Fotograf Chris Loneragan

—Za prvé a především – koho můžete jmenovat jako nejlepšího fotografa ve vašem městě? :)

—There are some amazing wedding photographers in Sheffield catering to all styles and budgets, but the best wedding photographer is subjectively the one that clicks best with the wedding couple and works hard to tell the story of their day. I hope that could be me!

—Jste fotogeničtí?

—No! Like many of my clients I echo the statement, "We hate having our photo taken!" For me it is about achieving a relaxed natural look, and I can only do that by chatting and laughing with my clients before I take their photographs. Everyone is photogenic and everyone has a visual story to tell – if I can capture something hidden within you ("love" maybe) then I will have captured a great image for you to treasure.

—Jak jste se dostali do fotografického průmyslu?

—I have been a keen photographer since winning a competition at the age of 14. As a grown up I shot for stock agencies and for fun until a family member asked me to take some 'extra' photos at their wedding in addition to their professional wedding photographer. Mine were at least as good and well received as the professional's and so I struck out offering my services for free until I felt confident enough to tackle a wedding for money. Over 100 weddings later I have a strong and successful wedding photography business.

—Jaké jsou podle vás nedůležitější součásti dobré fotografie?

—Light, composition, natural moments, minimal posing, a story to tell.

—Cestujete rádi?

—Yes. I have travelled all over the world.

—Co máte nejredši na vaší profesi?

—I love the speed and quick thinking required when photographing a wedding. There is a massive sense of achievement in producing images that couples love without spending a huge amount of time, sometimes none at all, planning and executing them.

—Co se vám líbí nejméně na vaší profesi?

—I hate selling, but it is a necessary evil of the business. I would rather just shoot weddings!

—Jaká je budoucnost focení?

—Pretty much the same as it is now. Technology will change, but it isn't the thing that makes wedding images.

—Co je výjimečného na žánru fotografií, na který se specializujete?

—Interpersonal relationships with clients. A wedding photographer is a friend, a counsellor, an assistant, a go-between, and a photographer.

—Jak zvládáte kritiku?

—Professionally on the outside, badly on the inside. It depends what the criticism is though – anything deserved makes me stop and think, and change and grow where necessary.

—Jsou nějaké trendy v oblasti focení?

—Yes, but you don't have to follow them!

—Jaké by měl mít zákazník kritérium při výběru fotografa?

—The personality of the wedding photographer and whether or not they like their images. Always meet for a chat and ask to see real weddings – in my opinion you should steer clear of photographers that just show images from styled shoots or portfolio building workshops as the real skill is in producing images in the pressure situation of a real wedding.

—Co není dovoleno při focení?

—I have witnessed other photographers being divas and shouting at or belittling wedding couples and their guests.

—Jakých detailů, které obvykle projdou bez povšimnutí, si může fotograf všimnout?

—Hidden hand holds, fleeting expressions, laughing children – too many to list. Details like rings and flowers are obvious and should be covered as a matter of course.

—Co ovlivňuje hodnotu fotografie? Jaké jsou její prvky?

—A truly valuable image tells a story. A great photo will do this with perfect composition, focus, exposure and subtle editing.

—Co chcete fotit?

—I love shooting everybody.

—Máte nějaké profesní tabu?

—No.

—S kým byste chtěli fotit?

—Annie Liebowitz.

—Jaký byl nejpůsobivější okamžik ve vašem životě?

—The birth of my daughter.

—Kdo vás inspiruje ve vašem životě a proč?

—My wife is my art critic and muse.

—Jak byste definovali úspěch? Jak ho měříte?

—Happy clients.

—Byli byste raději oblíbení nebo respektovaní?

—Respected.

—Jak se vzděláváte, abyste pořidili lepší fotografie?

—Constant practice and collaborative critique.