Wedding photographers in Bilbao

—The secret we all want to reveal – who is the best wedding photographer in Bilbao?

—Depends on what one values in their wedding photographs. There are so many photographers that still obsess about beautifully staged photos with unnatural light and exagerated posing... and so few photographers that truly can call themselves photojournalists! Usually working through the top 12 pictures of any photographer one can tell... :)

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

—It is important to see 3-4 entire weddings. Ask for an exact venue, or location similar to yours. It is very easy to show your best work, those best 20 images. What is important is to see those 350 that are not their best work. There will be cases that more than half of those that you are not supposed to see would be just appallingly bad! The unselected "bad" fill in shots is what makes a really good photographer differ from an amateur.

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

—Over 15 years ago after graduating from uni in the UK I was still thinking which direction to take creatively. One of my close friends was getting married and as a present I went on as a second photographer to create a photojournalistic wedding story for her. Then another friend got married, this time I was their main photographer for the day. Within a year with a fresh new website I was booking 30 weddings a year.

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

—I think the photos not only replicate the soul of the pictured person, but also reflect the soul of the person who captured that photo. Every time you take a photo it is like you are falling a little bit "in love" with that person, with the landscape, with the light. Without it they are just cold ordinary photos.

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

—Capturing the moments that otherwise would pass by and get forgotten. So many of our couples tell us they felt they missed half of their wedding because they simply were too busy talking to guests. And after seeing they wedding reportage they cried, they cried again, and they continue crying every time they see it.

—Can you specify whom would you love to shoot?

—Any couple that is relaxed and happy. We love the kinda "hippies" that we are. Beach weddings. Garden ceremonies. Getting married in the field. When bride and groom do a wedding exactly how they want it, without listening to their parents and friends – that´s when the real magic happens.

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

—My camera with plenty of memory cards is always with me. Our family albums are full of family photos and places we visited together, and as we sit down together looking through them, it feels like we relive all those moments over and over... My kids love looking at old family photos!

—Where would you prefer to live?

—On the coast. Which we do live 5 mins away from the coast – it is ideal. It has been my longtime dream to live in central London for enough years to feel myself a Londoner. Never got to do it. Probably would not enjoy it either as it would be incredibly stressful. Someday maybe...

—What makes you continue shooting?

—Clients that really appreciate my work. It makes me feel that what I do really matters to those families. Shooting in my free time is simply because I love photography. Also, because our kids grow up too fast, so I try to capture every moment so that it stays with us forever.

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

—I suppose it will continue to split in 2 directions, those photographers that like crazy flying shots and veil blown by the wind and backlit posing. And of course there will be photographers like me, who will continue to tell stories and capture real emotions.

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

—90% of the wedding goes unnoticed for the bride and groom. If you have 2 photographers working during the wedding, you would be amazed how much comes to live in the photographs through the eyes of the 2 different people.

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

—Sometimes I get that typical nightmare that I am late to the wedding or that the camera suddenly stops working in the moment of the wedding ceremony. In 10 years of work this has never happened of course, but the subconscious worry, i suppose, is always there.

—How do you deal with criticism?

—Constructive criticism from someone who indeed tries to help is valuable and very important. Of course, there is always a certain share of those who talk loud without having any idea, but we all learn to smile politely and continue with what we are doing...

—Do you shoot wedding photos only?

—Nope. I do lot of types of lifestyle sessions. Newborns, premamás, fashion, documentary. I am also an experienced motion graphics designer and tv editor. Never sticking to just one thing has always been my problem, or advantage, at the same time.

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

—Good light, good composition, and most importantly a story to tell. As a photo journalist I love action, I love real smiles, loud laughter and true tears! There is nothing more beautiful when these emotions are captured in a good photograph.

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

—I wish I could go back and hug my grandma and my granpa one more time, and tell them how much I love them. They are a huge part of who I am, and I think of them a lot because every tiny thing in my everyday life reminds me of them.

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

—For a photographer it is light, composition and action. For our clients – that would have to be real people, real emotions and real storied. Somewhere in between the two is what we target as wedding photo journalists.

—Do you believe in the traditional gender roles?

