How I overcame major challenges and setbacks to become a successful commercial photographer
![When I was 14 year's old I wanted to be a lawyer or a naval officer and then I borrowed my mom's camera and went to summer camp. Having that point-and-shoot in my hands gave me a reason to walk up to new people and make friends, something I couldn't do at my school because the die was cast for this poor and overweight kid. I quickly realized photography was for me and I set out to make it my career, overcoming some big hurdles along the way as I transitioned from photojournalism to become a commercial photographer.](https://johngress.com/wp-content/uploads//2021/09/lifestory1200-720x405.jpg)
When I was 14 year’s old I wanted to be a lawyer or a naval officer and then I borrowed my mom’s camera and went to summer camp. Having that point-and-shoot in my hands gave me a reason to walk up to new people and make friends, something I couldn’t do at my school because the die was cast for this poor and overweight kid. I quickly realized photography was for me and I set out to make it my career, overcoming some big hurdles along the way as I transitioned from photojournalism to become a commercial photographer.
Why I did a 180 when it comes to using a tripod for studio portrait photography
![Slowing down and being deliberate can be the key to improving your work and precision framing can reduce time wasted in post.](https://johngress.com/wp-content/uploads//2021/08/youtube_tripods1200-720x405.jpg)
Slowing down and being deliberate can be the key to improving your work and precision framing can reduce time wasted in post.
How many watt-seconds do you need for portrait photography?
![In today's video I explore how many watt seconds you may need in each situation so that you can make the right choice when you're purchasing lights for your studio and on location.](https://johngress.com/wp-content/uploads//2021/05/wattsecondsthumbnail1200-720x406.jpg)
In today’s video I explore how many watt seconds you may need in each situation so that you can make the right choice when you’re purchasing lights for your studio and on location.
MEMBER EXCLUSIVE: How to mount a canvass backdrop to a tube and then a background stand
![How to mount a canvass backdrop on a tube pvc](https://johngress.com/wp-content/uploads//2021/03/youtube_mount_1200-720x403.jpg)
Today were going to go over how to mount a canvass backdrop with gaffer tape to a PVC tube so you can easily hang it from a background stand.
The 10 things I thought I knew about photography, but I was wrong
![I was wrong about photogaphy](https://johngress.com/wp-content/uploads//2021/04/iwaswrong1200-1-720x406.jpg)
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