The incredibly talented and generous photographer ****Dennys Ilic joins host Paris Chong. Dennys shares insights into his world, from his passion for charity work—including an upcoming event for Heal the Bay with the Property Brothers' Drew and Linda Scott—to his history with the famous TV personality, whom he first met doing headshots before the show even existed. He also opens up about his personal 'exotic location only' rule for shooting weddings, a policy that has taken him to Italy and the Amalfi Coast for past clients, including Drew Scott.
Dennys dives into his recent six-month experience working as a stills photographer on a top-secret Marvel project, the *Vision* limited series, at the legendary Pinewood Studios in London. He reveals the striking contrast between the bustling film industry in the UK, where work is abundant, and the fiercely competitive market back in LA. This eye-opening difference has him seriously contemplating a permanent move to London, despite the challenges of immigration and the unexpected hot, humid weather—and the notable lack of air conditioning. Hear his take on the future of film production and why the grass might be greener across the pond.
The conversation wraps up with exciting news about Dennys's upcoming joint gallery show with actor Billy Zane, a reunion event that promises to be just as massive as their last, fire-hazard-inducing exhibition. Dennys discusses his creative pivot for the new show, moving away from commercial portraiture to a mix of striking landscape and architectural work. And, as always, he brings gifts, presenting Paris with beautiful prints of Alanis Morissette and Liv Tyler. Plus, don't miss the details on his unexpected side hustle: the unique and highly-demanded sourdough "Den Bread" that has friends and even Australian entrepreneurs urging him to turn it into a commercial business!
Show Notes:
www.theparischongshow.com/episodes/dennys-ilic-from-hollywood-headshots-to-marvel-stills-and-london-dreams
Chapters:
(00:00:00) Intro
(00:00:33) Dennys Ilic
(00:01:28) Property Brother
(00:06:20) London's Calling
(00:10:49) Double Show 2 @ Leica Gallery
(00:15:55) Brought you a Present
(00:18:55) Moving is Hard
(00:23:12) Photo Subjects of Choice
(00:28:32) Dennys' Dream Job
(00:32:59) Revisiting
(00:36:00) Photos of Alanis
(00:40:28) Where to see more Dennys
(00:43:53) Outro
🎵 Music by Andrew Raiher https://andrewraiher.com/
📸 Shot & Edited at Visible Audio Studios https://www.visibleaudiostudios.com
Jeff Dunas and Paris Chong contrast the deliberate, psychologically significant process of film photography, with its 36-shot limit, against the expansive, sometimes less focused, nature of digital. Dunas recounts his role in connecting fellow photographer Ralph Gibson with Leica, a company Dunas has worked with since the early eighties, and he is encouraged to submit his own work for recognition. The conversation pivots to the Palm Springs Photo Festival, which Paris Chong notes was the start of her portfolio review career. Dunas emphasizes that the festival's unique structure positioned the portfolio reviews as an effective "job fair," successfully connecting photographers with editors and publishers to advance their careers and secure work.
Show Clip from The Paris Chong Show with Jeff Dunas
https://youtu.be/DRTByJF3HtU
https://www.theparischongshow.com
🎵 Music by Andrew Raiher https://andrewraiher.com/
📸 Shot & Edited at Visible Audio Studios https://www.visibleaudiostudios.com
#photography #filmphotography #digitalphotography
Jeff Dunas's career in nude photography, which he says he is "famous for" if you’re older. He recounts his work for Playboy in his late teens. Dunas showcases his book of nudes, a 30-year collection spanning from 1970 to 2016, noting that the photos were all shot with Leica M-series cameras (M3s and M6s), mostly in Europe. He also discusses his other books made during COVID, revealing he self-designed and printed them using the service Blurb to create high-quality "dummies" for potential publishers.
Show Clip from The Paris Chong Show with Jeff Dunas
https://youtu.be/DRTByJF3HtU
https://www.theparischongshow.com
🎵 Music by Andrew Raiher https://andrewraiher.com/
📸 Shot & Edited at Visible Audio Studios https://www.visibleaudiostudios.com
#photography #hughhefner #playboy
Jeff Dunas and Paris Chong discuss how, especially within the Leica community, photographers now embrace networking and shared passion, contrasting with an earlier time when professionals guarded their secrets. Dunas emphasizes that the Palm Springs Photo Festival's portfolio reviews were designed as a "job fair" to facilitate career-changing connections, and they muse over the unique culture of Leica users who treat their cameras as both a professional statement and a valued object, often bringing them to social events and showcasing their investment in the craft. This culture is further juxtaposed with the changing technical landscape, contrasting the thoughtful, limited-shot process of film photography with the endless shooting and extensive editing of the digital era.
