Mar08_230Zen and the essence of being a photographer

Jerry D

Zen and the Essence of Being a Photographer: Philosophies of a Wedding and Portrait Artist

The life and career of portrait and wedding photographer Jerry D is rather Zen. One would get the impression that he has experienced many more metaphysical dimensions to life and sees so much more than a passerby when examining a face, a building or a situation. There is an outer calm to him, but it becomes evident that inside, this artist is processing and studying every word, angle and expression of the world as it unfolds. He’s analyzing and synthesizing with a goal to truly appreciate both his mÊtier and his client.

By Margaret Lane

In a world where many photographers experience passion and tell of the connection they make through photography using lens and camera, Jerry D, owner of Enchanted Memories Photography in Upland, CA, stands apart. It’s an interpretation that is steeped in an Eastern philosophy of oneness; oneness with, not through, photography. He is one with his camera. It all sounds rather metaphysical and spiritual, but as a photographer, having a complete awareness of time and place as to capture, in an instant, an individual’s essence for preservation into perpetuity is also a rather lofty goal.

Zen of the Lens

Jerry D’s life is a study in space and awareness. He grew up with a creative father who introduced him to art very early in life. His father put himself through school, earning a master’s degree in art while working full time. Jerry D admired his father’s career pursuits and recounts the time spent together in museums and life study classes with his father.

As a youth, his father’s camera became an object of fixation—he marveled at what was created. “My father had built an art studio for

his creative pursuits, but I wasn’t allowed to play with any of the gear or objects in that place. I guess this made me all the more fascinated,” muses Jerry. “I think back then my father would have preferred me to become a graphic designer or artist. But like most young people, I did just the opposite.

I became a martial artist at the age of 17.”

Jerry D taught martial arts classes as a teen. At 20 years old, he opened his first Kung Fu San Soo studio and made a living teaching. “By the time I was 30, I received the degree of master, which is the highest level of achievement. In my spare time, I became a licensed cosmetologist.”

A seemingly odd blend, this combina-

tion offered Jerry D deep connection to his customers’ inner souls and outer selves.

His strict martial arts background brought awareness of self and sense of space. His ability to make customers look beautiful on the outside (through hair and makeup) offered the ideal canvas for a photographer looking to shoot interesting, passionate images.

At 33, Jerry D had a camera in hand—a gift from a friend. He immediately fell in love: The way the camera felt and everything about it was right. At the salon, his camera became his best friend. After he’d finish styling clients, he’d snap images of them “I would use that photo as a tool to allow clients to see just how beautiful they looked,” he says. “I’d show them the photo and I’d see their insecurities melt away. I knew that image would objectively display their natural beauty.

“They may have come in feeling unattractive, but after styling and talking with them and learning about them, I was able to find their best angle. I could show them through my eyes how beautiful they were.

They saw the difference and I saw how photography can make such a change in peoples’ lives.”

So Started a Career in Photography

Romantic, passionate, sexy and full of emotion. Each word touches at a piece of Jerry D’s artwork. There is drama and color, a signature flourish and always a connection to the subject.

“When I photograph I see paintings that help me visualize and feel my way into

what my clients want,” he states. “I strive to create art that makes them feel that moment and that love. I want to capture their personalities.”

Jerry D brings with him an appreciation and understanding of body and soul, plus the desire of his subjects to truly look their best in images. A few tactile tools of his

trade include a Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III and a Fujifilm Finepix S5 Pro, Mac computers, Photoshop CS2, Nik software and an Epson 9600 printer. “I like using the best equipment. It’s important to know your tools so that you can choose the best for each situation,” he says.

“But I realized it wasn’t just the gear that makes you a good photographer. It’s the way you see light, your understanding of the client and finally, your understanding of how to get the most from the equipment; machines alone are not enough,” he says.

Jerry D harks back to building that invaluable physical connection to the subject.

“The most important thing I’ve learned is that we aren’t as different as we all like to think we are. We all have feelings and insecurities and fears, and the camera will capture this if allowed. We all want to look good in photos, so it’s the job of the photographer to ease that into view. Most of the time this comfort comes only through trust and connection between photographer and client,” he says.

