Wedding photographers in Netherlands

—What should future newlyweds pay attention to when looking for a wedding photographer?

—Make sure you have a connection. That's the main thing to focus on. Never let your choice be made on pricing. That's the least important thing when choosing a photographer. You need to connect to make the best photo's and capture your emotion and love.

—How did you start working in the wedding photography field?

—At first I was in to motorsports and had the equipment for it. Until it got to much for me and my day job. That's when I decided to sell half of my stuff and go for my day job. After a couple of weeks I got a inquiry from a friend to do their wedding. From that time on I was hooked on weddings... It's such an addiction!

—What is there in your work that brings you joy?

—I love to meet new people! I am a social beast and have a strong need to connect with the people I meet. The guests, the bride and groom and everything that walks and talks.I love to be creative and seek new possibilities at venues or locations. Create a fantastic photo for my clients and of course also for myself.

—Do you like travelling?

—Yes I sure do! I have a lot of destination weddings this year and next year. I love travelling because it gives me the satisfaction of the unknown, adrenaline and new opportunities. What is more beautiful than capturing love and emotion at the most fantastic venues and places in the world.

—What are the key elements that make a photo attractive?

—First of all I think it has everything to do with the feeling you get when you first look a photo. If it gives me goose bumps it's cool in my opinion. I want it to be interesting and special. Emotion or awesome light or composition is what does it for me.

—What makes a photo valuable? What are the key features of a great photo?

—Background, background and more background... That is sometimes even more important that the foreground or the subject. It needs to be balanced. An unbalanced photo will make you think there's something missing even though the moment is precious.

—How do you deal with criticism?

—It's hard sometimes! But if the critiques are well based it's doable for me. I love a good critique because it helps me to be better and make my photography better.

—What is success to you? How can one measure it?

—My success is measured in the smiles and tears I get from my couples. When they call me and say I did the impossible. I made their day even more beautiful.

—What person in your life is your muse & source of inspiration?

—A lot of people! But most of all I think my wife, Ilona
She's my backbone, takes care of everything and stand behind and in front of me when needed.

—What makes wedding photography different from other photography genres?

—Everything! Social and camera skills are only half of the stuff you need. Actually it's everything! You need to master almost every type of photography. Fashion, light, speed, emotion, documentary etc etc.

—Do you look good in pictures?

—I don't think I'm photogenic :) I love having the camera in my hands and always want to hold my tummy in when photographed :)

—What details that usually pass unnoticed can a wedding photographer capture?

—Details, tears, connections between people and those real moments. It's so hard to anticipate all the time. You need to practice and walk a lot of miles to have those skills.

—Can you imagine what wedding photography will be like in future?

—That's a good one! I hope that all brides and grooms see the real value of a professional. And I hope future camera's have a iphone photo blocker built in :)

—Do you believe in the superstition that a photo replicates the soul of the pictured person?

—Yes I do.. You gotta love the person you shoot. That is one of the main goals I set when connecting to a couple.

—Are there tendencies in wedding photography?

—Like in fashion there's always something new. New gear, new post processing, new everything... I think it's important to make the trends not follow them.

—What is absolutely unacceptable when taking photos?

—Repeat the "first kiss" and those kinds of moments. It needs to be real for me. Not staged. I hate that!

—Give some advice to a wedding photographer who is a beginner.

—Stick to yourself and your ways. Love yourself and expect nothing at all! Do your own thing and never stop improving yourself.

—Whose works made an impact on you as a wedding photographer?

—Two Mann Studios, Chrisman Studios, David Murray, Tyler Wirken and the Foundation Workshops in Texas.

—Is there anything that worries you? What & why?

—Get caught in an accident and lose my eyes or a limb so it's almost impossible to shoot again....

—What mistake in your professional experience you treat as the biggest one?

—I mixed two couples up in my agenda. That resulted in being an hour late at a wedding.

—How do you improve your photography skills?

—Workshops, workshops, and workshops... All around the world if possible!

—What moment in your life you treat as the most significant one?

—The birth of my two kids... I never thought it would be this beautiful.

—If you have a chance to shoot a movie, what genre will you choose?

—Definitely a thriller! I love the story and the turns in the scripts.

—What would you prefer to change in the world?

—I would love to see more respect for each other and their opinions.

—When are you totally satisfied with the results of your work?

—When I feel my clients are going to love the job I did for them.

—How do you spend your leisure time?

—I like to play with my kids and I love to play NHL15 in my PS4

—What makes you continue shooting?

—It's so rewarding! That keeps me motivated. Try new things!

—Imagine that you can travel back in time. What would you do differently?

—Respect my parents more and spend more time with them.

—What cartoon, film or book character would you become if you had a chance?

—I think Daffy Duck... Crazy and a spit when I talk :)

—When travelling, what do you usually take with you & why?

—One of my Canon 5DMK3's of course... and a 35mm :)

—Where would you prefer to live?