Show Clip from The Paris Chong Show with Jeff Dunas
https://youtu.be/DRTByJF3HtU
https://www.theparischongshow.com
🎵 Music by Andrew Raiher https://andrewraiher.com/
📸 Shot & Edited at Visible Audio Studios https://www.visibleaudiostudios.com
#photography #photographers #leica
Jeff Dunas and Paris Chong discuss their travel experiences and connections to the photography world. Dunas describes his trip to Dubai, noting the massive construction with a "forest of cranes" and the surreal nature of the man-made environment. The conversation then shifts to Paris Chong's upcoming trip to the House of Leica in Greece, which is happening right before her international gallerist meeting in Wetzlar, Germany. They then discuss Hossein Ani, the founder of the Loosies and Paris's former boss, who co-founded the Palm Springs Photo Festival with Dunas. Dunas notes that Ani has not returned to America, and is now running his galleries in various international locations, including Budapest and Thailand, having found his element in the global art scene.
Show Clip from The Paris Chong Show with Jeff Dunas
https://youtu.be/DRTByJF3HtU
https://www.theparischongshow.com
🎵 Music by Andrew Raiher https://andrewraiher.com/
📸 Shot & Edited at Visible Audio Studios https://www.visibleaudiostudios.com
#dubai #photography #podcast
Paris Chong welcomes back renowned photographer Jeff Dunas, who dives into the photographic books he produced during the COVID-19 pandemic, primarily from his archive. These projects include a small, limited-edition book with publisher Nazraeli called *Highway 61 to Honeyboy*, a Renaissance garden book, and a collection of his American pictures. He discusses the changing landscape of photo book publishing, particularly the unique crowd-sourced model used by Michelle from Minor Matters, who also designed his earlier book, *State of the Blues*. Dunas also reflects on his early career, including his widely known nude photography for Playboy while in his late teens.
Dunas shares his deep connection to Leica cameras, which he has used since the early eighties, noting he still owns an M3 and M7. He highlights his attachment to the M9 Monochrome, calling it "perfect" for black and white work—like shooting an M6 with Tri-X film. He contrasts the slow, deliberate process of shooting with film (the psychological importance of a 36-picture limit) and the mastery of the darkroom with the current, faster pace of digital photography. He likens his new hobby of making sourdough bread to the focused, scientific process of working in a darkroom.
The conversation also covers the Palm Springs Photo Festival, which Dunas co-founded and ran for 17 years. He proudly defines its portfolio reviews not as critique sessions, but as a crucial "job fair," connecting emerging photographers with industry people who could hire, publish, or exhibit their work. While the festival itself is currently on hold due to the high costs of maintaining its high-quality faculty, the reviews continue online. Finally, Jeff discusses his successful "Palm Springs Photo Festival podcast," which he started in 2020 to maintain a sense of community during the pandemic. You can find Jeff Dunas's work on his website, dunes.com.
Show Notes:
www.theparischongshow.com/episodes/jeff-dunas-passion-projects-publishing-art-books-palm-springs-photo-festival-leica
Chapters:
(00:00:00) Intro
(00:00:51) Jeff Dunas
(00:01:19) A Few New Books
(00:05:07) Paris's First Art Book
(00:08:28) Famous For Nudes
(00:11:25) Super Rare Books
(00:15:26) Palm Springs Photo Festival
(00:18:48) Marker 12
(00:22:45) Leica Store
(00:25:24) Other Hobbies
(00:32:25) Didn't Know You Had A Daughter
(00:36:26) Landscape - Palisades Fire Talk
(00:39:04) What's Next?
(00:46:33) Outro
🎵 Music by Andrew Raiher https://andrewraiher.com/
📸 Shot & Edited at Visible Audio Studios https://www.visibleaudiostudios.com
Costume designer Mona May dives into the iconic fashion of *Clueless*, revealing how she transformed Jane Austen's *Emma* into a high-fashion, colorful aesthetic for 1990s Beverly Hills high schoolers, moving past the era's grunge trend with plaids, Mary Janes, and berets. She discusses her continued work with cast members like Alicia Silverstone and shares her concerns about the struggles facing the film industry in Los Angeles as productions increasingly move to places like Bulgaria and Ireland for financial incentives. Finally, Mona May explains how her Polish-German background and her birthplace in India, where she first experienced a world of bright color, profoundly shaped her signature design style and love for using color in her films.
