Wedding photographers in Switzerland

—First and foremost – whom can you name as the best wedding photographer in Belgrade? :)

—Belgrade has many great photographers, and it's not easy to make a choice. For wedding couples it dependins on their aesthetic criteria, of style they prefer, of way of storytelling... I try to find my inspiration in Italian wedding photojournalism and in fashion photography, so I think I'm not competent to evaluate Belgrade photographers.

—How did you get into wedding photography?

—As a student I tried to earn money for doing fashion & pin up photography, for a studio, for an equipment... so I started doing commercial photography. Now i try to find new inspiration, new ideas and to be more creative. But what's most important I really enjoy doing wedding photography

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

—Only essentials, no photoshop.
First of all light! To know and understand creative possibilities of light and how you can change the subject depending on light. Composition is also very important, and when you shoot people – rules of posing, especially talk of hands and eyes.

—What do you like least about your profession?

—To repeat myself and to not have the ability to do something new and creative, when it does not depend on me.

—What do you like most about your profession?

—To travel, to meet new people, to build friendships, to try to outperform myself and make better photos

—How do you handle criticism?

—I like criticism and I ask for analysis and arguments, because it helps me to be better.

—Are you fond of travelling?

—Definitely! I am addicted to traveling.

—Are you photogenic?

—I'm afraid I'm not

—Are there any trends in wedding photography?

—Yes. Now it is wedding destination photography, photojournalism and storytelling, what I like and dark & washed photos without posing (just standing), often incorrectly cut, what I dislike. The main trend today is that many photographers deny the existence of any rules.

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

—Connection. Not only human connection, but they need to make sure the photographer's work connects with them. You can only be happy with somebody's work if the art this person is creating speaks your same language. There are photographers for every single time of clients: tattooed , glamorous, hipster, elegant, crazy... you name it.
The connection with your photographer is also very important. He/she will document your most important day. You will be followed by this person minute after minute, you will cry, dance, speak from your heart in front of your photographer so make sure you are a choosing A VERY TALENTED FRIEND instead of choosing a regular service provider who will just follow you throughout the day.

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

—I think we are heading into a very good moment in wedding photography. Social media has made more people aware of the power in photographs. Facebook is a place where people want to showcase their lives: showing how amazing their trips, events, outfits, looks are. Thus, it's impossible to think there will be less demand. People want to look good, do amazing things and share them on social media. Social media has also changed the way people used to look at us, wedding photographers. With so many amazing wedding photographers around the world, showcasing their mind-blowing photographs, I can believe most people already see the value of investing in good photography for their life events. It's true that professional gear and amazing cameras are more accessible now to the public, but this doesn't mean everybody can take an amazing photo. if everybody could own a piano, do you think everybody would be a piano player?

—Do you look good in pictures?

—I would say yes :-) I am obsessed with making women look gorgeous so I practice with my own self.
However, I don't really agree with this term since an amazing portrait doesn't depend on the person being photographed. Photographs are a reflection of how a photographer looks and connects with the world. What lies behind a photographer's soul is what's imprinted in his/her creation. Thus, if you don't have a good connection with your photographer, he/she has a negative vision of the world or is going through a bad day, chances are that he/she is going to reflect that on your portrait. I've had clients who don't like being photographed or don't like themselves in photos tell me that they know they won't look good in the photos, and I have proof that if you have an amazing connection with them, you can show the world how wonderful your client is or looks for you. To me a photograph doesn't only depend on how a person looks, but on how beautiful or interesting their soul is.

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

—Light, composition, story. Without light, there is no photograph. The quality of the light and how the photographer uses it can help to intensify a story and convey a better message. A photo can have more or less impact depending on a variety of factors, but to me light is the main component for this.
Composition is key to a good photograph. The way you present your story can damage it or enhance it. Composition is the way a photographer seduces the eye – the best presented, the more it sells the message and the more effective it is.
Story: what's a photo without a story? Even portraits should convey a story in order to be impactful.

