Can't Beat Real and Raw - Johnnie Jackson & Branch Warren with Per Bernal
What stands the test of time? That which separates itself from he rest.
Photos are great because they help document moments in time. Stories could then be illustrated and brought to life with birth of photography. Nowadays they are a part of every day life in the digital age and there is absolutely no novelty outside of maybe a new filter here and there.
Bodybuilding has been documented through the years from the lenses of the likes of Art Zeller, Bill Dobbins, Better Bodies creator Brian Moss and more recently Chris Lund, Alex Ardenti and Jason Ellis.
Per Bernal came onto the scene and consistently captured amazing moment after amazing moment and rapidly created a reputation of producing awe inspiring photographs that stood the test of time and illicit the same emotion today as 20-30 years ago.
Per first shot with Branch Warren and Johnnie Jackson in the early 2000's and captured the raw grit and energy that they have become known for and one of the main core values that we stand by - hard work and truly enjoying the process.
"We used to shoot for hours and hours. Then we had the idea that maybe Per should just follow us through a session and just capture it raw (instead of staging shots)." Those images helped sell out several editions of magazines for years.
Here are some stories direct from Branch Warren, Johnnie Jackson and Per Bernal as recalled from 20 years ago. One story continues to be true and will ALWAYS remain true - real and raw will always beat fake contrived material in any context.