Fotograf Laura Otoya

—Sind Sie fotogen?

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

—Wie sind sind zur Fotografiebranche gekommen?

—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!

—Was macht Ihrer Meinung nach ein gutes Foto aus?

—Moment, emotion, light and composition.

—Reisen Sie gern?

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

—Was gefällt Ihnen an Ihrem Beruf am meisten?

—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!

—Was gefällt Ihnen an Ihrem Beruf am wenigsten?

—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.

—Was ist die Zukunft der Fotografie?

—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!

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

—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.

—Wie gehen Sie mit Kritik um?

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

—Gibt es irgendwelche Trends in der Fotografie?

—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.

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

—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.

—Was ist bei Fotoaufnahmen strikt verboten?

—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.

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

—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.

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

—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.

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

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

—Was würden Sie gern fotografieren?

—Happy and enamoured brides and grooms.

—Gibt es für Sie in Ihrem Beruf Tabus?

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

—Mit wem würden Sie gern fotografieren?

—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.

—Worüber machen Sie sich Sorgen und warum?

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

—Was war der eindrucksvollste Moment in Ihrem Leben?

—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!

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

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

—Wer inspiriert Sie in Ihrem Leben und warum?

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

—Wie definieren Sie Erfolg? Wie messen Sie ihn?

—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.

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

—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.

—Was war der größte Fehler bei Ihrer Arbeit?

—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.

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

—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.

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

—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.

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

—"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.

—Welche Arbeiten haben Sie als Fotografen am meisten beeindruckt?

—Susan Stripling.

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

—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.

—Was möchten Sie mit Ihren Fotos zum Ausdruck bringen?

—I just want my images to speak for themselves.

—Was motiviert Sie weiterzumachen?

—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!

—Hätten Ihre Eltern strenger sein müssen?

—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.

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

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

—Was halten Sie vom Leben auf anderen Planeten?

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

—Wer sind Ihre Helden?

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

—Wovor haben Sie keinerlei Respekt?

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

—Was tun Sie in Ihrer Freizeit?

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

—Welche Seite Ihrer Persönlichkeit bleibt dem Publikum verborgen?

—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.

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

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

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

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

—Schließen Sie schnell Freundschaft?

—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.

—Wo würden Sie gern leben?

—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.

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

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

—Gibt es ein Leben nach der Heirat?

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

—Haben Sie einen Lieblingswitz? Erzählen Sie ihn.

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

—Lieben Sie Hunde oder Katzen?

—Both!!

—Wen oder was hassen Sie?

—Hypocrisy and superficiality.

—Das Beste im Leben ist:

—Having enough reasons to smile and laugh often.

—Das Ärgerlichste im Leben ist:

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

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

—Nope, just go with the flow.

—Was würden Sie an sich selbst gern ändern?

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

—Was würden Sie in der Welt ändern?

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

—Haben Sie ein paar Tipps für angehende Fotografen?

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

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

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

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

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

—Morgen werde ich...

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