Member of the Month – Rocco Ancora @ X Sight
Member of the Month – Rocco Ancora @ X Sight
( www.xsight.com.au )
MORE PHOTO AND INTERVIEW : www.wppa.com.hk
Member of the Month – Nick Ghionis @ X Sight ( www.xsight.com.au)
1. You have become the Creative Director of XSiGHT since 2010, what you have to do under this title? Is it a very busy position as you are responsible for all the XSiGHT in Australia and over the world?
My role as creative director was to implement efficient workflows & unique post-production techniques to give the quality that XSiGHT is renowned for. With my knowledge & expertise in post-production & fine art printing together with Nick & Sharifa we have introduced a new range of fine art products that have once again propelled XSiGHT to the forefront of the Australian wedding industry. My role is exclusive to XSiGHT Melbourne.
2. What is your target or aim when you made the decision to take this role? Have you participated in polishing the marketing plan of XSiGHT since your joined into them?
When I took on the role of creative director, I became a piece of a jigsaw puzzle that forms XSIGHT. I am part of a team that can only be described as the best in the business. We all have our strengths and the key is to concentrate on what you’re good at.
3. How you come to the idea of XMENTORS with Nick Ghionis? Any specific marketing plan of it?
The idea of the XMENTORS came about when I joined the XSIGHT family. My passion for the art of photography and post-production was matched by Nick and Sharifa’s amazing business and marketing strengths. We decided that by each of us teaching our strengths we would have an amazing product to deliver our seminar attendees. It is all about taking your photography beyond just pretty pictures.
4. How do you keep a balancing role in Creative Director, Photographer and also Speakers? How you manage your work and time especially you are one of the most sought after speakers in the world in these years?
Having a great team to support me, allows me to balance all of the things that I do. Each person has specific roles to help the business run smoothly but most important is client liaison, especially when we are away doing XMENTORS seminars.
5. Any advise or suggestions to photographers who just entered the industry and thinking about to set up their own business; and also to those photographers who are already running their own company?
As photographers we consider ourselves artists first and business people last. We have to realize that we are sales people as well and a business plan needs to be put in order to succeed. You have to make informed decisions and grow your business and profit margin. Too many up and coming photographers fail because they don’t value their work or indeed their time.
6. When you have started your career as a photographer?
“I went to school to study architecture and somehow ended up doing Photography. I never actually completed my photography course. I was fortunate enough to be given the opportunity to do a traineeship with a very large wedding and portrait studio in Melbourne. At the time the studio was shooting over 300 weddings a year with 6 full time photographers.”
7. What reasons made you have such decision (to be a photographer)?
Just fell in love with the idea of capturing moments that can never be repeated and interpreting how I see the world through my camera.
A moment that can never be repeated but can be cherished for a lifetime by the viewer.
9. Do you remember what was your first set of equipment as a professional photographer? How’s their performance? Good?
When I first started to shoot weddings, it was almost 20 years ago, there was no digital. My first camera was a haselblad 503cx medium format film camera. The image quality of medium format film was amazing. As a photographer you really needed to know your craft in order to come back with great results.
The flash system i used on location was a Metz 45. It was used in manual mode…no TTL and of course a flash meter.
10. When was the 1st time you had your very first shot? In what circumstances? Was it an amazing one? Then immediate fell in love with “shooting”?
It was a portrait of my father that I shot on black and white film which I processed and hand printed myself. It was very early in my photographic career, but it made me realize just how much control i had in the image making process from capture to print.
11. After determined to be a professional photographer, what was your plan? Like setting up a company?
I worked for a studio for several years before I ventured out and set up my own studio. I felt that in order to succeed I not only needed to be a good Photographer and also have good business sense. I learned a lot by being part of such a large successful studio
12. Do you have any secret method to make your “perfect shot” if everything at the moment is just like a mess? (Like place is dirty, not enough lighting, a small room crowded with people, kids and dogs are running around, couple is getting angry and even yelling & etc.)
You really need to be malleable with your personality and take control of any situation. Having great communication skills is a very important tool.
Before we even consider taking a photograph we need to be in control of our subjects and effectively communicate our intentions to the couple. I never turn up to a wedding without first building some form of relationship with the client. This happens well before the wedding and it is very important that they understand also what is expected from them as a couple.
The main ingredients for me are as follows:
Your heart, your mind, and your eyes. You need to feel with your heart the emotion pre visualize how you can covey that mood with your mind and finally use your eyes to arrange the elements that create the image.
13. What do you think is the most important element in photo shooting?
The most important element in photography is LIGHT. You need to master the use of Natural and artificial light. By doing so, you have the confidence to create anywhere anytime. The other important tool is understanding focal lengths of your lenses. This not only helps you to control perspective but also it teaches you how to control messy and un interesting backgrounds.
14. Which place or country you like the most as you have traveled to so many places for shooting? And why? (Could be in terms of people there, scene, food & etc)
The most amazing place for me is New York city. There is so much to shoot there… the people are great and the vibe is just awesome. Having said that you can take amazing images anywhere. As a wedding and portrait photographer it is more about the subject rather than the idea of easily being seduced by the location.
15. When and what is the most impressive moment for all the years as a professional photographer?
Winning my first “Australian Wedding photographer of the year” award back in 2004. At the time I felt that I had really achieved my ultimate goal and was afraid of losing my inspiration now that i had achieved such an accolade. I pushed myself further and further from that point on and won it again for a record Four times. This has never been done before in Australia by any photographer.
16. Have you ever met any difficulty that made you very frustrated and even thinking to give up as a photographer?
I can’t imagine being anything else but a photographer and I would like to think that I will be photographing in some shape or form till the day I die. Haven encountered any obstacle that was ever too big to be overcome by the passion that i have for what I do.
17. When and what is your milestone in your career life as a photographer?
Being named as one of the top 10 Wedding photographers is the world by American Photo magazine. This truly has been a great honor.
18. Do you have any mentor?
“Early in my career, the amazing Yervant was my teacher and mentor. These days, I still find his work very inspirational, but there are many others in the industry whose work I admire, it’s just too difficult to narrow down to one name. Having said that it’s great to share Ideas with my business partner and amazing artist Nick Ghionis.
19. Which is your best shot? And why? (Would be great if you could show us)
I love this shot of the bride walking down the stairs and this beautiful moment presented itself. The parents were hugging with joy in the right hand corner of the frame unseen to the bride. On the walls of the house there were photographs hanging of moments that had already been documented in that family history. I named this image “as time goes by”, and was awarded the Grand award and WPPI for wedding Photojournalism.
20. If, you haven’t chosen to be a professional photographer, what do you think you will become? An accountant? An architect? A chef?
I was studying Architectural design before I became a photographer so I would probably say “Architect”
21. Any advice or suggestion could be given to photographers, especially for those fresh photographers?
Value your work and your time. Get plenty of experience before going out on your own.
22. What is your plan in the coming 5 years?
Recently I launched a new company “CAPTURE TO PRINT” which specialized in post-production of images and fine art printing. I still love shooting but post-production and fine art printing is also a passion and love to offer my skills as a master printmaker to bring other photographers vision to life.
23. What is your motto as a professional photographer?
Photography is a journey in the life of the photographer not a destination.
24. What is your motto in your life?
It is only by giving that you shall receive.
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