Fotograf Laura Otoya

—Jste fotogeničtí?

—Only whenever I'm not faking my smile ;)

—Jak jste se dostali do fotografického průmyslu?

—I had always loved taking photos as a hobby but had no real knowledge on the subject. I was working at Citibank in one of those "dream jobs" that everyone wants only when they don't have it... I couldn't sleep, I dreamed with workflow diagrams (REALLY!) and I felt I just needed an escape. I bought my first semipro camera and registered into La Salle College. I took two courses and was just hooked, but never thought of pursuing photography as a career. After two years I met Gustavo (my fiancé and business partner) and since we both loved photography we took our cameras everywhere. Our friends began telling us that we took awesome photos and we should think about making it more than a hobby. We began investigating and went to a few weddings as second shooters until we felt ready to take on the responsibility on our own. We are both currently full time wedding photographers!

—Jaké jsou podle vás nedůležitější součásti dobré fotografie?

—Moment, emotion, light and composition.

—Cestujete rádi?

—I absolutely love to travel and hope to be able to see and photograph the world!

—Co máte nejredši na vaší profesi?

—Every wedding implies an emotional surge that renews me. I absolutely enjoy getting to know every client, helping and providing any assessment they may need, before and during their wedding day. We have made quite a few new friends thanks to this profession!

—Co se vám líbí nejméně na vaší profesi?

—There is way to much envy and nasty competition only based on pricing. Thankfully we have met a few collegues that share our view of being more human and friendly than competitive.

—Jaká je budoucnost focení?

—Brides and grooms who previously made the mistake of thinking "I have a friend who owns a professional camera" or "My uncle Bob will take care of the photos" or "I found a photographer who is INCREDIBLY cheaper than you" or even "my friend who takes photos for National Geographic offered to take my photos at no charge" are now alarming their own friends and suggesting they should invest in a profesional and experienced wedding photographer. Clients are beginning to realize that investing millions in flowers it not worth it if you don't at least have good photos to remember them by. So... the future? I'd say its just bound to be brighter every day!

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

—The emotional component in the atmosphere that you can feel, capture and relive. As well as the amount of detail and effort that you know was put into making the day perfect... and knowing that you (or us in my case) are the ones responsible for making the couple and their family and friends be able to remember even more than what they were actually able to see.

—Jak zvládáte kritiku?

—I try to receive it in a constructive way in order to improve. I would actually enjoy receiving more constructive criticism from colleagues.

—Jsou nějaké trendy v oblasti focení?

—I think there are several trends (some in fashion, others not so much) regarding the way you approach a wedding and there are also trends in the way images are edited and post-processed. None better than others, just different.

—Jaké by měl mít zákazník kritérium při výběru fotografa?

—I believe they should just love their style and approach on weddings and feel connected and confident about their choice. If there is any reason to doubt, rethink.

—Co není dovoleno při focení?

—Hmm... chewing gum? Wearing high heels? I don't know I guess anything that would be uncomfortable for your clients, their guests or even yourself.

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

—I would say the actions (emotional connection and complicity) between the bride and groom and the actions and reactions of the guests to whatever is going on. Practice makes us better observers in time.

—Co ovlivňuje hodnotu fotografie? Jaké jsou její prvky?

—I believe in wedding photography there is value only when the photo is actually valuable for someone. The emotional component in the photo can make it even more valuable, and to some viewers, more or even less beautiful. You may have taken a photo that is your favorite of all times, but if the bride and groom divorce, the photo will have no value whatsoever to them and will loose sense even for you. You may take a regular portrait of the groom with his grandmother and then find out that grandma passed a few months after... that photo is invaluable to him and very valuable to you, but may be of no value to others. So elements? I guess the main one would be love.

—Kdo může být podle vás symbolem 21. století?

—There's still more than 80 years left in the century lets give it more time ;)

—Co chcete fotit?

—Happy and enamoured brides and grooms.

—Máte nějaké profesní tabu?

—Nothing that I would consider a taboo comes to mind at the moment.

—S kým byste chtěli fotit?

—There are a few renown wedding photographers that I would love to learn from and see, but I believe I already shoot with my favorite person in the world.

—Čeho se bojíte a proč?

—I think I worry about the future that is meant to the following generations. I just see hatred, destruction and evil everywhere.

—Jaký byl nejpůsobivější okamžik ve vašem životě?

—Hmmm first thing that comes to mind was my engagement, it was at night on Charles Bridge in Prague with the view the Prague Castle. Totally surprising, romantic and impressive!

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

—Captain Planet. I would just love to have the power to "bring pollution down to zero".

—Kdo vás inspiruje ve vašem životě a proč?

—My fiancé and my family. They are motors in my life and I want to always see them happy.

—Jak byste definovali úspěch? Jak ho měříte?

—Being able to live happily, peacefully and freely. Finding the joy in everything you do (specially for a living), and enjoying both the simple and the complex.