Jerry D gains connection through his wedding and portrait work and revels in

each new project. “Every client is a new challenge, and each comes with personal and unique factors that I, as a photographer, need to understand,” he says. “Getting the best image is helped when I fully discover not only what the client wants both physically—size, quantity or style of images, for example—but also personally.

By personally, I mean how do they see themselves and how would they like others to see them.”

A good photo for Jerry D captures the soul of the person and frames it for the world to see today and tomorrow. In regards to portraiture, he comments, “Portraits display our immortality. They live long after we are gone.”

Getting the Look

It takes vision, harmony with a client and, admittedly, a touch of edit magic to create a signature Jerry D image. “In order of importance for a great shot: I look at the subject and determine what I want to communicate at that moment. I study the light if it’s an outdoor shooting, or determine how I will create required illumination using studio gear for an indoor shoot. I

note how the light falls and I find the composition I like. I place the subject to create the mood and finally step back to view the finished composition,” he says. “The vendors I work with are Photogenic, Larson Enterprises softboxes and Dyna-Lite.”

Elaborating on his art, Jerry D adds, “One of my favorite stories is about Michelangelo

and how he created the statue ‘David.’ He said, ‘I just cut away everything that wasn’t David.’ For me, this shows that an artist’s vision can be strong and clear enough to see in the mind’s eye.”

Back in his studio, Jerry D pulls up touches using Photoshop and Nik filters. Some of his images have a dreamy, otherworldly

quality tinged with tonal touches and added grain. Others have color saturation dialed to vibrant, and still some are softly blurred to create peace and calm. “It really depends on the subject and the theme,” he notes. “A photographer’s mind is seldom quiet!”

At his right hand Jerry D gives thanks to current assistant Arpad (Arpi) Szasz. “Over the years I’ve had many apprentices and each has cultivated his own look and style.

One in particular, Jeff Carrillo, is now a successful photographer in Beverly Hills,” he says. “A wonderful thing I have observed is that when new photographers are starting out they have dreams and an unlimited vision. There are no rules to stop their creativity so even mistakes turn into exciting, stimulating images.”

Connecting With WPPI

Jerry D is presenting a program at this year’s WPPI titled “Feeling the Passion.” The program draws on his life’s experiences and what drives him to produce passionate imagery.

“Sharing the things that work for me and my understanding of posing, lighting, makeup and a dash of Photoshop are a few highlights. I love finding techniques that bring emotion and feeling into the images we as photographers create. It’s fantastic to work with others willing to share their knowledge, their time and their friendship. Education is never ending,” he says.

He continues, “The best education I’ve received has been from WPPI and its staff.” He says the organization consistently does a tremendous job of educating photographers and helping many gain success.

“I look forward to watching aspiring new talent with their different perspectives that reflect a new day and age. I know there will always be new technology that can bring us together as a family,” he says.

“The only organization I belong to is

WPPI,” Jerry stresses. “It has been a wonderful experience to meet and work with many peer photographers over the years through this group. I absolutely appreciate the camaraderie and support, and find there is always something new to learn at this annual event.”

An award-winning shooter time and again, Jerry D counts 10 first-place awards from various WPPI print competitions, plus several second- and third-place finishes. One of his biggest accomplishments to date is a collaborative production on a photo book with Rangefinder editor Bill Hurter for Amherst Media (due out in 2009).

For more information about Jerry D and Enchanted images, visit his

ALL PHOTOs COPYRIGHT © jerry d

newly designed website: www.jerrydphoto.com.

Images these pages: Jerry D has always been fascinated with reincarnating his subjects exactly how their imaginations define them. Toward that end, he performs complete makeovers that begin with makeup and hair styling and end in a glamour pose. Photoshop skills, which Jerry D has in abundance, complete the makeover. Both before and after images shown here were made on the same day. Needless to say, he has created customers for life. These makeovers will be the topic of an upcoming book by Jerry D and Bill Hurter for Amherst Media.

Jerry D’s program, “Feeling the Passion,” will be presented on Wednesday, March 19th at 8:30 a.m. in Bally’s Skyview 5–6.

Margaret Lane is a freelance writer and amateur photographer. She has more than 15 years experience as a corporate communications professional for nonprofit, photography and technology clients.