Fotograf Wendell Fernandes

—Sind Sie fotogen?

—I'm not sure – my wife says so :)

—Wie sind sind zur Fotografiebranche gekommen?

—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.

—Was macht Ihrer Meinung nach ein gutes Foto aus?

—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.

—Reisen Sie gern?

—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.

—Was gefällt Ihnen an Ihrem Beruf am meisten?

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

—Was gefällt Ihnen an Ihrem Beruf am wenigsten?

—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.

—Was ist die Zukunft der Fotografie?

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

—Was das Besondere an dem Fotografiegenre, auf das Sie sich spezialisiert haben?

—Generations joining together in one loving event.

—Wie gehen Sie mit Kritik um?

—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.

—Gibt es irgendwelche Trends in der Fotografie?

—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.

—Was sollten die Kriterien für Kunden bei der Wahl eines Fotografen sein?

—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.

—Was ist bei Fotoaufnahmen strikt verboten?

—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.

—Welche Details werden häufig übersehen, die ein Fotograf aber erkennt?

—How light affects moments.

—Was beeinflusst den Wert eines Fotos? Welche Elemente sind wichtig?

—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.

—Welche Person verkörpert für Sie das 21. Jahrhundert am besten?

—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.

—Was würden Sie gern fotografieren?

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

—Gibt es für Sie in Ihrem Beruf Tabus?

—Not really.

—Mit wem würden Sie gern fotografieren?

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

—Worüber machen Sie sich Sorgen und warum?

—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.

—Was war der eindrucksvollste Moment in Ihrem Leben?

—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.

—Welche literarische Figur oder Filmfigur wären Sie gern und warum?

—I never thought of that :)

—Wer inspiriert Sie in Ihrem Leben und warum?

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

—Wie definieren Sie Erfolg? Wie messen Sie ihn?

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

—Gefällt es Ihnen mehr, wenn man Sie mag oder wenn Sie respektiert werden?

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

—Was war der größte Fehler bei Ihrer Arbeit?

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

—Was nehmen Sie mit, wenn Sie auf Reisen gehen und warum?

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

—Haben Sie Apparate oder Ausrüstung, die Sie lieber nicht hätten kaufen sollen? Warum?

—Not yet.

—Wie bilden Sie sich weiter, damit Ihre Bilder noch besser werden?

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

—Welche Arbeiten haben Sie als Fotografen am meisten beeindruckt?

—Joe Buissink's work probably.

—Was hätten Sie auf jeden Fall wissen müssen, als Sie mit der Fotografie begannen?

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

—Was möchten Sie mit Ihren Fotos zum Ausdruck bringen?

—Register the reality of people and their personalities.

—Was motiviert Sie weiterzumachen?

—The stories of people I meet.

—Hätten Ihre Eltern strenger sein müssen?

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

—Wenn Sie zurückschauen, was hätten Sie besser machen können?

—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.

—Was halten Sie vom Leben auf anderen Planeten?

—Only God knows!

—Wer sind Ihre Helden?

—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.

—Wovor haben Sie keinerlei Respekt?

—The corrupt system of this world.

—Was tun Sie in Ihrer Freizeit?

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

—Welche Seite Ihrer Persönlichkeit bleibt dem Publikum verborgen?

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

—Wann sind Sie mit Ihrer Arbeit in jeder Hinsicht zufrieden?

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

—Glauben Sie an die traditionellen Rollen von Mann und Frau?

—Yes.

—Schließen Sie schnell Freundschaft?

—I do.

—Wo würden Sie gern leben?

—Anywhere I can help and be more active socially.

—Was war das Dümmste, auf das Sie sich je eingelassen haben?

—Open businesses with others without contracts.

—Gibt es ein Leben nach der Heirat?

—Yes and an abundant one.

—Haben Sie einen Lieblingswitz? Erzählen Sie ihn.

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

—Lieben Sie Hunde oder Katzen?

—Dogs.

—Wen oder was hassen Sie?

—Nothing really.

—Das Beste im Leben ist:

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

—Das Ärgerlichste im Leben ist:

—A long mass in a wedding day.

—Gibt es etwas in Ihrem Umfeld, das Sie ändern möchten?

—Not really.

—Was würden Sie an sich selbst gern ändern?

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

—Was würden Sie in der Welt ändern?

—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.

—Haben Sie ein paar Tipps für angehende Fotografen?

—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.

—Wenn Außerirdische auf der Erde ankommen und Sie sind die erste Person, die sie treffen, was sagen Sie zu ihnen?

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

—Angenommen Sie erhalten den Auftrag, einen Film aufzunehmen. Welches Genre würden Sie für den Film wählen?

—Drama.

—Morgen werde ich...

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