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

—Its message and impact in your client's life and story. I remember taking a photo some weeks ago from my client's grandmother during their wedding day. We drove to the hospital where she was recovered in order for them to make her feel present during their day. They hugged, cried, said the most beautiful things. It was such a powerful moment. When my client's grandmother is no longer with us, the only thing that will remain is the memories and the beautiful photo I took from that moment. The most important thing in life is LOVE and human relationships. We are reminded of it each day when looking at our photographs.

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

—Success is a compound of little achievements that should be all celebrated the same way. I believe success is very subjective. I feel successful everyday because every single step towards my goal is a reason to celebrate. Some people feel successful only when they achieve their ultimate goal.
Been said that. My vision of success is related much to achieving small things that make me feel happy every day. Happiness is my ultimate goal.

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

—Human relationships. I love meeting new people weekend after weekend. Sharing their most beautiful day. Seeing them laugh, cry, hug, kiss, dance, eat...LIVE!. I am actually not sure about the amount of friends I have made since I started this journey. I love people. I also love the fact that my office is no longer a desk surrounded by hundreds of books, but THE WORLD.

—Where would you prefer to live?

—I love where I live. Let me explain it to you :-) I live in a place that looks like Italy, where everybody speaks Italian, a 10 minute ride from Italy, with an amazingly stable government and close to Malpensa airport – where there is EASYjet flights that take me to the closest beach if needed!Why would I change that?

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

—I was born with an artistic vein but somehow got lost in the middle of my artistic journey to then reinvent myself slightly before my 30s. My mom was upset at my school habits: I had zero will to learn math or other subjects that would not include painting, writing, singing or dancing. However, I developed a passion for reading and ended up studying law and getting a master's degree in a famous US university. I fell inlove and got married, moved to Switzerland and while unemployed I had time to reconnect again with my artistic vein. I quit the idea of being an attorney and started taking massive action towards learning the craft from my favorite photographers. Traveled the world taking workshops, connecting with colleagues and ended up finding my passion, which is photographing love. It's been an amazing journey.

—How do you deal with criticism?

—I cope well if it's constructive. I think you cannot grow as an artist if you don't suffer. You cannot change and improve if you don't go through this.
I started growing as a photographer once I accepted I wasn't perfect and I opened myself to people's opinions. It hurts, but it is necessary.

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

—Be patient. Find your vision. Be opened to critiques. Eat Healthy. Workout. Find time for yourself and your loved ones. Work hard. Play harder. Celebrate every single success that takes you on the road to your ultimate goal. Be positive. Create a vision board and write your goals each year (they come true!). Make friends and have fun when working. Always remember why you started.

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

—Ego.I think our field will be richer if we could all loose a bit of our ego and help each other. Our job is an artistic job so it's normal to have a bit of ego. However, art is very subjective so what's beautiful to you maybe is not for me. Nobody is right. Nobody is wrong.

—What makes wedding photography different from other photography genres?

—The variety in our craft. We get to be photojournalists, fashion, portrait, landscape photographers... everything on a very same day. And with only one chance to do an amazing job. The adrenaline of having to create amazing art in seconds is also very characteristic. I love shooting weddings because of that: I never get bored or never get to do the same job each day.

—What makes you continue shooting?

—People. I have met the most amazing people – including clients and photographers. We are in the craft of documenting love so we all have something in common – it's easy to feel instant connection when you are at conferences or at a special event. I love this.

—Do you like travelling?

—Traveling is like breathing for me. I am a person who's main personal need is variety. Thus, the more things I see, the happier I am. I live in a small Swiss city in the middle of Europe and spend 40% of the time exploring and working outside my hometown.

—Who would you choose to try taking photos with?

—Sebastião Salgado – he is an amazing photographer but what I like the most about his work is that it really shows how much he loves people. I think I would enjoy having a conversation with him.
Annie Leibovitz – because her portraits speak to my heart.