Show Clip from The Paris Chong Show with Mona May
https://youtu.be/ggFe8n7f5Eo
https://www.theparischongshow.com
🎵 Music by Andrew Raiher https://andrewraiher.com/
📸 Shot & Edited at Visible Audio Studios https://www.visibleaudiostudios.com
#clueless #janeausten #film
Costume designer Mona May's new book celebrates the 30th anniversary of the movie *Clueless*. Mona May confirms that she wrote the book with the help of a ghostwriter, a fashion writer who lives in Los Angeles and understood the book's themes of friendship, girls, and fashion. The conversation details how Mona May designed the book, which is a "coffee table book" with pictures, process discussions, and interviews with actors and the director, taking about a year to put together. The discussion also touches upon the general decline in writing skills and the importance of handwriting and journaling for creativity.
Show Clip from The Paris Chong Show with Mona May
https://youtu.be/ggFe8n7f5Eo
https://www.theparischongshow.com
🎵 Music by Andrew Raiher https://andrewraiher.com/
📸 Shot & Edited at Visible Audio Studios https://www.visibleaudiostudios.com
#clueless #costumedesign #monamay
Costume designer Mona May (Clueless, Romy and Michele's High School Reunion) and Paris Chong lament over the missed opportunity for Mona May to have been the costume designer for the *****Barbie* movie. They dive into the complexities of forming relationships in the industry, the grueling life of production (including Paris's one awful experience on the set of *Starship Troopers*!), and why dating in LA is so tough. Mona May is also crowned the "Queen of the Nineties" as she lists her classic film credits and reveals her unique process for sourcing materials and creating the iconic looks for movies like *Enchanted*.
Show Clip from The Paris Chong Show with Mona May
https://youtu.be/ggFe8n7f5Eo
https://www.theparischongshow.com
🎵 Music by Andrew Raiher https://andrewraiher.com/
📸 Shot & Edited at Visible Audio Studios https://www.visibleaudiostudios.com
#Clueless #MonaMay #CostumeDesign #bookpublishing
Costume designer Mona May explains the immense power of costume design, noting that an actor's clothing instantly conveys their character's "psychology" and socio-economic status. She pulls back the curtain on her process, revealing her large team of artisans—including pattern makers, tailors, and dyers—that allows her to manage large projects like Enchanted and typically stay off-set, contrasting this with the constant presence required for the frequent changes in Clueless. Mona May offers crucial career advice for aspiring designers, emphasizing the need for passion, a love for film, and flexibility to embrace a "gypsy" lifestyle of constant travel. Finally, she discusses her current focus on the Clueless 30th-anniversary book (written with a ghostwriter) and her book tour.
Show Clip from The Paris Chong Show with Mona Mayhttps://youtu.be/ggFe8n7f5Eo
https://www.theparischongshow.com
🎵 Music by Andrew Raiher https://andrewraiher.com/📸 Shot & Edited at Visible Audio Studios https://www.visibleaudiostudios.com
#careeradvice #monamay #clueless #hollywood
Costume designer Mona May joins Paris Chong to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the iconic film "Clueless." Mona shares insights into her creative process for the movie's memorable fashion, including Alicia Silverstone's 63 costume changes, and how the script, based on Jane Austen's "Emma," influenced the high-fashion yet youthful looks. She discusses reinventing 90s grunge with plaids, Mary Janes, and berets, drawing inspiration from runways while adapting for 16-year-olds.
Mona also talks about her continued work with "Clueless" stars like Alicia Silverstone and Elisa Donovan, and the challenges facing the film industry in Los Angeles, with many productions moving overseas for cost-saving measures. She recounts her experiences working in places like Bulgaria and Berlin, highlighting the difficulties of sourcing materials and adapting to different working styles. Mona expresses her passion for color, influenced by her birth in India, and how it translates into her signature costume designs for films like "Enchanted" and "Romy and Michele's High School Reunion."
The conversation also touches on Mona's recently published book about "Clueless," her upcoming book tour and master classes at film schools, and her dream costume design projects (like "Barbie"). She offers advice to aspiring costume designers, emphasizing passion, flexibility with travel, and the importance of mentoring. Mona also discusses the significance of costume design in character development and the current state of the industry.
