Fotograf Ken Pak

—Er du fotogen?

—I never thought I was photogenic and never wanted to be photographed, however, I look pretty cute in the photos from my early childhood.

—Hvordan blev du en del af fotografiindustrien?

—It was a pretty natural transition for me becoming a wedding photographer as many of my friends were getting married when I started taking photos. Because of this, I never attended my friends' weddings as a groomsman or guest. Rather, I always photographed their weddings.

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

—Although most of photographers would talk about light, composition, creative approach, subject, emotional impact & etc. as vital components of a good photo, I think preparation for the day and understanding of the flow , environment and subject would help yielding a good photo. Although there are moments I take photos with anticipation, however, I love when I get good photos without anticipation.

—Elsker du at rejse?

—Yes, I love traveling for the photo projects including weddings, fun activities, personal inspiration by the life of the other side of the world, and to see the family (I am from South Korea).

—Hvad kan du bedst lide ved dit fag?

—Photography career can be highly rewarding. I feel truly blessed when I receive compliments and appreciation from the happy clients and people.

—Hvad synes du mindre godt om ved dit fag?

—Dealing with difficult personalities and awkward characters can be most challenging to me. However, I would rather stay positive and supportive to those nature.

—Hvordan ser fremtiden ud for fotografering?

—For the next 5 years, another convergence of the medium will be coming like stills will be culled from 8k video footage. After another 5 years, I am pretty sure that there will always be needs for wedding photography regardless of the medium convergence.

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

—In technical term, I believe wedding photography can be practised as the collaborative work of wide range of photography types and styles. In human life, it is one of the greatest lifetime celebrations among families and friends, and I am so glad that I can capture many different levels of emotional impacts.

—Hvordan håndterer du kritik?

—I would rather be modest and listen to the criticism if it is the matter of your growth and development process in your photography career and human relations. If you stay honest, humble and positive, there will be lesser criticism.

—Er der nogen tendenser inden for fotografering?

—Yes, there are trends in wedding photography just like fashion industry, however, I also see there is a range of diversity in wedding photography trends depending on traditions, lifestyle, regions & etc.

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

—As a person photographing someone's lifetime event, trustworthy, fun and flexible nature in my personality come highly valuable and appreciative among my clients and people in the industry.

—Hvilke ting er slet ikke tilladt under fotograferingen?

—Unprofessional, snobbish & egoistic manner in professional & personal aspects.

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

—Artistic & creative approach. Also, freezing the moment, framing & composition.

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

—Cherishing the memorable moments and people from generation to generation (or among generations). Also, capturing and archiving the history of person's life.

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

—Big brothers in media.

—Hvem vil du gerne fotografere?

—I would like to continue photographing weddings, however, it will be interesting to photograph traditionally unique weddings in remote area not affected by the western culture.

—Har du nogen professionelle tabuemner?

—I would not want to spoil those wedding photographer wannabes. It takes so much of professional practice, thinking, attitude, training, study and experience. Don't believe in yourself as a professional shooter by just buying a good camera and shooting a few of your friends weddings.

—Hvem ville du gerne fotografere sammen med?

—If I get a chance, I would love to shoot with those pulitzer winners who have not shot the weddings before. Also, shooting a wedding by side of any big names in the industry will be my great honor.

—Hvad bekymrer du dig om, og hvorfor?

—Bridezilla and Groomzilla. Depending on the situations, people with difficult & demanding personalities to accommodate can be a real challenge. Also, theft and robbery (although I have not experienced before) during the sessions in uncontrolled areas. Being sick can be another big worrisome.

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

—Three of my most tearful moments showing my love to my parents. I cried so much at the airport when I saw my dad leaving the state after seeing my college graduation (He supported me for 7 years in US for my high school and college, and returned to Korea permanently). I cried so much when I hugged my parents during my wedding ceremony. I cried so much when my dad was being cremated after the funeral ceremony.

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

—I would love to be Iron man, just to simply get the aerial shots. Also, seeing myself in the Iron man armor which is retrofitted with multiple super cameras will be amazing!

—Hvem inspirerer dig i dit liv, og hvorfor?

—Jesus Christ who keeps me being a better person.

—Hvordan definerer du succes? Hvordan måler du det?

—In human perspective, if I have six good men who can carry my coffin at my own funeral, I consider that as a successful life. In business perspective, if I have no haters and no debt, that will be a successful life.

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

—I would rather be liked.

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

—Encountering a media failure by using cheap media card.

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

—I will take my free & open spirit with me to enjoy the true traveling experience. If it is allowed, then I would love to travel with my wife and son. Of course, a small travel camera will definitely be accompanied with me.

