DWF – Let’s start off with a little bio, tell us a little bit about yourself.

JOHNNY - I am a husband to my amazing wife Michelle whom I have been married to for almost 6 years.  We have a little 2 year old boy named Jonas who means the world to me.  I pray to the Canadian religion called hockey and one of my biggest fears is having to shoot a wedding on the day my team is playing in game 7 during the Stanley Cup final.  I am an adrenaline junkie and some of my favourite hobbies are scuba diving and snowboarding.

DWF – How did you become a photographer?

JOHNNY- Like most photographers, I loved photography when I was young.  My first camera was a Kodak that used 110 film.  Remember those?  My dad always let me play with his SLR as well. But I got interested in wedding photography after doing research for my own wedding photographer, when I married Michelle in 2004.  Back then, it still wasn’t what it is today, but I found a local photographer named Marnie Burkhart who’s work we loved.  I was so impressed with her work in wedding photography and it really peaked my interest.

Later down the road, I bought the Nikon D70 soon after its release and begged my friends to let me shoot their weddings.  I always believed education was important in anything you do, so I enrolled myself into some photography courses at SAIT. I wanted to learn from the best, so I also attended workshops by David Beckstead, Jerry Ghionis and David A. Williams that literally changed my life.

DWF- Who or what inspires you as an artist?

JOHNNY - The biggest inspiration are my clients.  They are the reason that I am there and they have trusted me to do something so very few people can do well.  When I look at their connection and how happy they are on their wedding day, it inspires me to no ends.  There’s a story to be told and I get to tell it.

DWF- If we needed a photographer  today why would we book you? What makes you unique?

JOHNNY - You would book me if you want an experienced professional to create images that are creative, beautiful, meaningful, stylish and timeless.  In almost every consultation that I have, my potential clients always say the same thing.  Every photo they see on my website is different.  I shoot my clients how they feel comfortable being photographed.  Whether it be soft or edgy, urban or rural, PJ or posed.  I don’t have 1 specialty, I have many specialties.  I can shoot anywhere and everywhere in any type of lighting condition.  However, the connection between the couple is the most important element in my photos and that’s what I try and bring out, first and foremost.

I never want my photos to look dated so I try to stay away from the fads and concentrate on creating clean, well lit images.  I truly believe that can never go out of style.  Another big advantage that I have is my personality.  Once you meet me, you will know how much I care and you will be treated like you are my only client.

I also tend to bring a lot of energy to every shoot.  I know that this always rubs off onto my clients. How do you expect your clients to look happy and excited if you are not happy?  If they are having fun, then it will show in the images and make them look that much better.

DWF - If you had to pick a favorite “Tool of the Trade” what would it be? and why?

JOHNNY - My camera!  Where would I be without it?  Shouldn’t that everyone’s favourite tool?  I use the Nikon D700 and the images that come from it are incredible.  The low levels of noise at high ISO’s gives me a lot of confidence that I can shoot a badly lit ceremony.

DWF – Care to share your favorite photographs?

JOHNNY - This first image is probably one of my most iconic images.  This is the image that won me the title 2008 DWF Wedding Photographer of the Year title as voted by the members!  I had this concept in my head for months before I attempted this shot but needed the perfect escalator to do it.  I had found one close to this couple’s venue that was perfect.  To my disbelief on the day of the wedding, the right elevator was already stopped, which would have been required to execute this.  This image was meant to happen.

(see the gallery below for EVEN MORE of Johnny’s work)

DWF – How about some final words to live by?

JOHNNY - Treat your clients how you would want to be treated if you were the customer.  Exceed their expectations and they will continue to love you, brag about you and refer you to everyone they know.

It’s not about making a pretty blog and buying fancy actions and contributing to the look-alike wedding photography world. It’s not about being popular or a “rockstar” or whose name you can drop. It’s about caring for your clients and doing your best by them. It’s about always continually striving to improve as a photographer, as an artist, as a craftsman. It’s about never being satisfied and always striving to be better – the best you can be.

Location – Calgary, AB Canada

Business Name – JT Images

Websites - www.jtimages.ca

Blog - www.jtimages.ca/blog

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