Jerry Ghionis Unfiltered: 10 Random Questions for a Master Wedding Photographer

1. What made you decide to be an educator in addition to a photographer?
It was a logical progression because simply put, I just love bringing out the best in others. Whether it’s by photographing them and making them look and feel beautiful, or helping a photographer become a better businessperson, see the light or learn to pose better.

2. What piece of photo technology do you wish would be invented already?
A Bridezilla Evaporator!

3. What advice do you wish emerging photographers would ask you, and what’s your answer?
The question: “What should be my primary focus as I start my career?” And my response to that would be: “Consider yourself a businessperson in photography rather than a photographer in business. In the words of Daymond John, ‘First make, then master, then matter.’”

4. What would be your last meal?
Very easy: a Ruth’s Chris steak.

5. If you could be in any movie, which would it be?
Naturally, I would love to be Ice Man from Top Gun (because who wouldn’t?).

6. Where do you think photography will be in ten years?
There will always be a need for solid, consistent photography. But unfortunately, I believe the professional industry will continue to shrink. But I also believe that a clever businessperson will always thrive in any climate.

7. If you could have one superpower, what would it be?
The ability to fly, be invisible and have a built-in camera that takes photos when I wink and then transfers the images wirelessly—so basically a sky-colored drone?

8. What are three unchecked items on your bucket list?
– Be Ice Man in Top Gun 
– Create a Bridezilla Evaporator
– Have a never-ending supply of Ruth’s Chris steaks

9. What’s one thing that very few people know about you? 
There’s one job that I would quit photography for: being the host of a late night talk show. That would be my happy place. I would absolutely quit for Jimmy Fallon’s job.

10. What did you and your wife, Melissa, do for your first date, and when did you know you were meant for each other?
Just as you meet people in our industry at conventions and other events, I met Melissa about eight or nine years ago before we actually started dating. But I never thought of her in a romantic way (we were both married for many years). At one point, though, after we had both gone through divorces, Melissa was helping me at a convention and at a workshop. It was a pretty hectic week as I didn’t have much staff assisting me. At the end of the couple of weeks, we sat down to dinner and breathed a huge sigh of relief at having made it through the entire trip with such a crazy schedule. I asked Melissa if she felt strange being single for the first time as an adult. I then asked her who her perfect man would be—who was she going to end up with next? She sat back and said she hoped she would find someone she was already friends with, someone who had a sense of humor, enjoyed being around people, etc. As she was speaking, I saw her in a completely different light. When she was finished, I looked at her and (half) jokingly said, “That sounds exactly like me!” She turned bright red and was mortified but then said, “Tell me who you will end up with.” And I proceeded to describe her exactly: tall, short dark hair, blue eyes. After that dinner, we both went home to our respective countries but stayed in touch via Skype and long phone conversations, and before we knew it she was moving to Melbourne. But it was on that night that we both realized we were perfect for each other.

Jerry Ghionis is regarded as one of the most influential wedding photographers in the industry. He and his wife Melissa travel frequently for assignments and speaking engagements, though they’re based in Melbourne, Australia, and Beverly Hills, California.