Fotograf Wendell Fernandes

—Jste fotogeničtí?

—I'm not sure – my wife says so :)

—Jak jste se dostali do fotografického průmyslu?

—Long ago, a close friend of mine was getting married and had no one to capture their day. I had a simple Rebel Canon XTi and I volunteered, I look back and from that point forward I fell in love with the stories of people and their lives more than the actual photographic work – It fascinates me how people meet and how they connect and grow into a lifetime together.

—Jaké jsou podle vás nedůležitější součásti dobré fotografie?

—This is a tough question. There are so many things that can add up to a great photograph but I believe it all begins with a spectacular experience and interaction between the person registering those moments and the subject. Personally, I think this is the doorway to success and once this happens everything else will follow. People open up to you, they trust you, they trust your vision and creativity. A good photograph evokes reality, however blunt, drastic, romantic, rough it may be. Lighting, camera settings, location, ethnicity, culture, none of these things are as important as the actual naked reality unfolding before you.

—Cestujete rádi?

—Yes I do. Originally from Brasil and now living in USA for 15 years, every chance I get, I do travel to know whats out there. I have been to various countries because of these stories and I believe being open to it, changes our mindset.

—Co máte nejredši na vaší profesi?

—The fact that I can register moments that will live with them for the rest of their lives, this is impacting.

—Co se vám líbí nejméně na vaší profesi?

—Every profession has its stressful moments, but it comes with the territory, so I don't believe there is anything I can point out that is relevant.

—Jaká je budoucnost focení?

—There is already a demand for true storytellers, and I believe this will continue to grow.

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

—Generations joining together in one loving event.

—Jak zvládáte kritiku?

—Just like anything else, we can never grow if we don't listen and learn. From the "top" photographer to anyone beginning this journey now, we all began looking, learning from others. The secret is to be open, the next chapter will always teach us something else we need.

—Jsou nějaké trendy v oblasti focení?

—Nowadays everything seems to be done from a recipe book which takes away from the stories that need to be told coherently. Pinterest and many other sites cooperate to this trend, but I believe it is in our hands to change this. The other trend is that every photographer is now a "Photojournalism" style photographer but their work shows no sign of it.

—Jaké by měl mít zákazník kritérium při výběru fotografa?

—They should look for "Storytellers" – Not because they mention this "photojournalism style" in their website, but because they are more humans than professionals. They care more about the couple's stories than their own photo artwork. Couples should "meet" face to face and look for signs that will give them the comfort they are talking to a person and not a business.

—Co není dovoleno při focení?

—Pre-conceived notions and shots. I believe every location has a great amount of potential to look different even though you've been there many times before. "What fits the story of this couple, even though I've been here before?". This type of thinking will transform the way we shoot.

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

—How light affects moments.

—Co ovlivňuje hodnotu fotografie? Jaké jsou její prvky?

—Use of light, quantity of light is better than the quality of light. Also, lighting is probably a key element for moments to take place.

—Kdo může být podle vás symbolem 21. století?

—The one who is unseen, the one who is invisible, the one not seeking fame. Since we learn from each other, the stories should be what drives us all.

—Co chcete fotit?

—An African couple that has absolutely no glamour, but an amazing story.

—Máte nějaké profesní tabu?

—Not really.

—S kým byste chtěli fotit?

—Anyone with a greater experience. Perhaps Cliff Mautner or Joe Buissink, would be a great learning experience.

—Čeho se bojíte a proč?

—Missing a moment. Inside an environment that you could never go back in time, my fear is to miss a moment that is important to the couple.

—Jaký byl nejpůsobivější okamžik ve vašem životě?

—Believe it or not, I think it was a day, when I was being taught to love my neighbor as myself, as it's mentioned in the Bible. I spent sometime with a very close friend, a second father to be, and I could not believe how much I needed to learn this and how this has shaped my life.

—Pokud byste byli animovaná, literární nebo filmová postava, kdo byste byli a proč?

—I never thought of that :)

—Kdo vás inspiruje ve vašem životě a proč?

—Jesus the man, my father and all my mentors in life.

