Local Talent Spotlight: Jonathan Canlas

Today we are very happy to feature the work of local wedding photographer Jonathan Canlas. He also takes beautiful family portraits. If you are looking for a photographer with creativity, attention to quality, and enthusiasm, we think you'll enjoy this Q & A session. Make sure to follow the links below for more information. Thanks for sharing Jonathan!


Why did you choose wedding/family portrait photography?
I never aspired to be a wedding photographer when I got into photography. Don't get me wrong, I love weddings but I originally wanted to shoot bands and editorial portraits. While in school, I got asked to photograph a couple friends weddings and it snow balled from there. I love that weddings really give me the opportunity to explore so many types of photography at once: lifestyle, traditional portraiture, fine art, travel, and photo journalism. I also love the idea of documenting people's families and having the images be the images that their kids will look at one day and say "wow, mom, you looked so pretty!" (not that won't look pretty in the future)...



Why do you shoot 100% film?
There are so many answers to this question but the main reason for me is the look. I love the color palette and softness I can get shooting film. There is nothing wrong with digital capture or images. Just for me, my look, is completely and utterly based on shooting film. I have been film since day 1 and have no intention of ever shooting any other way. There is a certain tangible look of film that can not be duplicated digitally.


What makes your work unique from other photographers in the area?
I try to go above and beyond the obvious. And I am CONSTANTLY working on refining my vision through shooting personal work. I don't ever want to be the photographer that only picks up his camera for a hired gig. I live and breathe photography and am driven by the need to create images and document my life around me as I see it. I want the separation of my personal work and my professional work to be as small as possible. In my opinion, it should all be the same thing. I should not have a certain style of photography that is used for paid gigs vs personal work.


If you were to choose any photographer to take your family portrait who would it be? Why?

Do they have to be alive? I would LOVE to have the late Richard Avedon shoot anything for me or my family. A current photographer I would to have shoot me would be Dan Winters. He builds his own sets!

Do you have any personal rules for your photography?
I don't really have any rules. There are certain subjects I won't photograph (nudes/budiour). There is a HUGE surge in demand for these types of photos right now in the wedding industry. There is definitely money to be made but it is not something I believe is conducive with who I am as a person and what I try to emulate in my work. I am trying to document the inherent light in people and the subtle humor around us daily. There is nothing dark, malicious, overtly sexy about my work. That is not who I am. My work is an expression of who I am as a person: playful, fun, humorous, and at times intimate. So, whatever it takes to document that, is green light go.

Is there any "photography rules" you like to break?

I don't use long lenses to take portraits. I remember in school they would beat it into our brains that you had to shoot portraits with long lenses. I use normal lenses (50mm on the Nikon and 80mm on the Contax) and get in close. I like interacting with the subject I am photographing and I direct A LOT so a long lens would only make for a lot of yelling from far away :). I also don't use auto focus. I have all auto focus lenses but I just never use it. Everything is focused manually and shot on MANUAL settings. I don't even use light meters in the camera. I always have a light meter around my neck. Everything I do I guess breaks conventional current photography rules because I shoot 100% film. It may sound backwards and a bit archaic, but it is what works for me.


How do you deal with the unexpected when you are working?
Everything about a wedding is unexpected. Nothing ever seems to go as planned. Just roll with the punches and always keep your camera at your eye and all film backs loaded at all times. Having backups of everything is a must.


What is one piece of advice you've been given that you have incorporated into your images?

Photograph what you believe in. Your images can have a HUGE effect voice wise to all who see it. Choose exactly what it is you want to say, and say it loudly :). Also, don't worry about the current trends or what other photographers are doing. Trends are just that, trends, that will come and go. Do everything in your power to find what your style/voice is in photography and never relent in the chase of becoming better. The second you think you are good, you are washed up.



To see more of Jonathan's images visit his website here. You can also follow his most recent work on his photo blog here.

For those interested in honing their own photographic skills, Jonathan also teaches three day wedding photography workshops. His July session in San Francisco is already booked but we just got wind that another workshop will be held in the Heber/Park City area October 5-7. Reserving a spot soon is recommended.