This past weekend we attended the Power of Passion Tour with Sandy Puc and the riveting Jerry Ghionis :) He makes my heart go pitter patter just a little faster when I see his amazing work!! I attended the Sandy Puc tour last year, and she mentioned his name, I was so new in the photography game that his name did not ring a bell. So I did what any other normal person would do…. I googled him, and that was the moment that I was smitten with Jerry Ghionis. I fell in love with all of his images, watched his videos and fell in love with his sincere unique style. When I would doubt my photography abilities, I would go and visit Jerry’s blog, and it would give me a piece of hope. Sort of like, when they play Eye of the Tiger in Rocky… and he gets pumped up!! That was me, when I saw Jerry’s work.
So for a year, I have been talking about Jerry, Jerry this Jerry that almost as if I knew him LOL. I counted down the days until March 13th to meet Mr.Ghionis in person. I have never been so excited to meet someone, the last time I could remember being that infatuated with an artist was when I was 12 and met David Copperfield. Hate to break it to you David Copperfield but your magic trick/illusions do not hold a candle to Jerry. Because you see unlike Mr.Coperfield, Jerry does not create an illusion as some may think, he is the real deal!! No tricks, no gimmicks he is 100% utterly amazing in every way.
As I arrived I was so nervous and had a million little butterflies in my stomach, literally. Then Jackie turns to me and says “There he is, there’s Jerry”. I froze, I quickly turned to her and asked “how does my hair look, what do I tell him, should I get his autograph?, come on what are we waiting for lets get a picture!!? What??? Do you blame me?!! I was 12 all over again!!!
So I took a deep breath and with my best friend by my side, I felt like I could conquer the world, ok, just a little dramatic but I walked up to Mr.Jerry and in my little voice I said. “Ummm Hi. Jerry, may we take a picture with you? He turned around with a big smile and in his Australian voice he said” Why yes, darling it almost sounded like you thought I was going to say no” In that instant my eyes lit up, and I had the biggest smile on my face. Jerry was everything I imagined him to be!! We took our picture with Jerry, and talked to him for a few minutes before the show. He asked Jackie how long she has being doing photography, she was doing all the talking I just stood there because I was smitten!!
During the show the most amazing thing happened, I got to go up on stage with Jerry not once but twice :0 I have no idea how I ever found the courage, wait yes I do… Jackie said lets go up raise your hand girl go up there, so I did :0 So as I stood on stage with Jerry I was so nervous and was trying so hard for my face not to turn red or not to start crying. I know, how pathetic am I but I felt pretty darn lucky. Also for those of you that are wondering my hubby gave me permission to swoon over Jerry he just said no kissing!! So as I was up there we held hands as he was demonstrating how to shoot a picture of a couple who had a significant difference in height. What can I say I was the girl for the job as I am 5’0 tall, boy I have never been so proud to be that height :0 LOL
Then the unexpected happened, he asked if anyone did not mind being touched… I said, ok ladies, I am sure every girl wanted to raise their hand, heck I know I did. So he took a girl up on stage and showed us a mirror technique to get clients to pose more naturally. Then the lights went down low, She’s like the wind came up and he began to serenade her. Boy was I jealous, in a good way that is :)
But, it was not how much I loved his work that made me leave that night saying I LOVE JERRY!!! It was his soul, such an amazingly talented individual with a loving giving heart. That is what makes Jerry stand out from all the other photographers I follow, He said “to be a better photographer be a better person” I felt goose bumps when I heard that, at it is true in every essence of its existence.
I wish we had more Jerry’s in the world then just maybe we would learn to love a little more, and see/love people for what they are inside before we love what they are on the outside.
So what did I learn that day, too many things but I left with an even bigger return in my investment that night, I learned so many valuable things. I left that night with a sense of piece, and love in my heart, and excitement for what the future holds for Jackie and our business :0
Thank you Jackie for encouraging me to go up there, I would have been a zombie all night!!
Our next mission meeting Jasmine Star :) Jackie get ready!!!