—Jak byste definovali úspěch? Jak ho měříte?

—Complete peace and satisfaction even though I'm in the midst of a crises.

—Byli byste raději oblíbení nebo respektovaní?

—Liked. I believe respect comes after. We need to approach and be approachable first.

—Jaká je největší chyba, kterou jste kdy v práci udělali?

—I can't recall one now, but I hope I don't have anything later either :P

—Když cestujete, co si berete s sebou a proč?

—My Canon 5D III and a Sigma 35mm and 85mm. These are my go to lenses for getting a great shot.

—Existuje něco, co byste si byli raději nekoupili z vašich pomůcek, které vlastníte? A proč?

—Not yet.

—Jak se vzděláváte, abyste pořidili lepší fotografie?

—Magazines, mostly fashion and arts, and always looking to see greater experience photographers and what they are doing and why they are doing it.

—Čí práce vás ovlivnila nejvíce jako fotografa?

—Joe Buissink's work probably.

—Jedna věc, kterou byste si přáli vědět, když jste začínali s focením?

—"What do I do if I turn this dial to M" :P

—Co byste rádi řekli skrze vaše fotografie?

—Register the reality of people and their personalities.

—Co vás motivuje v dalším focení?

—The stories of people I meet.

—Měli vaši rodiče být méně nebo více přísní?

—I think I received the best parenthood one could ever desire.

—Pokud byste se mohli vrátit v čase, co byste udělali jinak?

—Nothing. Where I am today is a result of the choices I made, I can only change the outcome by the decisions I make moving forward.

—Co o životě na ostatních planetách?

—Only God knows!

—Kdo jsou vaši hrdinové?

—Jesus for giving me life and enabling me to be a father and a husband and a better man than I would ever be without His love and mercy.

—Pro koho nemáte žádný respekt?

—The corrupt system of this world.

—Co děláte ve svém volném čase?

—Family time. I love spending time with my children and my wife.

—Jakou vaši tvář nikdy neuvidí veřejnost?

—Hmmm. I don't think I have anything that I don't mention. I'm a pretty open person.

—Kdy jste zcela spokojeni s vaší prací?

—When I can see a moment, register it in a great light.

—Věříte v tradiční role mužů a žen?

—Yes.

—Získáváte snadno nové přátele?

—I do.

—Kde byste rádi žili?

—Anywhere I can help and be more active socially.

—Co je ta nejhloupější věc, na kterou jste kdy přistoupili?

—Open businesses with others without contracts.

—Existuje život po svatbě?

—Yes and an abundant one.

—Máte oblíbený vtip? Povězte nám ho.

—- Knock, Knock!
- Who's there?
- Nobody!
- Nobody who?
- ...

—Máte rádi psy a kočky?

—Dogs.

—Koho nebo co nenávidíte?

—Nothing really.

—Nejlepší věc v životě je:

—Spend time with the ones you love and care most.

—Nejotravnější věc v životě je:

—A long mass in a wedding day.

—Existuje něco, co byste chtěli změnit?

—Not really.

—Co byste chtěli změnit na sobě?

—I would love to be more handy when it comes to fixing up things at home :P

—Co byste chtěli změnit ve světě?

—Gather all the rich and wealthy, and make an unbiased decision to change a country or a nation for the better. Implement better government and end poverty, one location at a time.

—Máte nějaké tipy pro začínající fotografy?

—1) Focus on giving people a better experience than knowing "how to take photos". Being human is more important than being a "business person". Invest in yourself first, your personality and your character, then you can prepare for the business part.2) Study a lot, read, and be inspired by whats "not" photography related.

—Kdyby přišli na naši planetu mimozemšťané a vy byste byli první osobou, se kterou se potkají, co byste jim řekli?

—Before you take off – let's take a selfy...?

—Pokud byste měli natočit film, jakého žánru by byl?

—Drama.

—Zítra půjdu a udělám...

—Probably answer emails, prepare for a 2016 Wedding Convention presentation in Brasil and perhaps meet some event planners from recent weddings I've shot!