—Generally no, but then there is the role of the mother. Noone can do it but a woman! Actually there are a lot of roles that only a woman could do. Those who don´t have kids wouldn´t understand...

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

—I wish there was a course on how to charge your photography and how to run a business in general. Sometimes replying to thousands of emails and client requests can be overwhelming.

—Do you believe in life after wedding?

—Definitely. Wedding is just a day you choose to have or not to have. Marriage, trust, respect, being a family is forever... Sometimes there is not even a need for a wedding.

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

—Almost never. There is always this feeling haunting me – whatever project I finish could be improved... I suppose perfectionism is a common problem of most creative people

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

—When i was getting into wedding photography I used to visit the blogs of Jeff Ascough and Jonas Peterson daily... I don´t quite have so much free time now :)

—What would you prefer to change around you?

—People. People not caring for the planet. Not caring about every little thing on the planet. Consumerism and endless materialistic pursuit really annoys me.

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

—Hate... Not sure. There must have been someone or something at some point in my life, but it does not tend to stick around for long. Luckily.

—What makes wedding photography different from other photography genres?

—You have to be very fast, prepared for every moment and change of pace or lighting situation. There is no second chance to take THAT photo.

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

—I think my mom was quite fair with me. She is my example of how to be a good parent, and I try to follow it through with my own family.

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

—Depends on what one values. There are many inspirational photographers, designers, painters – you can learn so much from so many.

—Life is great thanks to:

—Life and what it puts us up to every single day. Life is full of surprises and adventures. Not knowing where you end up is great!

—What is absolutely unacceptable when taking photos?

—Bothering people and getting people to stop what they are doing and do something that you want. Fake smiles are a NO NO NO:::

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

—I would ask about the world they come from. It would be hillarious to hear how stupid all of our world conceptions are.

—Are there tendencies in wedding photography?

—I would say traditional, super staged, photojournalistic (with almost zero staging) and lifestyle (with some posing).

—What would you prefer to change in the world?

—People again and again. Out attitude to the planet and its resources. Using the bear minimum and caring for the rest.

—Do you look good in pictures?

—I suppose I look ok. Few people can tell they are happy the way they look in photos, myself is not an exception.

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

—Everyone has their own path. Shoot friends weddings to get experience and from there on you will figure it out.

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

—I think everyone deserves respect. Whether you like them or you want to be around them it´s a different story.

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

—Giving birth to my two kids. There is nothing more significant and life changing that this for any woman.

—What would you alter in yourself if possible?

—A little bit more external self confidence and extrovertism would be great. Not so good at small talk.

—What are your plans for tomorrow?

—Kids are on spring vacations this week. Family plans and some usual late night editing later at night.

—How do you spend your leisure time?

—Going to the beach, learning to surf, walking in the woods or picking mushrooms with my family...

—Do you like travelling?

—Of course, yes. Although while my son is still quite small it is not always an easy thing to do.

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

—My mom. My kids. The nature around me. I try to look for inspiration in everything.

—Who would you choose to try taking photos with?

—Happily working with my husband. I would not swap him for any other photographer.

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

—I suppose I am not that confident of myself, but noone should really know that :)

—Do you make friends with ease?

—I meet people with easy. Making true friends requires a lot of time and effort.

—The most troubling thing in life is:

—The idea of your closest ones passing away. Its the worst thing I can think of.

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

—Nothing really. I am not much of a gadget person, so I only own what I need.

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

—Happiness. Family. Beauty of every place and every person I photograph.

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

—Posing shots. The typical group photos that have to be staged.

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

—Not sure. Being happy to do what you do, and being good at it.

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

—As a mom i have to do plenty of silly things every single day.

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

—Thriller. A mix of a Tarkovsky and a David Lynch film.

—Have a best-loved joke? Share it with us!

—Could never remember any joke. Sorry

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

—I am pretty happy being who I am.

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

—Nothing serious comes to mind.

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

—Posing. Stopping the moments.

—How do you improve your photography skills?

—Practice and practice.

—Is there life in the Universe?

—I am sure there is.

—Cats or dogs?

—Dogs 200 %.

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

—Respected.

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

—My family.