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

—Lytro Illum camera. I never use it. Is there anyone who is interested in this camera? ;)

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

—I try to read/watch/visit photography related or partially related magazines, books, movies, videos (I love watching K pop music videos to learn techniques), art galleries/museums & etc. From these experiences, I love incorporating my new ideas and creative thinking in the actual shoots by hopefully getting faster spontaneous responsiveness to the moments. Also, I go to conferences and seminars, and get connected with a wide range of cool photographers from different parts of the world. Also, I shoot together with a few of my local photographers time to time for cross-inspiring and training purposes at the real weddings.

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

—Hmmm... I would say photographers in WPJA Winners Collections, Fearless Photographers Award Collections and ISPWP Award Collections have influenced me the most. I am sorry to tell you that I love all the winners, not the single one, as I admire their work so much! Also, I give a full respect to those photographers who push themselves to the infinity over creative limits.

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

—I really wish I knew a real good mentor when I started taking photos. I have had neither a mentor nor had worked for a studio during my photography career. Also, I did not have any good friend photographers until I met most of them during the past 1.5 years.

—Hvad vil du gerne fortælle med dine fotografier?

—They are fun, animated, compassionate, witty, unique, hardworking, modern, artistic, imaginative, quirky, and yet most importantly, story telling with my true spirit.

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

—My family the most. Also, undiscovered world of photography intrigues me to challenge myself in the upcoming future. Accolades can be bonus.

—Burde dine forældre have været mere eller mindre strikse?

—Less strict. Matter of fact, my mom bought me my first point-n-shoot camera when I was the fifth grade. They are always supportive and respectful to my decision, but I had to be very responsible to my decision.

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

—I would go to a renowned college of art to inspire myself with in-depth fine art. I studied Environmental Science instead. Also, I would continue playing badminton, so I could have competed in Olympics (one of my teammates from the same school team won a gold medal in Atlanta Olympic games).

—Hvad med liv på andre planeter?

—I am going to ask God about it.

—Hvem er dine helte?

—Whoever influences me to become a better person.

—Hvem har du ingen respekt for?

—People who commit sins without repent afterwards.

—Hvad laver du i din fritid?

—Planning something ahead that would or would not happen, but it is always fun to do it. I do normal things that the normal people would do during the spare time.

—Hvilken side af dig viser du aldrig offentligt?

—When I am doing post production work at home, I am normally in underwears as it happens to be very comfortable and free to myself.

—Hvornår er du helt tilfreds med dit arbejde?

—When I hear back from my clients with lots of compliments and appreciation after they get the final release. Also, accolades are bonus to my satisfaction, but I consider myself always being in learning curve.

—Tror du på de traditionelle mande- og kvinderoller?

—Yes, I am in terms of marriage and family, however, roles are always subject to change based on the modern lifestyle. As long as we love each other, traditional roles are not biggie in our lives.

—Har du let ved at få nye venner?

—Yes, however, it can take significant amount of time to become their best friends. I would rather be their best friends than making them my best friends.

—Hvor vil du gerne bo?

—I would like to live in one Korea upon unification of North & South Korea. Other than US and Korea, I would also consider living any parts around the world needing any of my contribution.

—Hvad er det dummeste, du nogensinde har indvilget i at gøre?

—Sharing a studio space with a wedding dress/floral shop. I would never do a business with anyone in the same space.

—Er der liv efter ægteskabet?

—Sure thing! Your lifetime companion and kids are enough to make a dramatic change in your life after marriage.

—Har du en yndlingsvittighed? Fortæl den til os.

—My wife and my son give me all kinds of silly talk, and I always return with a joke. Too many to list.

—Kan du lide hunde eller katte?

—We used to have a jack russell terrier and a mix dog for over 12 years. They both passed aways a few years ago, but they always stay remained in our hearts. We are planning to have one soon.

—Hvem eller hvad hader du?

—Business partners with betrayal, lies and unacceptable manner. I can't tolerate those people, and can't deal with them anymore as it happens to be the worst time in my life.

—Det bedste ved livet er:

—When my son was born.

—Det mest irriterende ved livet er:

—Dealing with business partners and friends who betrayed me.

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

—I would like to redesign my website, restart blogging, and keep up everything in timely manner.

—Hvad vil du gerne ændre ved dig selv?

—I need to put something on when I am working at home.
Seriously, I need to reshape my body.

—Hvad vil du gerne ændre i verden?

—Get rid of terrorists and dictators, and provide aids to those who are in desperate life situation.

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

—Learn, practise and gain lots of experience to become a true artist, not a person with a good show-off camera. Most importantly, try to understand what this day means to the wedded couple and people at the wedding, and your role there.

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

—"Do you need a photographer to document your landing and presence? The session will be free, however, you need to sign a media release form." LOL

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

—I would like to photograph an epic love story, war and drama.

—I morgen tager jeg ud og...

—Tomorrow, I will go to a wedding and photograph the most amazing day of someone's life.