Φωτογράφος Ken Pak

—Έχετε φωτογένεια;

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

—Πώς ξεκίνησες να ασχολείσαι με τη φωτογραφία;

—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.

—Ποια είναι τα πιο σημαντικά στοιχεία μιας καλής φωτογραφίας κατά τη γνώμη σας;

—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.

—Αγαπάτε τα ταξίδια;

—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).

—Τι σας αρέσει περισσότερο στο επάγγελμά σας;

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

—Τι σας αρέσει λιγότερο στο επάγγελμά σας;

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

—Ποιο θα είναι το μέλλον της φωτογραφίας;

—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.

—Τι το ιδιαίτερο υπάρχει στο φωτογραφικό είδος στο οποίο εξειδικεύεσαι;

—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.

—Πώς αντιμετωπίζετε την κριτική;

—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.

—Υπάρχουν τάσεις στη φωτογραφία;

—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.

—Με ποια κριτήρια θα πρέπει ένας πελάτης να επιλέγει φωτογράφο;

—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.

—Ποια πράγματα δεν επιτρέπονται σε καμία περίπτωση κατά τη φωτογράφηση;

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

—Ποιες λεπτομέρειες που συνήθως περνούν απαρατήρητες μπορεί να παρατηρήσει ένας φωτογράφος;

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

—Τι επηρεάζει την αξία της φωτογραφίας; Ποια στοιχεία;

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

—Ποιο πρόσωπο αποτελεί το σύμβολο του 21ου αιώνα κατά τη γνώμη σας;

—Big brothers in media.

—Ποιον θέλετε να φωτογραφήσετε;

—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.

—Έχετε επαγγελματικά ταμπού;

—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.

—Με ποιους σας αρέσει να τραβάτε φωτογραφίες;

—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.

—Τι σας ανησυχεί και γιατί;

—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.

—Ποια ήταν η πιο εντυπωσιακή στιγμή στη ζωή σας;

—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.

—Εάν ήσασταν ένας λογοτεχνικός ή κινηματογραφικός χαρακτήρας ποιος θα θέλατε να είσαστε και γιατί;

—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!

—Τι σας εμπνέει στη ζωή σας και γιατί;

—Jesus Christ who keeps me being a better person.

—Ποιος είναι ο ορισμός της επιτυχίας; Πώς μετριέται η επιτυχία;

—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.

—Είναι προτιμότερο να είστε αρεστός ή να σας σέβονται;

—I would rather be liked.

—Ποιο είναι το μεγαλύτερο σφάλμα που έχετε κάνει ποτέ στη δουλειά σας;

—Encountering a media failure by using cheap media card.

—Όταν πρόκειται να ταξιδέψετε, τι παίρνετε μαζί σας και γιατί;

—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.

—Σε σχέση με τον εξοπλισμό που σας ανήκει, υπάρχει κάτι που εύχεστε να μην το είχατε αγοράσει. Γιατί;

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

—Πώς εκπαιδεύετε τον εαυτό σας για να μάθει να παίρνει καλύτερες φωτογραφίες;

—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.

—Ποιανού δουλειά σας έχει επηρεάσει περισσότερο ως φωτογράφο;

—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.

—Τι εύχεστε να γνωρίζατε όταν ξεκινήσατε να τραβάτε φωτογραφίες;

—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.

—Τι θέλετε να πείτε με τις φωτογραφίες σας;

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

—Τι σας παρακινεί να συνεχίσετε να τραβάτε φωτογραφίες;

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

—Οι γονείς σας θα έπρεπε να είναι περισσότερο ή λιγότερο αυστηροί;

—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.

—Εάν μπορούσατε να πάτε πίσω στο χρόνο, τι θα κάνετε διαφορετικά;

—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).

—Τι πιστεύετε για τη ζωή σε άλλους πλανήτες;

—I am going to ask God about it.

—Ποιοι είναι οι ήρωες σας;

—Whoever influences me to become a better person.

—Για ποιον δεν έχετε καθόλου σεβασμό;

—People who commit sins without repent afterwards.

—Τι κάνετε στον ελεύθερο χρόνο σας;

—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.

—Ποια πλευρά του εαυτού σας δεν βλέπει ποτέ το κοινό;

—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.

—Πότε είστε τελείως ικανοποιημένος με τη δουλειά σας;

—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.

—Πιστεύετε στους παραδοσιακούς ρόλους για τους άνδρες και τις γυναίκες;

—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.

—Κάνετε εύκολα φίλους;

—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.

—Που θα θέλατε να ζήσετε;

—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.

—Ποιο είναι το πιο ανόητο πράγμα που έχετε δεχτεί ποτέ να κάνετε;

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

—Υπάρχει ζωή μετά το γάμο;

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

—Έχετε ένα αγαπημένο ανέκδοτο; Πείτε το μας.

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

—Συμπαθείτε τα σκυλιά ή τις γάτες;

—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.

—Ποιον ή τι μισείτε;

—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.

—Το καλύτερο πράγμα στη ζωή είναι:

—When my son was born.

—Το πιο ενοχλητικό πράγμα στη ζωή είναι:

—Dealing with business partners and friends who betrayed me.

—Υπάρχει κάτι γύρω σας που θα θέλατε να αλλάξετε;

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

—Τι θα θέλατε να αλλάξετε στον εαυτό σας;

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

—Τι θα θέλατε να αλλάξετε στον κόσμο;

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

—Μπορείτε να δώσετε μερικές συμβουλές για τους φωτογράφους που ξεκινάνε να φωτογραφίζουν;

—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.

—Εάν έρθουν εξωγήινοι στη γη και είστε ο πρώτο άνθρωπος που συναντήσουν, τι θα τους πείτε;

—"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

—Εάν σας ζητήσουν να γυρίσετε μια ταινία, τι είδους ταινία θα είναι;

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

—Αύριο θα πάω και θα κάνω...

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