Fotograf Erik Kruthoff

—Først og fremmest - hvem kan du navngive som den bedste fotograf i Dorado, Puerto Rico? :)

—I believe there is no set of criteria to judge who is "best". Different people want different things in their wedding photos and the goal is to find the best match for what you are looking for. I do know that I am good at what I do. If you like my style and vision than I am the best for you. All artists have to have at least a little bit of ego ;)

—Er du fotogen?

—A mentor of mine, Magnum Photographer David Alan Harvey, once taught me how to "see myself" in my work. If you are true to your inner voice and vision, you should be able to look at a photograph and instantly tell who made it. Good photography is a collaborative effort between the photographer and the subject. So, I guess the answer is yes :)

—Hvordan blev du en del af fotografiindustrien?

—As a high school student I spent as much time in the dark room as possible, learning the craft of photography: Shooting, developing, and printing my own work on black and white film. My teacher identified a talent in me early on and I eventually came to make a career out of it. I couldn't ask for much more than making my passion into my job.

—Hvad er de vigtigste komponenter i et godt billede efter din mening?

—It's a combination of three elements working in concert with one another: Light, composition, and moment. A good photo will elicit an emotional response from the viewer.

—Elsker du at rejse?

—Always! I am not a notch-in-the-belt type of traveler, though. I don't operate on a bucket list and instead prefer more meaningful travel and making human and cultural connections with the people and places I encounter. I enjoy a night at the pub chatting with locals over seeing a tour-bus tourist crowded monument or famous attraction.

—Hvad kan du bedst lide ved dit fag?

—Capturing special moments and memories that will be looked at and enjoyed for many years to come.

—Hvad synes du mindre godt om ved dit fag?

—Not really. Even during more challenging parts, I love to come up with solutions, be flexible and try new things.

—Hvordan ser fremtiden ud for fotografering?

—I don't think it will change too much. Sure, trends will change but no camera or gadget or software can ever replace an artist's eye.

—Hvad er der specielt ved den fotografigenre, du specialiserer dig i?

—The pressure. You only have one shot at it and you never know what will be thrown your way. You have to be quick thinking and ready to adapt in any situation.

—Hvordan håndterer du kritik?

—When I was younger, not well. Now that I am a bit older and have a family, I have learned the value of keeping my mouth shut and becoming a better listener.

—Er der nogen tendenser inden for fotografering?

—I think too many wedding photographers go into a wedding with their own agenda. The have a shot list that they must do every time and think about their own portfolio instead of listening to the clients wants and personalities.

—Hvad bør kriterierne være for en kunde, der skal vælge en fotograf?

—Ask to see entire galleries from a recent REAL wedding. Instagram and social media only showcase the best, most over the top images and many times come from stylized shoots of models. Have a meeting with them ahead of time to get to know each other. It's important to have this relationship.

—Hvilke ting er slet ikke tilladt under fotograferingen?

—Anything goes for me as long as it doesn't offend or hurt anyone. You have to be able to read the crowd and understand the sensibilities of your clients.

—Hvilke detaljer, der som regel går ubemærket hen, vil en fotograf bemærke?

—Often times the best picture is behind the obvious action. I stay aware and on my toes to capture these little gems whenever possible.

—Hvad påvirker værdien af et foto? Hvilke elementer indeholder det?

—A good photo makes an emotional connection with the viewer.

—Hvilken person kan være symbolet på det 21. århundrede efter din mening?

—I have no idea :/ I don't really idolize anyone in particular. I'm just trying to learn who I am and how I can contribute to this world.

—Hvem vil du gerne fotografere?

—Fun-loving adventurous couples. I have shot celebrities before and just just treat them like regular people. I don't get star struck and think of everyone as unique individuals with their own interesting story to tell.

—Har du nogen professionelle tabuemner?

—If your clients like it, it's all good.

—Hvem ville du gerne fotografere sammen med?

—My favorite wedding photographers: Fer Juaristi, Emin Kuliyev, Victor Lax

—Hvad bekymrer du dig om, og hvorfor?

—I try not to worry whenever possible. I think every wedding photographer is a little worried of failure. Once I get the photos on my computer and see that I did my job, that goes away.

—Hvad har været det mest imponerende øjeblik i dit liv?

