HE SHOOTS, HE SCORES

Ilich Mejia comes up big photographing the Great One and his family for Roots


This week, in large posters in the windows of Roots stores, in colour ads in newspapers across Canada – and, lest we forget, on the cover of The Source – Wayne Gretzky, his father and son, appear together in striking photographs wearing Roots apparel for Father’s Day.

The images are the result of an extraordinary photo session that took place recently at the Los Angeles home of the hockey legend. It was arranged by Roots Co-Founders Michael Budman and Don Green who have been good friends with Wayne since the 1980s. They traveled to LA from Toronto as did Senior Art Director (and photographer) Ilich Mejia who arrived a day earlier to scout locations for the shoot. The consensus was that shooting outside would be more in keeping with the Roots style and sensibility. Wayne’s father Walter, his wife Janet and their sons Tristan, Trevor and Ty were also present for the shoot that was styled by Don.

“There was such a relaxed feeling during the session,” says Ilich. “It obviously helped that it was at the Gretzky home but more importantly, it was their incredible sense of warmth and hospitality that made things so conducive. They really made us feel so comfortable.”

The atmosphere helped inspire Ilich to capture three generations of the Gretzky family in a memorable series of photos that in addition to the current Father’s Day campaign will also be used for the Roots Canada Day promotion.

“What was most memorable about the whole thing,” says Ilich, “was just seeing Wayne Gretzky around his family in everyday situations and seeing what a quality person he is also off the ice. It gives an insight into his stature and what he has accomplished. You walk away from this kind of experience so inspired.”