What an amazing year 2011 was! Melissa I had the pleasure of photographing over twenty weddings around Australia, USA, New Zealand and a gorgeous wedding in Greece. The year started with two memorable workshops in Los Angeles with all the registration fees going to the charity that Melissa and I started, the Soul Society We will be sharing details of how those funds, including other generous donations, will be distributed soon! Melissa and I presented a further nine workshops across the USA and Australia and also presented a seminar in Mexico. I had the privilege of lecturing in Japan a couple of years ago with the incredible Sandy Puc. Before I knew it, I had committed to a 33 city tour across the US on a bus. Yes, that’s right. Melissa and I, Sandy and her team and several sponsors lived on a bus and presented to thousands of photographers which was certainly a highlight of 2011 and an amazing life experience that we will be reminiscing about for years to come. February 2011 marked my 8th year in a row attending WPPI where I was thrilled to win my 7th International Wedding Album of the Year Award in 9 years among other accolades. I presented a seminar to over 3000 people in the Grand Garden Arena at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas – the very stage where I saw Bon Jovi perform the previous year! I also finally won the only wedding photography award that eluded me after years of trying which was the AIPP (Australian Institute of Professional Photography) Australian Wedding Photographer of the Year! Speaking of Awards, I was also honoured to be awarded Diamond photographer of the Year by PPA for the fourth year in a row.
Although 2011 was filled with some great experiences, it will always be remembered as the year I married my soul mate and best friend, Melissa. I cannot begin to express how madly I am in love with her. When I was escorting her down the aisle, I’ve never felt so much raw emotion in my life as I did in those moments. I thought my love for her on our wedding day was at its peak. After one year of marriage, my love deepens with every day that passes. We laugh all day, every day. We are in sync with each other and we have a true partnership in all that we do. She has taught me what true love is and what unconditional love is all about. I wish you the same joy. Everyone deserves happiness!
Without further ado, I am thrilled to present you our wedding video which was created by the incredible Matthew Scott of MTS Films. Believe it or not, he was the only film maker on the day. If you are interested, he also presents workshops to aspiring film makers around the world. Thank you Matt for an amazing film! And a huge thanks to our photographers, Ryan Schembri, George Fragopoulos, Luke and David Edmonson and my nephew Zane Ghionis. Special thanks to Jesh de Rox for writing and performing the song “Shivers” in our honour.
I begin 2012 as a resident of the USA with Melissa and we are set to spend 3-4 months in Australia and 8 months of the year in the US and abroad. 2012 marks the launch of the Ice Light, a continuous LED light source that I designed and which was created by Westcott. Click here for more info and to purchase. After four years of sustaining my educational web site, I am also pleased to announce that the Ice Society version 2 will be released early February. It will be iPhone and iPad friendly and have several more features and a more sexy and user friendly interface. We have several weddings, workshops and speaking engagements all over the world scheduled for this year and many exciting projects due for release in 2012.
I am sorry I have not updated my blog as frequently as I would have liked. My wife and my clients are my number one priority. That being said, I will attempt to update my blog at least every 2 weeks with all new work and several exciting announcements. As of today, I will be updating the “photo of the day,” everyday as the title suggests. Hope to see you, shoot you, teach you, have fun with you, sing karaoke with you, hug you, make friends with you and spoon with you soon! Yes, in that order!
makes me cry. love it. congrats to the 1st year out of the rest of your lives together
xox
Your wedding video is an amazing peace of art and excellence! It’s so amazing to see how you love and treasure each other. Thank you Jerry for your generosity to share the adorable moments of your wedding day!
The video is incredible and no doubt 2011 was as a special year for the both of you! 2012 looks to be another great one – here’s best wishes for continued success, both personally and professionally. Happy Anniversary!
this is the most touching wedding video I have seen. It’s so much more than that, a wedding video, it’s a view into the unyielding love that you share for one another, one that I can still remember witnessing between the two of you a year ago. I hope y’all have had one hell of a year together. I’m absolutely sure of it!
Incredible. I’m, of course, in tears. It was everything a wedding should be. Happy Anniversary! Love you guys!!
