Family Workshop in Photographic Portraiture with Gus Bennett & Jennifer Zdon

This event begins with a guided tour of the P.3 exhibition and is followed by a hands-on workshop about the art of photographic portraiture. The workshop will be led by local photographers Gus Bennett and Jennifer Zdon.

Family members will learn camera techniques, studio lighting, composition, and posing in different settings culminating in a shared learning experience that will produce lifelong family keepsakes.

 

Gus Bennett

Gus Bennett has been a professional photographer for more than three decades. In that time, he has worked in the United States, the Republic of Kenya, the East African country of Dar-es Salam, Tanzania, Belgium and Mexico. He is a highly sought after fine art, fashion and entertainment photographer.

Gus's work has appeared on the cover of ESSENCE magazine, and in the pages of numerous magazines like Ebony, Jet, UPSCALE, and TRIBE magazine of New Orleans. He has had work featured on the New Orleans Regional Transit Authority Bus line in ad campaigns urging an end to domestic violence among women and children. Most recently, his portraits of African American women, was used on the official poster 'TRUE ROOTS" A Cultural Celebration of the 200th Anniversary of the Louisiana Purchase and the impact of the Haitian Revolution on the Louisiana Purchase

Bennett’s personal project includes “Speaking Walls”...a visual narrative of the individuals and communities that were affected by Hurricane Katrina.   "Patty Cake"...A project that celebrates the beauty of magic of little black girls.  "Saints and Sinners"...A visual observation about black spiritual identity....and "Rooms in My Mother's House"...a project that explores the beauty and sanctity of the nude black female form.

Jennifer Zdon

Jennifer Zdon’s photographic subjects include young rappers as well as musical legends. A graduate of San Francisco State University, she covers stories in Columbia, Europe, and across the American South. She has contributed to several books including: America 24/7, Louisiana 24/7 and America at Home. 

Her recent work includes producing flash multimedia productions, many of which focus on the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Zdon’s honors include a finalist for Photographer of the Year in the 2002 Picture of the Year International Competition. She has been a photographer for the Times Picayune in 1995 and was a member of the staff that won the 2006 Publizer Prize for public service for Hurricane Katrina Coverage.