156 - From Play Dates to Pro Work with John Gress

How do you build technical mastery and keep your creativity alive?

Photographer and educator John Gress joins us for a jam-packed conversation about the art of learning, the science of lighting, and the power of creative play.

John started in photojournalism but shifted into commercial and fashion work when the industry changed. Along the way, he developed a structured, repeatable system for building creative test shoots that became the backbone of his education platform—and leveled up his client work.

In this episode, we dive into how John reverse-engineers lighting setups from reference images, plans multi-look shoots with maximum efficiency, and uses creative constraints to avoid test shoot chaos. You'll also hear how he lit a 21-light, 40-player football shoot in a single day—and how you can bring that level of precision to your process.

If you’re feeling bored creatively and want to push yourself more, John’s blend of technical know-how and approachable insight will get you fired up to shoot again.

Episode Highlights:

• Structured Creative Practice Fuels Growth - John Gress emphasized using mood boards with 9–12 related images to focus creative test shoots. This keeps sessions intentional, avoids scattered experimentation, and allows for skill-building that directly benefits client work.
• Experiment During Play, Not Paid Work - He stressed separating creative “play dates” from client sessions—experimenting when not under pressure, then bringing proven setups into commercial shoots for reliability and efficiency.
• Workflow & Pre-Production Are Critical - Whether shooting a single model or 40 football players with 21 lights, planning the order of setups, gear changes, and lighting adjustments maximizes efficiency, minimizes downtime, and ensures consistent results.
• Growth is Cyclical—Plateaus Are Normal - Skills often spike early, then plateau. The key to continued growth is seeking new challenges, practicing regularly, and not waiting for the “perfect” idea or subject—just start and refine as you go.

Key Takeaways:

• How mood boards, model tests, and limited variables drive creative growth
• Why recreating reference images isn’t cheating—it’s learning
• How to avoid the trap of overcomplicating your test shoots
• Why no one can actually copy your style—even if they try

About John Gress: Chicago-based commercial and portrait photographer, educator, and former photojournalist whose career spans from covering breaking news to creating striking, high-concept lighting setups for models, athletes, and executives. Known for his masterful, intentional use of complex lighting and his ability to teach it in a clear, approachable way, John has built a thriving education platform, spoken at national conferences, and produced work for high-profile clients.

Discover how intentional play, smart planning, and expert lighting can take your photography from good to unforgettable!

Click here to listen!

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Links & Resources:

• Download a Transcript
• Milanote Moodboard Software www.milanote.com
• Ultimate Client Consultation Form
• Frequently Asked Difficult Questions (FADQ’s)
• Sales Sabotage Evaluation Tool
• Allison Tyler Jones Education Courses

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John Gress

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