Behind every great man is one incredible woman… can’t wait to meet you both in my hometown, London Aug 2012.
So beautiful… Thank you for sharing this with us, really amazing (Yes, I had some ‘man tears’) and, even spotted a couple of thinkTank rollers in there
All the very best to you both! —Simon @ thinkTank
Wow! What gorgeous couple, and what a wonderful beginning to Your love story. All the best
Thank you two magical spirits for sharing your love. It is a work of art …. and beauty! Peace and rich blessings.
Wonderful video! I congratulate from the entire soul! Loves and happiness to you!
Incredibly touching. I m in tears. So happy for you!
Jerry and Melissa, thank you for sharing your most beautiful moments with us “your fans” I am truly touched and inspired by your work, I hope that one day I get to be taught by a photographer genius like your self! I hope 2012 will be just as blessed as 2011 was. Have a wonderful new year sending lots of love and admiration from San Antonio, Texas USA.
So beautiful, made me cry, you guys are one of those perfect couples. Congrats on a wonderful year.
Your wedding video left me goose bumps and (of course) tears
I just fell in love with you both all over again!
xox
That was truly beautiful. Amy and I are so happy for you.
Miss seeing your images Jerry, never did see that shot you said was the best you ever took.
Just beautiful guys!!
Beautiful, both of you! As people and as professionals!
That video was beautiful. Made me a little weepy. I hope everyone has the opportunity to receive the kind of love that you both have…that is my dream. My parents had that kind of love. And it was spectacular to witness for everyone who would meet them. <3 Congratulations on your first glorious year together as husband and wife. It will only get better from here.
Much love,
Cheryl
i laughed, I cried…my heart is full of love for the two of you and the joy in my heart for your precious life you are building together…thank you for your friendship…I hope to find my one and only someday and you two inspire me to have hope to find him one day….MUAH!
much love and blessings,
Elena
Amazing!!!!!!!!!it touches my heart to see a live like yours….and Melissa’s happiness…..and Jerry’s eyes when he looks at her………..BEAUTIFUL!
Try the canon 1dx mark iv and you’re going to switch again. Jery ghionis i am a canon user. Im still ur number 1 fan. .
Dios bendiga su matrimonio.
Su amigo y fan
Aldo Max
[...] registration fees going to the charity that Melissa and I started, the Soul Society [...]… Jerry Ghionis Blog This entry was posted in Real Wedding and tagged 2011, annivesary, recap, video, wedding, year by [...]
Stunning! Absolutely stunning video!
Jerry Ghionis, you should have your own Bobble Head or Action Figure because you are an icon and a force to recon with. Mellisa a.k.a Mrs. Ghionis I would never call you lucky, you are blessed! You are truly blessed with not just a contagious laugh/smile but also an addicting personality and I feel sooo blessed to have met your acquaintance. ROCK ON!
What a BEAUTIFUL love story. Congratulation Matthew Scott you have truly captured the true love Jerry and Melissa have for each other. Now I need to go and get a tissue!!
I can’t wait for your seminar in LA in July. I am so excited!!
You both still bring me so much joy and so much hope. thank you for proving that love can grow out of hardship. I cannot even begin to tell you how many times I have thought of you both through the last year. I remember your words and hold fast to your council. When I think of true love and lasting friendship, both of you come to mind.
Wishing you love and light always
Sandy Puc’
i see your king of marriage
and that’s extraordinary:)
[...] But when Jerry and Melissa released their wedding video, I cried. It was the most intimate, heart felt wedding I had ever seen and everything about it resembled exactly what I want for my own. This is a spunky, non traditional couple, and their wedding was no different. They walked with each other down the aisle and I wish I could post a copy of the video on here for you but due to copyright reasons I can’t so I strongly encourage you to watch it by clicking here. [...]
I hope someday I will be as good of a professional and as happy as a person you are!
a beautiful love. thank you for sharing it with me always…Happy Anniversary to the kindest people i know with hearts as huge as Texas!…much love, Elena
Wow. Made me cry too. Best wedding video I have seen.
Really nice work, love the style of photographs. I’m also really digging the style of the blog!