Jonathan Canlas is a lot of things. A family man with five kids. An artist. A guy who looks forward to ComicCon. But he's not 'just' a wedding photographer. His WPPI platform, 'I'm Not Just a Wedding Photographer' was delivered to a standing-room-only crowd on Wednesday, March 10th in the MGM Grand conference center. He greeted most attendees at the door with a simple "Thanks for coming." (Who DOES that!?) The first time the audience clapped for something he said, Canlas blushed and half-giggled, "Please don't do that."
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.
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.
I don't know Jonathan, but ever since seeing his photos in my dear friend Christine Perry-burke's office, I feel as if I do. What beautiful work! Thanks for telling his story here. In reading it, I think I just may have found the courage to finally answer the siren song of film -- something I've never really stopped loving.
(03.28.10 @ 12:26 PM)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 wish I could have been there.
(03.14.10 @ 09:27 PM)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.
(03.13.10 @ 01:17 PM)Totally missed WPPI this year... but then again - there is always next year!
Great write up. Such an inspiring presentation.
(03.13.10 @ 12:53 PM)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)I so wish I could have been there! Canlas is amazing!
(03.13.10 @ 12:12 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 so wish I could have been there! Canlas is amazing!
(03.13.10 @ 12:06 PM)i loved jonathan's presentation! and i love his work! and i love HIM!!!! =)
(03.13.10 @ 12:01 PM)