Show Notes:
www.theparischongshow.com/episodes/mona-may-costume-designer-of-clueless-and-your-other-favorites-movies
Chapter Times:
(00:00:00) Intro
(00:00:42) Mona May / 30years of Clueless
(00:03:49) Actor's Request
(00:07:39) Romy & Michele's
(00:08:24) Book Tour
(00:13:00) Teaching at SCAD
(00:14:31) Dream Costume Job
(00:17:37) Sourcing Materials
(00:19:29) Awards
(00:24:20) Advice for Costume Designers
(00:28:16) Outro
🎵 Music by Andrew Raiher https://andrewraiher.com/
📸 Shot & Edited at Visible Audio Studios https://www.visibleaudiostudios.com
Alan Schaller candidly discusses his "meltdown" during the COVID-19 lockdown, attributing it to the sudden halt in his extensive work-related travel. He reveals that this period of confinement led him to purchase a vintage Aston Martin, jokingly referring to it as an "early midlife crisis" car, which initially brought more mechanical woes than joy.
Show Clip from The Paris Chong Show with Alan Schaller
https://youtu.be/XeQEMtOU4pE
https://www.theparischongshow.com
🎵 Music by Andrew Raiher https://andrewraiher.com/
📸 Shot & Edited at Visible Audio Studios https://www.visibleaudiostudios.com
#socialmedia #photography #alanschaller
In this exciting clip, Paris Chong expresses her profound excitement about her new role as top curator for Alan Schaller's innovative photography company, Irys. She shares the backstory of the company's name, inspired by a beautiful flower, and eagerly anticipates the launch of this groundbreaking platform designed to support photographers.
Show Clip from The Paris Chong Show with Alan Schaller
https://youtu.be/XeQEMtOU4pE
https://www.theparischongshow.com
🎵 Music by Andrew Raiher https://andrewraiher.com/
📸 Shot & Edited at Visible Audio Studios https://www.visibleaudiostudios.com
#photography #irys #alanschaller
Alan Schaller discusses the challenges photographers face in the digital age, particularly concerning book publishing. He highlights how many photographers are resigned to not publishing books due to low royalties (often under 10%) offered by traditional publishers. Schaller then introduces Irys's innovative business model, which aims to pay artists a 50% royalty on book sales, making it a "game-changer" for the industry. He also details Iris's plans for physical galleries and bookstores, fostering a community for photographers.
Show Clip from The Paris Chong Show with Alan Schaller
https://youtu.be/XeQEMtOU4pE
https://www.theparischongshow.com
🎵 Music by Andrew Raiher https://andrewraiher.com/
📸 Shot & Edited at Visible Audio Studios https://www.visibleaudiostudios.com
#photography #royalties #artbooks
Alan Schaller recounts the significant moment of purchasing his first Leica camera for $10,000, describing the physical sickness he felt due to the cost and his hesitation to open the box for six days. He also shares anecdotes about accidentally dropping a friend's camera and his current collection of four cameras, highlighting his tendency to "smash" them into things during his photographic endeavors.
Show Clip from The Paris Chong Show with Alan Schaller
https://youtu.be/XeQEMtOU4pE
https://www.theparischongshow.com
🎵 Music by Andrew Raiher https://andrewraiher.com/
📸 Shot & Edited at Visible Audio Studios https://www.visibleaudiostudios.com
#photography #leica #equipment
Paris Chong Show features acclaimed photographer Alan Schaller, who discusses his journey into photography, starting from a crush on a girl to becoming a "golden boy" in the industry. He shares insights into his practice, including his initial investment in a Leica camera and his dedication to street photography, which he attributes to an "obsessive maniac" approach and a flexible freelance musician lifestyle.
Schaller also introduces his new company, Iriys, an "ecosystem" designed to support the photography industry. Irys aims to offer book publishing, an agency, galleries, a magazine, and a social media application for photographers. He highlights the company's mission to address challenges faced by photographers in the age of AI and video prevalence, and to create a supportive community where artists receive fair compensation for their work, such as a 50% royalty on book sales.
The conversation touches on personal anecdotes, including humorous stories about dropping cameras and a "midlife crisis" purchase of a vintage Aston Martin during lockdown. Paris Chong expresses excitement about Iris and her involvement as a curator, emphasizing the need for such a platform and Schaller's generous approach to sharing knowledge within the photographic community.
