Photographer Calin Vurdea

—Are you photogenic?

—I try to be! But that does not come out always as planned ;)

—How did you get in the photography industry?

—I got the bug after my wedding, and thanks to my photographer and now good friend, i started walking this path.

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

—Feeling, feeling, some more feeling. Then light.

—Do you love traveling?

—Yes, a lot!

—What do you like most about your profession?

—The best thing about wedding photography is that i can get to welcome a lot of people of different kind in my little "memory factory", where we can preserve their love and emotion for them to treasure for the rest of their lives.

—What do you like least about your profession?

—Editing? Joking aside, i wish i would have the time to create more memories with brides and grooms all over the world.

—What will be the future of photography?

—We are shaping this future as we speak, all of us. Everyone can set a milestone, regardless if one thinks he cannot do it all. Also, i think that each of us can be the future of wedding photography, we just have to try harder!

—What is special in the photography genre you specialise at?

—Weddings are unique, in most of the cases it is an event that only happens once in a lifetime. And as a wedding photographer i am there to capture that moment, the start on a different path for two people, to represent their love, their feelings, in a photograph.

—How do you handle criticism?

—I am not arguing, i am merely explaining why i am correct. :)

—Are there any trends in photography?

—There have been many trends over the years. The key to success is keeping it simple, natural and classy, so that the couple can enjoy your photography for their entire life.

—What should be the criteria for a customer to choose a photographer?

—The wedding photographer's style should be able to represent the couple who has chosen him, that is the main criterion, in my opinion.

—What things are to be avoided when shooting?

—Swearing, bossing people around, generally behaving not accordingly to the event one is attending to.

—What details that usually pass unnoticed can a photographer notice?

—I think a wedding photographer sees all the small parts of the big picture called wedding, thus allowing him to create a story. One can also see those small things, that sometimes express more than what "common people" could notice.

—What influences the value of a photo? What are its elements?

—Feelings. For me, those boost the value of a photo. After that, light and composition in the frame. Also, it should tell a story, lead your mind somewhere.

—What person can be the symbol of the 21st century in your opinion?

—I think each of us should be a symbol. I cannot choose a person. He can be the firefighter who rescues a cat from a house in flames, or the photographer who captures in a photo the last smile of the old grandfather.

—Who do you want to take photos of?

—Photographically speaking? i think anyone with a strong life story.

—Do you have any professional taboos?

—Touching people, swearing, being wasted on a shoot, and so on.

—Who would you like to shoot with?

—Well, i think i would like to shoot with Jasmine Star, or Jerry Ghionis.
Apart those, i really enjoy shooting with my wife, and together we create some nice photos!

—What do you worry about, and why?

—I worry that i could let my customers down. Never happened, tho. So i always go on and strive for the best in every case.

—What is the most impressive moment in your life?

—The day i bought my first DSLR and then realized, it was not all about the camera!

—If you were a cartoon, book or movie character, who would you be and why?

—Dorian Gray, because all of us have some selfishness lying around somewhere.

—Who inspires you in your life and why?

—My wife, i always want to be so "superman"-ish, to do so many things at once!

—How do you define success? How do you measure it?

—Success is doing what i love while being able to bring joy in other people's lives, and there is no measure to that.

—Would you rather be liked or respected?

—Respected!

—What is the biggest mistake you have ever made at work?

—I accidentally broke a flower from the bride's bouquet, and i hid it quickly. But shhhh! Do not tell anyone!

—How do you educate yourself to take better pictures?

—I like to watch tutorials online. I would love to see one of the masters of wedding photography live.

—Whose work has influenced you most as a photographer?

—My mentor, who was also my wedding photographer, taught me most of the things i know now. So i would nominate him.

—What is the one thing you wish you knew when you started taking photos?

—Grab a chair, the list is so long!

—What do you want to say with your photographs?

—I want my photos to tell the story as it unfolds, like a great novel that you find in any book shelve.

—What motivates you to continue taking pictures?

—The idea of freedom!

—Should your parents have been more or less strict?

—I would have been another person in any of the above mentioned cases, but i like just how i turned out!

—If you could go back in time, what would you do differently?

—I do not think about that, that would mean i live with regrets, and time on earth is to short to live like that.

—What about life on other planets?

—Would be interesting to know about it!

—Who are your heroes?

—Normal people which are doing extraordinary things in their life. It can be the bus driver, or the firefighter, or the old man who lives somehow on a minimum wage.

—Who do you have no respect for?

—For those who show no respect for the others.

—What do you do in your spare time?

—Watch movies, play a video game, read a book...

—What's the side of you that the public never sees?

—hmmm, the dark side that is. Cookies, we has!

—When are you completely satisfied with your work?

—never!

—Do you believe in the traditional roles for men and women?

—No!

—Do you make friends easily?

—Yes, i am a social person!

—Where would you like to live?

—Wherever my heart is.

—What's the stupidest thing you've ever agreed to do?

—That is for me to know and for you not to find out! :)

—Is there life after marriage?

—Of course there is. I am still alive, am i not?

—Do you have a favourite joke? Tell us.

—Life. Period.

—Do you like dogs or cats?

—Well, let me put it this way: cats rule, the others just drool.

—The best thing in life is:

—Waking up to the smell of coffee and the person you love!

—The most annoying thing in life is:

—Your cat waking you up in the morning....just because!

—Can you give a few tips for photographers who are just starting out?

—Set high goals, keep positive and always push yourself to be better.

—If aliens come to the Earth and you are the first person they meet, what will you tell them?

—Are you looking for a wedding photographer?

—If you are called to shoot a movie, what genre will it be?

—Art Noir!

—Tomorrow I will go and do...

—...things better the today! and coffee!