The Paris Chong Show

Dennys Ilic, From Hollywood Headshots to Marvel Stills and London Dreams

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

Film vs. Digital | Show Clip

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

Unexpected Fame | Show Clip

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

From Secrets to Solidarity | Show Clip

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

Dubai: A Forest of Cranes | Show Clip

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