—Meeting my wife and the births of my son and daughter.

—Hvis du var en animeret figur, en fiktiv person eller en person i en film, hvem ville du så være, og hvorfor?

—Don Quixote

—Hvem inspirerer dig i dit liv, og hvorfor?

—My two kids, easily.

—Hvordan definerer du succes? Hvordan måler du det?

—Creating meaningful art and making my clients happy. Always improving your self and honing your skills. There's no end or limit to learning.

—Foretrækker du, at folk kan lide dig, eller at de respekterer dig?

—Respected. I am very comfortable with who I am and how I work and want to remain true to myself.

—Hvad er den største fejl, du nogensinde har begået i dit arbejde?

—Undervaluing the importance of having relationships with other industry professionals.

—Når du skal rejse, hvad tager du så med dig, og hvorfor?

—A change of clothes and my camera. What else do you need?

—Er der noget, du ville ønske, du ikke havde købt blandt de tingester, som du ejer? Hvorfor?

—none.

—Hvordan uddanner du dig selv til at tage bedre billeder?

—I invest a lot of time in education to further my skills and vision. I study the works of the masters throughout the history of photography. I have been lucky enough to work alongside some of them. I go to at least one workshop each year to stay fresh and inspired to create.

—Hvis arbejde har haft størst indflydelse på dig som fotograf?

—Fer Juaristi, Emin Kuliyev, Victor Lax, Sam Hurd, Ryan Brenizer, Jose Villa

—Hvad er det eneste, du ville ønske, du vidste, da du begyndte at tage billeder?

—Painting, Art History.

—Hvad vil du gerne fortælle med dine fotografier?

—A sense of shared humanity and an emotional connection.

—Hvad motiverer dig til at fortsætte med at tage billeder?

—Always improving, always searching for the perfect light and the perfect moment.

—Burde dine forældre have været mere eller mindre strikse?

—I love my parents. I wouldn't change a thing.

—Hvis du kunne gå tilbage i tiden, hvad ville du så gøre anderledes?

—Not major in Spanish in college, lol! Everything happens for a reason though and I have no regrets.

—Hvad med liv på andre planeter?

—of course.

—Hvem er dine helte?

—My mentor and teacher, David Alan Harvey. We share kindred spirits.

—Hvem har du ingen respekt for?

—I'm not a hater and won't even go there :)

—Hvad laver du i din fritid?

—Enjoying life with my family, travelling, listening to music, watching films, playing sports.

—Hvilken side af dig viser du aldrig offentligt?

—I am who I am. Don't want to be anything but me.

—Hvornår er du helt tilfreds med dit arbejde?

—Once I have the photos loaded into my computer and go over them for the first time and choose images for the sampler gallery to send to the couple.

—Tror du på de traditionelle mande- og kvinderoller?

—no

—Har du let ved at få nye venner?

—yes

—Hvor vil du gerne bo?

—On an island in warm weather

—Er der liv efter ægteskabet?

—Sure.

—Har du en yndlingsvittighed? Fortæl den til os.

—I still remember what my grandfather told me before he kicked the bucket.He said,
"I wonder how far I can kick this bucket."

—Kan du lide hunde eller katte?

—Dogs, though I like both.

—Hvem eller hvad hader du?

—No way. I respect everyone.

—Det bedste ved livet er:

—People, nature, and shared human experiences.

—Det mest irriterende ved livet er:

—Hate and divisiveness.

—Er der nogen ting rundt omkring, som du gerne vil ændre?

—Showing people the beauty that's all around us.

—Hvad vil du gerne ændre ved dig selv?

—Maybe a few years younger? Everything hurts more now, lol!

—Hvad vil du gerne ændre i verden?

—To have people see the humanity in those they disagree with.

—Kan du give et par råd til de fotografer, som lige er startet?

—Keep improving yourself.

—Hvis nogle rumvæsner kom til jorden, og du var den første person, de mødte, hvad ville du så sige til dem?

—Have a beer!

—Hvis du bliver spurgt, om du vil indspille en film, hvilken genre vil det så være?

—Drama

—I morgen tager jeg ud og...

—I will be attending an open critique at a local art gallery to get feedback on a book I am working on.