tips and actions have helped streamline my workflow tons! enjoy the week! cheers, lesli
(03.08.10 @ 09:10 PM)I'll keep my eyes open for you guys. It's been since 2008 WPPI since I met you both and was introduced to TRA. Benn hooked ever since...like a crack head! LOL
(03.02.10 @ 08:44 AM)Just take me with you and there won't be a problem. I want to vote for more than one! Keep us up on everything you possibly can! :-)
(03.02.10 @ 08:27 AM)
If you like what you see, head on over to the website and pick 'em up. Just $99.
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wow! just looking at all the splash screens brought back memories.. i started with version 2
(02.09.10 @ 06:21 AM)
I've been feeling the desire to go back to film for a long time now...as my digital images just don't have the look I want (which if film-esque). Why do you think all these big pro shooters are returning back to film? I was noticing more and more people doing it, why do you think that is? What's your thoughts on it?
(03.18.10 @ 04:15 PM)Oh, Elizabeth! I ADORE her work and am saving my pennies to join her in France some day.
(03.16.10 @ 05:48 PM)I'm a huge fan of Elizabteh Messina!!!! Too bad I can't afford her gorgeous workshop in France. :(
(03.16.10 @ 05:12 PM)elizabeth messina is such an inspiration! I follow her blog, and was over the moon excited that she had information on encaustic wax working as it's been something i've been interested in trying for some time now... mixing your love/passion with business is what being a professional photographer is all about and she's a perfect example that it can be done, done your way and done well! thanks for featuring her here :)
(03.16.10 @ 11:15 AM)Sooooo lovely. But isn't Elizabeth's work always just so lovely? I heard her speak last year and it was a joy to hear a different perspective.
(03.16.10 @ 08:44 AM)LOVE THIS!! And the piece on Jonathan too. Thanks!
(03.16.10 @ 07:44 AM)What? nobody commented on this yesterday? I had never heard of her before, and I think I'm in love. haha. I'm a little upset with you, though, because before yesterday I was blissfully unaware of her workshop in France that sounds like a dream and that I will never be able to afford in this lifetime :(
(03.16.10 @ 07:41 AM)