Wedding photographers in Romania

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

—So many, but mostly Saul Laiter, Sam Abell and James Nachtway. In wedding photography it was Jeff Ascough at first and then Ben and Erin Chrisman that started all for me! Their work made me want to become a better wedding photographer for all the good reasons.

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

—​I was 20 and had a photography class at the University! The moment I shot the first roll of film with a SLR, I was hooked for life! I feel very old at 32 saying I've started photography shooting film.

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

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The freedom to organize my life just as I want, the people I meet, the friends I make, the places I visit… I have at least 1000 reasons. Shooting weddings is for me my chance to use everything I experienced personally to create something new every week. Photography is not objective and it's a good thing because it lets us choose how we tell the stories. It's a refuge for me and an act that leaves me with no masks (or very few of them). I'm trying to shoot in a very sincere way.

—How do you improve your photography skills?

—Every year I buy some photography books (not wedding photography, mostly photojournalism). I look at a lot of pictures (mywed is also a constant source of inspiration) and try to analyze the things I like in a picture. I shoot a lot of IPhone pictures and I try to stay alert to any interesting situations that might occur around me. A photographer should never "sleep", training and educating for this si a life long mission.

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

—​To send a message, a feeling or to make you remember things. We’re losing so many good things along the way in our journey through life like innocence, compassion, humanity, sincerity… just to name a few. Kids have them naturally, we’re born rich and most of the people die poor of these.

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

—I am never allowing myself to be bored or tired while shooting a wedding... ok, maybe a little bored from time to time, but I'm always trying to make things more interesting.

—Who would you choose to try taking photos with?

—​So many people and they know who they are… but right now Sergio and Kelly from www.kellyandsergio.com intrigue me a lot. Their work is so original and authentic.

—Who is the 21st century symbol to your mind?

—​Anyone that can bring peace and make the world a better place for everybody, not just for a few of us. Jesus Christ maybe if He decides to pay us a visit again.

—Do you make friends with ease?

—​Friendship is a ship that take a long time to build, so, no, I don’t make friends easily! But I'm an easygoing person, I get along fine with almost everyone.

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

—​I don’t fight for any of these, so I can’t answer. If I get to be liked or respected it's because I did something good. I only fight to do good things.

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

—​“Common” people can become excellent photographers with experience. It’s just that good wedding photographers are trained to see more the “in between” moments, small gestures that make all the difference, little stories within bigger ones.

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

—​I'd check to see if the work of the photographer I like is consistent, if he blogs every wedding he's shooting and, after a short talk over skype or face to face, if we get along fine.

—What makes wedding photography different from other photography genres?

—​For me it’s the freedom it gives me… I have a license to shoot everyone! And weddings are not just super fun, but also extremely diverse. I love that!

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

—​Anyone who doesn’t put his own self in front of everybody else. We live in a selfish world and I’m trying to cure myself from that too.

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

—​You photography can only be as good as you are… so instead of learning tons of new tricks, invest in yourself, but not in a selfish way.

—Do you shoot wedding photos only?

—​​No, I take lots of pictures of my family and in the places I visit, mostly with my phone or my mirrorless (a Canon EOS-M3).

—Do you like travelling?

—​Yes! I can be on the road 365 days a year, but only if I’m with my family. Home is wherever I’m with them.

—Where would you prefer to live?

—​Near a forest and a lake, a few kilometers away from civilization, but with Internet and electricity. :)

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

—​I’m trying hard not to hate anyone! So nobody, but I’m scared of extremists (any type of extremists)!

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

—​Sam Gamgee from Lord of the Rings! If more people would be like him, we’d live in a happier place!

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

—​Deadlines! Sometimes it gets frustrating, but I’m getting better and better with them.

—How do you deal with criticism?

—​Pretty well because I'm already my own fiercest critique. Nobody can match this! :)

—Do you believe in life after wedding?

—​Having or adopting a kid is life, so, yes, there is a lot of life after marriage.

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

—Composition + moment + light. For a great photo you can't exclude any of these.

—How do you spend your leisure time?

—​Family time, traveling, reading, movies, playing video games with my son.

—What would you prefer to change around you?

—​Preconceptions, I’d love to see the people more open minded (me included).

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

—​Success is when you manage to bring balance in you and around you.

—What makes you continue shooting?

—​The life I have now is a good one, I strive to keep it like this.

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

—I have the best parents in the world, I wouldn't change anything.

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

—​I worry every time that I’m faking photography and that I suck!

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

—​Absolutely not, but you can reveal a lot in just one picture.

—What is absolutely unacceptable when taking photos?

—​Touching people and being in the center of attention.

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

—The people who genuinely love to help the ones in need.

—What would you alter in yourself if possible?

—​The same things I’d like to change in other people too.

—Are there tendencies in wedding photography?

—Of course. But good photography is forever.

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

—​I have no idea, but I’d love to live it.

—Can you specify whom would you love to shoot?

—I let my destiny to choose that for me.

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

—​I’m far from being satisfied!

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

—​The moment my son was born.

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

—​Go back, we’re not ready!

—Do you look good in pictures?

—​Very rarely! :)

—What are your plans for tomorrow?

—​A 10km run!

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

—Selfishness.

—Life is great thanks to:

—​Children

—The most troubling thing in life is:

—​Adults

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

—​Sci Fi

—Cats or dogs?

—​Both!

—Is there life in the Universe?

—Yes.

—Do you believe in the traditional gender roles?

—​No.