BRI Featured Artist
Gene Ho
How long have you been shooting pro?
Twenty years this year. I call it my love affair with photography. I remember all my first cameras. Pentax K-1000 to the Pentax P3N to my first real pro camera - the Pentax 645.
Describe your education & training in photography.
I took a photography class as an elective in college. I thought I'd take the class and get an easy "A." I ended up with a "C Minus" in that class. But I fell in love with photography. From there it was a lot of trial an error. But I had a head start because I used to shoot for a newspaper. So when I first started, I had an almost unlimited amount of film I could shoot with. I think I was shooting like 40 rolls a week - which let me get in a lot of practice.
What challenges did you face early in your career?
I tell everyone that my career is based on a Firm Foundation of Failure. There were a ton of mistakes. If we ever get a chance to meet - I would love to share some of those stories over coffee. But the key is learning from your mistakes. And really... not being afraid to swing for the fences. But I've never been afraid to fail.
What is your secret to balancing your
photography business and your personal life?
The secret is to have them tied in as closely as possible. I realize some people like to distance business and personal. But some of my closest friends are past clients of mine. More than half of my wedding guests were either past clients or my studio photographers. That's not to say I don't have a private side. But it's so intermingled that I hardly notice the difference.
Define your photography style.
I shoot “Grasshopper” style. That's a phrase I coined from an old TV show called "Kung Fu." The blind Kung Fu master asks his young student if he sees the grasshopper by his foot. The young student—surprised—asks, "How can YOU see the grasshopper?" The blind master says, "My son... how can you NOT see the grasshopper." The whole point? I shoot "Grasshopper" style. I set out EVERY SINGLE TIME to find things that no one else can see. If I go on location and someone says, "Oh! You should shoot it THIS WAY..." then I'm not doing my job. I find ways of shooting things where everyone else—after the fact—says, "Whoa! I didn't see THAT!!!"
What inspires you artistically (a person, place, movie,
you name it!)?
The children at Victory Junction. They are chronically ill children who get to spend a week at a camp. Pity them? No... Pity ME. These children live a lifetime in one week. They are my heroes. You want to live life? You want to live your dreams? Then learn from these children and seize the day. Take control of your life and LIVE!
When going into a session, what motivates you?
Oh! I love the THRILL of being half-scared out of my mind. I love it when someone expects the BEST from me. And I have to deliver! I love it when THEY see a beautiful sunset and they say, "See that!?!” And I'm half-scared out of my wits because I have to make that look BETTER than what they see with their own eyes!
When working with your clients, how do you evoke the
perfect expression
and pose?
Easy. By letting them be themselves. And by letting ME be ME. It's all good. Just have fun.
What business tip would you give the new photographer?
I'm not saying that you DON'T have to worry about the money. You do. But it's like a one time thing…or maybe a once-a-month thing just to double-check you're on the right course. Do your math. Make sure what you sell is profitable in the first place. But once you do the math, just go out there and don’t worry about it. Love photography and it will love you back.