Show Notes:
www.theparischongshow.com/episodes/alan-schaller-from-a-crush-to-photographys-golden-boy-the-birth-of-irys
Chapters:
(00:00:00) Intro
(00:01:11) Alan Schaller
(00:06:06) A Funny Meeting
(00:07:16) Irys Photo App
(00:11:32) Lockdown Experience
(00:14:30) Irys, but for real this time
(00:19:33) Book Publishing & PopUp Galleries
(00:25:09) When is the launch of Irys?
(00:27:24) Traveling Life
(00:29:16) Featured Print & Sponsors
(00:33:18) People are obssessed with Alan
(00:37:25) Explaining the Photo
(00:39:30) How we met again, but different.
(00:46:56) Irys Launch Party
(00:48:03) Playing with Chaka Khan
(00:50:02) Outro
🎵 Music by Andrew Raiher https://andrewraiher.com/
📸 Shot & Edited at Visible Audio Studios https://www.visibleaudiostudios.com
Matthew Rolston discusses his early influences, which include growing up in Hancock Park, his grandfather being a doctor to MGM stars, and his proximity to Art Center. He also mentions his mother's collection of *Harper's Bazaar* magazines, which sparked his interest in fashion photography from a young age. He also recounts visiting his grandfather's office, where he saw photographs from the MGM photo studio, further shaping his artistic sensibilities. Rolston also humorously admits to sneaking into life drawing classes at Art Center as a child.
Show Clip from The Paris Chong Show with Matthew Rolston
https://youtu.be/SGbg4x9LIG8
https://www.theparischongshow.com
🎵 Music by Andrew Raiher https://andrewraiher.com/
📸 Shot & Edited at Visible Audio Studios https://www.visibleaudiostudios.com
#photography #earlyinfluences #mgm #artcenter
Matthew Rolston, a renowned photographer, shares anecdotes from his illustrious career, including his early work with Michael Jackson and his numerous Rolling Stone covers. He recalls photographing Michael Jackson as "the King of Pop" before the title was widely known, and discusses how Elizabeth Taylor publicly coined the phrase at Jackson's behest. Rolston also touches on the influence of artists like Prince and Madonna, and highlights his pride in shooting the first U2 cover for Rolling Stone. Paris reflects on the lasting impact of these iconic figures and Rolston's significant contributions to pop culture history.
Show Clip from The Paris Chong Show with Matthew Rolston
https://youtu.be/SGbg4x9LIG8
https://www.theparischongshow.com
🎵 Music by Andrew Raiher https://andrewraiher.com/
📸 Shot & Edited at Visible Audio Studios https://www.visibleaudiostudios.com
#photography #director #michaeljackson #madonna #u2
Matthew Rolston describes his big break into editorial photography, which came through Andy Warhol and *Interview* magazine. His first significant assignment was photographing Steven Spielberg, who was a rising director at the time, having just completed *Jaws* and with *Close Encounters of the Third Kind* about to be released. Rolston also reflects on the decline of print magazines and the shift towards digital and experiential media.
Show Clip from The Paris Chong Show with Matthew Rolston
https://youtu.be/SGbg4x9LIG8
https://www.theparischongshow.com
🎵 Music by Andrew Raiher https://andrewraiher.com/
📸 Shot & Edited at Visible Audio Studios https://www.visibleaudiostudios.com
#photography #andywarhol #vogue
Matthew Rolston discusses his creative process and the evolution of his career from editorial and advertising photography to music videos and personal fine art projects. He shares his philosophy on working with on-camera talent, emphasizing that performance and magic in front of the camera are paramount, regardless of the individual's personality. Rolston also delves into his conceptual art projects, such as *Talking Heads: The Vent Haven Portraits*, which explores the idea of projecting human life into images and objects, and *Vanitas: The Palermo Portraits*, a meditation on mortality. He also touches upon the changing media landscape, the rise of social media, and the future of visual culture with AI.
Show Clip from The Paris Chong Show with Matthew Rolston
https://youtu.be/SGbg4x9LIG8
https://www.theparischongshow.com
🎵 Music by Andrew Raiher https://andrewraiher.com/
📸 Shot & Edited at Visible Audio Studios https://www.visibleaudiostudios.com
#photography #performance #matthewrolston