—Byli byste raději oblíbení nebo respektovaní?

—Liked. I'd say most people that like you will respect you anyway. If respect is only a manifestation of hypocrisy, in the long run you inspire nothing.

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

—Hmm... I once sent an album off for printing and when I received it I realized that the bride had a black smudge on her cheek in the photo of the kiss. I went to look at the original photo and when I zoomed in I discovered that the black smudge was actually a huge mosquito. Of course I had to send it back and pay for the correction. I now zoom in to anything that I'm not so sure is a mole.

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

—A very good smartphone. It holds all important information, allows you to use GPS applications, access the internet, communicate with loved ones and take (good-enough) daytime photos and video. I've never had to travel without additionally taking my camera but it ends up being "too much" when all you need is a selfie or a fellow tourist that can actually take a photo that is in focus.

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

—While you learn what is truly important you spend on things you think you need. I would totally take back a few backdrops that I bought expecting to have extra time during the week to do lots of newborn photography. Whenever I need a backdrop I use different alternatives anyway.

—Jak se vzděláváte, abyste pořidili lepší fotografie?

—"Practice makes the master” and I do feel I learn more with every wedding we shoot. However we try to find time to do at least one professional workshop every year, read and investigate ways to improve and perfect technical knowledge, follow and analyze photos taken by other colleges (not only weddings), take online courses and watch good movies.

—Čí práce vás ovlivnila nejvíce jako fotografa?

—Susan Stripling.

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

—No matter how much effort you put into a photo or how much heart you involve in making the image the best, "beauty still is in the eye of the beholder". You just can't suffer or take it personal if in the end it doesn't even make the photo album.

—Co byste rádi řekli skrze vaše fotografie?

—I just want my images to speak for themselves.

—Co vás motivuje v dalším focení?

—The value that so many clients give to our work and the fact that the value of many of them will increase even more during time. Reading the testimonial section in our blog is a permanent motivation!

—Měli vaši rodiče být méně nebo více přísní?

—They did their best and surely made mistakes like every parent, but bottom line is I always felt loved. I think they should have been just like they were because that's what has made me the person I am today.

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

—I would have spent less on the unnecessary and more on experiences and travel.

—Co o životě na ostatních planetách?

—Seriously? NASA will surely answer this one better than I can.

—Kdo jsou vaši hrdinové?

—I have considered my father my hero for as long as I can remember. Total admiration <3

—Pro koho nemáte žádný respekt?

—People who treat you like crap just because they think they are in a "higher" place than you are.

—Co děláte ve svém volném čase?

—I try to spend more quality time with my friends and family. If there is singing involved, better yet!

—Jakou vaši tvář nikdy neuvidí veřejnost?

—Depends on the public... I am very sensitive but I don't show it much. A few wedding vows and speeches have made me cry in "public" recently.

—Kdy jste zcela spokojeni s vaší prací?

—Whenever we receive a call or message from the bride and groom expressing how happy they are with their photos.

—Věříte v tradiční role mužů a žen?

—I was born in a very traditional household but believe roles have changed for justifiable reasons.

—Získáváte snadno nové přátele?

—I consider myself a friendly person but I am not very good at being in contact with everybody. I've always hated spending hours on the phone (not even as a teenager that I actually tried). My true friends know they can count on me and I'm always there even if we don't see or speak to each other often.

—Kde byste rádi žili?

—A retirement in the Rosario Islands in Cartagena would be a dream come true. In the meantime I prefer to be someplace where I can travel for both work and pleasure easily. Bogotá is ideal in this case.

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

—Go Bungee Jumping off a 130 meter viaduct near Cajamarca, Colombia.

—Existuje život po svatbě?

—If I didn't think so I wouldn't be getting married!

—Máte oblíbený vtip? Povězte nám ho.

—I am so bad at jokes I can never remember any.

—Máte rádi psy a kočky?

—Both!!

—Koho nebo co nenávidíte?

—Hypocrisy and superficiality.

—Nejlepší věc v životě je:

—Having enough reasons to smile and laugh often.

—Nejotravnější věc v životě je:

—When you just feel 24 hour days aren't enough and there is nothing you can do about it.

—Existuje něco, co byste chtěli změnit?

—Nope, just go with the flow.

—Co byste chtěli změnit na sobě?

—I would be a little less stubborn and a little more wild.

—Co byste chtěli změnit ve světě?

—Lack of love, indifference, injustice, misery, envy and resentment.

—Máte nějaké tipy pro začínající fotografy?

—Start off as second shooters while you truly learn the dynamic of wedding photography... and don't just do it for the money.

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

—I'd probably just stare (or hide) and be totally incapable of communication. Unless they look like ET.

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

—Drama – hopefully taking place in an inspiring city like Prague.

—Zítra půjdu a udělám...

—Tomorrow is saturday... take a wild guess!?