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

—I don't have a single person in mind. I think this is the era of technology. Technology has changed the way we communicate, live and even love. Every single person who has helped change the way we interact with each other could be a symbol.

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

—The moment I had the most important breakthroughs in my life and decided to change it all. Moved from Caracas to Canada, then to North Carolina and Miami, left my career, my family and my friends to start a new life in Europe. And I made it!

—How do you improve your photography skills?

—I read books, blogs, network and exchange ideas with other colleagues, go to several workshops and conferences every year, watch films, get inspiration from paintings, music, anything that could make me FEEL.

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

—Deep inside of me I wish they were less strict. However, I love the person I am now so I don't want to change the recipe that was used in order to create the person that I am.

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

—Our extraordinary vision during ordinary moments. We are trained (or should be trained) to read between the lines. To create works of art even from day to day activities.

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

—I hate.... nothing. Everything in this world makes entire sense and should be the way it is. Even the most annoying person is there to teach you a lesson.

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

—Trying to control everything during a shoot or a wedding. When I let go and started shooting from the heart, everything started flowing.

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

—I believe I have a "potpourri" of influencers. I am not closed to any trend or type of photographer so I cannot say less than 30 names.

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

—I think the term respected is more powerful. If you are respected, even people who don't agree or like your vision, is there to listen.

—What is absolutely unacceptable when taking photos?

—Art should not be limited to any boundaries. Boundaries in photography are sometimes created by our clients. Those we should respect.

—Do you believe in life after wedding?

—Yes, an amazing one. Being single is good too, but being married is better. You get to do everything in company of your best friend.

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

—I want people to see through my eyes. I am a very positive person, romantic and somehow crazy – I want people to see what I see.

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

—I am not a worrier. When I get worried I eat chocolate. Oh yes, maybe I worry I will gain some pounds after that...

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

—A small camera of course. But let's not forget about a GPS – my sense of location is terrible! LOL.

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

—I would not change a single thing. I am young and can change anything I don't like from now on.

—Life is great thanks to:

—Chocolate, and arepas, and wine, and burratta and and of course traveling!

—The most troubling thing in life is:

—Not having any prosecco at home when I need to celebrate something.

—What would you prefer to change in the world?

—When I become a beauty pageant I will respond to this question. LOL.

—Cats or dogs?

—Both. I love pets but can't have any because I travel too much.

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

—Every single person who lives a life filled with passion.

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

—That it was so much fun! I would have started earlier :-)

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

—People who talk bad of others. It says a lot about them.

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

—Snoopy. I like sleeping in roofs, looking at the stars.

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

—What's the name of the guy who invented dark chocolate?

—Can you specify whom would you love to shoot?

—Anthony Bourdain, Roger Federer, Monica Bellucci.

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

—When I didn't buy that winning lottery ticket...

—Are there tendencies in wedding photography?

—Yes, there are. Go to any famous wedding blog.

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

—When I wake up in the morning with no makeup.

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

—Yes, in every way. From your point of view.

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

—Nothing. I will run as fast as I can! haha.

—What are your plans for tomorrow?

—Sports. I ate too much chocolate yesterday.

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

—I don't like taboos so I don't have any.

—Do you believe in the traditional gender roles?

—Not at all. Go to Sweden and you'll see.

—How do you spend your leisure time?

—I workout, travel and take more photos.

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

—When I make somebody happy with it.

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

—When you meet me. Ask me for it :-)

—What would you prefer to change around you?

—Negative thinkers. Complainers.

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

—A comedy with a romantic flair.

—Do you make friends with ease?

—Yes, love making new friends.

—Do you shoot wedding photos only?

—No. I love taking portraits.

—Is there life in the Universe?

—I like traveling. Why not?

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

—Not YET :-)

—What would you alter in yourself if possible?

—Nothing.