—On a deserted island but then with WIFI :)

—Do you believe in life after wedding?

—Yes there is! I love my life even more!

—Is there anything in your work that you don't like or even hate?

—Hard to say.. really.. I don't know...

—What key message are you trying to convey with your pictures?

—Emotion, glamour, love.. All of that!

—Whom can you name as a person/people not deserving respect?

—Bullies and people who are jealous.

—What side of you do you never show to the public?

—When I'm sad and when I want to cry.

—The most troubling thing in life is:

—I need to sleep every night hahaha :)

—Imagine aliens come to our planet. You are the first human they meet. What would you tell them?

—Can I take a ride on your space ship?

—Life is great thanks to:

—Being free and do whatever I want.

—Is there life in the Universe?

—I don't care about that really..

—What would you alter in yourself if possible?

—I need to slow and shut up more.

—In your opinion, should your parents have been more or less strict to you as a child?

—No they did an excellent job!

—Do you shoot wedding photos only?

—Yes and engagement shoots..

—Do you make friends with ease?

—Yes I do.. And I love it!

—What are your plans for tomorrow?

—Drive my 1968 Mustang...

—Who would you choose to try taking photos with?

—Lanny & Erika Mann...

—What thing is the silliest one you've ever agreed to do?

—A new Born session :)

—What would you have preferred to learn before becoming a photographer?

—Back button Focus :)

—What would you prefer to change around you?

—Not in particular...

—What's better – when you are liked or are respected?

—Liked for sure..

—What devices that you own you regret you bought and why?

—Nothing really...

—Do you hate anyone or anything? Who or what?

—I love everyone!

—Is there anything in your work that you treat as prohibited "tricks"?

—No I don't...

—Cats or dogs?

—Dogs 4 sure!

—Can you specify whom would you love to shoot?

—Everyone!

—Whom can you name as people you respect and admire most?

—My wife!

—Do you believe in the traditional gender roles?

—No...

—What should be the criteria for a bride and a groom to choose their wedding photographer?

—What I see all the time, is that people just look at the price. Sometimes they don't even look at the pictures. Thats a shame. Why? Because it's the biggest day of your life! You buy a fancy wedding dress, you rent a amazing location, you order a big pie. Those things are all just for one day. But the photo's last forever. If you look in your wedding album in 10 years, you still want to enjoy those moments. Don't save money on your wedding photographer, do you save money on your wedding dress to? I don't think so! The next thing what a couple has to look after is the style of the photographer. Do you like journalistic photos ore do you like high key photos? Another thing what is very important is the connection you have with your photographer. The photographer will be very close to the both of you during your big day. If you don't have a click, please look for another photographer. But if you do have that click, you'll have an amazing day with amazing pictures as a result!

—How did you get into wedding photography?

—I've started my own company as a photographer in 2015. At first I was a fulltime freelancer for a local newspaper. I still work there freelance, but not as much as in the beginning. Then I've started to photograph for different company's, which I still do. A college photographer which I know was so enthusiastic about wedding photography, that's what triggered me to try it out a couple of times. After the first wedding I was so inspired and overwhelmed, that I've started to fall in love with weddings. All these moments, all these emotions. Wauw! How amazing is it to captures these moments, these emotions and the biggest day of 2 people's lives? That's what I love the most about photography. You capture a moment in real life, and you can enjoy this moment for the rest of your life!

—How do you handle criticism?

—I'm open to all criticism, that's the best way to improve your photography.
I love to learn, that's why I try to go to different workshops. Another way to learn a lot is go to weddings with different photographers. If you go as a second shooter, you can try a lot and learn from your college photographer at the same time.

—What things are to be avoided when shooting?

—One very big tip: during the ceremony, no cell phones! You're going to ruin the picture(s). If there is a photographer at the wedding: trust him/her! It's our job to capture all the moments. It's such a shame when I capture an amazing moment but in the background grandma has a cell phone in front of her face..

—What do you like most about your profession?

—What I love the most about my job is that I have the best job in the world! Why? Because I have the honor tho capture the biggest day of two people's lives.
You capture a moment in real life, and you can enjoy this moment for the rest of your life. How fantastic is that?

—Are you fond of travelling?

—I love to travel, my goal is to photograph a couple of weddings outside of my own country. Next year I will go to France together with my college photographer Alva from Alvafotografie.

—What do you like least about your profession?

—What I like least in my profession is the dragging of the heavy equipment. Most people think a 14-hour work day is very long, but if you love your job like I do: time really flies!

—What are the most important components of a good photo in your opinion?

—The most important elements for a great picture are:- lights
- composition
- position
- wait for 'the moment'

—What will be the future of wedding photography?

—In the future I want to photograph a maximum of 30 weddings a year. Why not more? Because I want to stay inspired and focused so I can deliver quality time after time.
I would love to do about 3 ore 4 weddings outside of my country a year, it's just amazing to photograph in another country with all kinds of different elements.