Wale A. » Nov 8, 2010
RM Talk: Gerry De La Teja @ Style & Action Photography
This publication of RM Talk is with a Photographer I actually met through a mutual friend. I first saw a couple of his photos he did for some of the Clubs in the Appleton area. At the time, I was then planning to actually do a photoshoot with my car, which frankly I just never got to. A while later, we then had a big birthday bash for the said mutual friend, Gerry was the Paparazzi on hand to capture all the moments and we had some really great photos. I figured I should get more insight to Gerry especially after seeing a lot of his work. I present to you Style & Action Photography.
Gerry De La Teja
Appleton, Wisconsin
Cameras: Canon 1D, a 5D, and a 50D. Lenses: 85mm 1.4, 50mm 1.4, 24-70 2.8 and a 100mm 2.8
First off, how did you learn photography, did you go to school for it or is it something you just picked up on your own?
I started learning on my own when I was 12 yrs old and I received my first camera as a Birthday gift. Then after graduating from high school, I attended a technical school where I took a couple of photography workshops. I have also attended multiple seminars in the United States.
What is in your equipment toolbox: cameras, lenses etc…?
- I primarily shoot with three cameras a Canon 1D, a 5D, and a 50D.
- My regular lenses are: 85mm 1.4, 50mm 1.4, 24-70 2.8 and a 100mm 2.8
What is the most important equipment to you?
Of course my eyes and my brain, but as far as camera wear is my 1D and my 85mm 1.4
How do you usually go about a typical end-to-end photo session?
I like to take my time for a shoot because I believe that most people tend to relax after the first 20 minutes, therefore it is easier to capture better and more real expressions. Usually I shoot on outdoor locations, but I also shoot in my studio.
Does anything inspire you when going into a photo session?
Of course! I get inspired from people’s attitudes, personalities, and looks as well as from music, films, literature, nature, architecture, and landscapes.
What are your thoughts on Film photography vs. Digital photography and which do you prefer or use the most?
I think film photography has a very unique pleasing look that along with its developing processes evoke melancholy and romanticism. On the other hand digital photography is revolutionary, more economical, and incredibly flexible for post-production. I switched to digital more than five years ago, but I often miss shooting with film.
A lot of the work I’ve seen of you are subjects, do you prefer shooting people over objects?
Subjects, definitely.
I have to say we had a lot of fun during the shoot for Mariana’s party, it was really cool having both you and Heidi shoot from different angles. The pictures came out great. Do you and Heidi usually tag team like that, or was that just a once in a while occasion?
Most of the time we work on our own, and only once in a while we shoot together.
Speaking of Heidi, did you 2 always have separate companies or was it something that just sort of happened after you met?
We had only one company for a long time, which is Heidi Lee Photography, and it was this year when I launched my own with featuring a different approach and target audience.
I know you just had a photoshoot with Katie also, I had to be in Chi town. I’ve always thought she had the eyes and features that would come out great on camera. I just saw the pix actually, how did that go and where was it shot at?
When I first met Katie I thought her eyes were really pretty and I was immediately inspired. It was a fun shoot that actually started kind of late thanks to Katie, and It was shot in my backyard.
I love the collection of photos on the site and how you categorized them. You seem to be able to capture people doing very normal things but making it look like ad campaign. An example of this is “Run” series with Lamont and “The Lifters” series. Speaking of which, Katie and I had an argument over “The Lifters”, she thought that was Heidi in the photo and I did not think so. A mutual friend of ours also sided with Katie, so I felt alone. Could you just clear it up now so that I can prove her wrong, was that really Heidi in “The Lifters”?
Thanks for the comment. It is actually not Heidi. Her name is Elana and I met her in the gym.
What is your best photo or photo session and why?
This would be impossible for me to say.
I know you also have a Radio Show with 90.3 WRST-FM Oshkosh. I have never tuned in, but would like to sometime. Ever since I moved to XM years ago, I just haven’t looked back. Anyway, what’s the radio gig all about?
I went back to school three years ago for the major of Radio, Television, and Film with the idea of producing and directing my own movies. I’ve always liked Radio and I wanted to have my own show, and since I have the chance now I went for it.
So umm, when do we get all the full takes for our pix from the party, haha…you know I would throw it out there again?
Haha, you are funny!
There you have it. If you are in the Appleton and Fox Cities area, you should definitely give him a buzz. Chances are you have probably seen some of his work around the area without even knowing it. Maybe we’ll have an indie film coming out from the mind of Gerry, I guess we’ll have to find out in the future. Stay tuned for the next RM Talk.
[...] Style and Action Photo. I have also covered Style and Action Photo here on ReelModels when I had an RM Talk interview with the owner/photographer, Gerry. This photoshoot was added to a new section called the “La Porte” series. See more of [...]