Photographer Jean Jacques Fabien

—Are you photogenic?

—I would say half photogenic

—How did you get in the photography industry?

—I was passionate about photography since I was young. It's after looking at some stunning Wedding pictures done by top photographers that I was inspired to follow the same route. The freedom of creativity is what I enjoy the most into Wedding Photography.

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

—I would say the light first. the way a subject is lit will make the picture attractive or repulsive. Then comes the subject itself.

—Do you love traveling?

—I moderately love traveling. I drive a lot and do not enjoy traveling so much.

—What do you like most about your profession?

—Freedom of creativity, woaww effect from client when he looks at his pictures, satisfaction when I download and see nice shots, freedom to organize my time as I want, never a routine, always different, meet great people...

—What do you like least about your profession?

—Sometimes very demanding which leaves me little space for family, having to recharge batteries every evenings, waiting for downloading pictures, sometimes chaining up days of shooting and having to drive long distances while being tired and sleepy.

—What will be the future of photography?

—Digital imaging has unleash creativity from photographers. I do not see it change when I see how people love pictures so much and love creative pictures. I sometimes fear that phones will replace proper cameras since it is already happening into the hotel industry nowadays. They less and less call upon professional photographers but rely on enthusiasts "instagrammers" to remain active on social networks and use phone pictures and vintage look to keep "in".

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

—Freedom of creativity, magic moments, emotions and... clothes, special mood and atmosphere, being able to direct any kind of people from simple gentlemen and ladies to CEOs and Corporate directors to do whatever you want them to do, :-)

—How do you handle criticism?

—It depends. I'm very committed into my job and I'm very generous in what I do (always deliver more photos than promise). I cannot do this job halfway. Therefore, I don't like people criticizing what I do since they don't know how much I give into what i do.

—Are there any trends in photography?

—More and more vintage type photos, more back-lit type of pictures and of course more and more drone photos.

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

—Creativity, generosity, Easy contact to make the couple at ease, being able to handle crowds, people and situations to get great photos and reassure the couple.

—What things are to be avoided when shooting?

—Getting distracted by people, girls, checking the phone at important moments, talk loud at official ceremonies... Totally prohibited to drink alcohol at a Wedding even if the couple proposes. Even after the duty, Never drink because We all have to go back home.

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

—Expressions, angles, mood, reflections, drop shadows, interesting shapes and figures...

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

—Light, emotions, the moment and sometimes Black and white can make a pictures stand out.

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

—I don't know

—Who do you want to take photos of?

—Prince William and Kate, some famous models in bridal dress, dynamic couples...

—Do you have any professional taboos?

—I never talk about religion or politics in a Wedding with anyone.

—Who would you like to shoot with?

—Some iconic Wedding photographers but also with a very good friend of mine who is also a photographer but who is currently not living in the same country than I. We started photography together but life has driven us on different paths. I would love to be able to shoot with him.

—What do you worry about, and why?

—I'm worried about unexperienced newcomers who "steal" the work of genuine photographers, of this kind of "made in china" type of mentality which makes everything available at very low price and kills the value of genuine photographers (if you understand what I mean).

—What is the most impressive moment in your life?

—Two times. When I had a great shooting session with a couple and downloading the pictures to see some iconic shots I took and see them appear on my screen and start to work them straight away. It's a great moment. Also when I deliver pictures to my clients and see there eyes sparkle when they look at the pictures and hear them say woawww.

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

—Definitely the Mentalist. This assurance to depict people, know what they think, being able in a very smart way find a solution to a problem, never panic, having a talent for repartee, not scared to say or do weird things to finally sort out an issue.

—Who inspires you in your life and why?

—God, Jesus, because I'm a believer and I strongly believe that God directs my path everyday. In many situations, I experienced "miracles". Sometimes in low season while the finances was very low, I had these unexpected calls from people I do not know and never met which hired me for a work and never saw them afterwards.

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

—I firmly believe that success is being confident and trusting in God who opens doors. In a more down to earth meaning is when you are wanted more and more by people of all social levels to do what you know the most.

—Would you rather be liked or respected?

—I would say liked.

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

—Forgot to recharge batteries, Forgot Lens and accessories on a site, distracted to a point of not shooting an important event during a wedding (generally because of being too tired), forgot cards at home, Forgot to put fuel in the car for a long drive...

—When you're going to travel, what do you take with you and why?

—I usually take all of my equipment because I do not want on site needing something and it's not there. I sometimes have to force myself to bring less equipment for practical reasons because I'm always bothered wanting to do something and not having the gears to do it.

—Is there anything among your gadgets that you wish you haven't bought? Why?

—I never regret anything I buy because they are always useful at a stage.

—How do you educate yourself to take better pictures?

—I look at what other people do in order to be inspired (like on mywed). I spend a lot of time watching tutorials on editing on the web. I also try several functions on my camera in order to shoot in a smarter way at different occasions. For instance I like to shoot with off camera flash (portable studio flash) but I also force myself to shoot without flash in order to be more efficient in some occasions and get a different feel, mood and style.

—Whose work has influenced you most as a photographer?

—Well all the works I see on popular Wedding Photographer Community such as mywed, fearless, best wedding photographers, etc... I do not have a specific preferred photographer but a lot of them.

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

—How to edit photos properly (too much colors, contrast and effects), how to shoot with straight lines (straight horizon, walls, furnitures and angles)

—What do you want to say with your photographs?

—I want to transmit emotions, beauty, woaowww, on my photos. I want my pictures impact someone who sees it.

—What motivates you to continue taking pictures?

—Freedom of creativity and the hope to get a better pose, pictures, set, models, etc...

—Should your parents have been more or less strict?

—I'm happy the way they raised and the values they imparted me.

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

—My first quotations :-), the way I would tackle a project, more research for some type of photography. I learned a few things in pain and lost some projects when I started into photography because of my lack of experience.

—What about life on other planets?

—Do not think about it and I don't think there are any other form of life elsewhere. Anyway, even though there is, we will never know and never meet.

—Who are your heroes?

—People who give there lives away everyday for others, for animals, who can take a homeless person and take care of him, people who live for others and sacrifice their own comfort are real heroes for me.

—Who do you have no respect for?

—I do not respect arrogant people who think that the world belong to them or who do not have consideration to other human being who are socially lower.

—What do you do in your spare time?

—Music, walk in nature, watch the stars, camp, cook (i love cooking),

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

—I don't know. Maybe my sensitivity to others.

—When are you completely satisfied with your work?

—When my clients are happy and congratulate me. This is the greatest satisfaction.

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

—Yes I do. I actually believe that women are equally capable of doing what men do (I had 2 women managers when I use to work an office job and they were even better in what they were doing then a lot of men). However, i believe that A man cannot replace a Woman and vice versa. A father cannot be a mother and vice versa. When people try to invert this, it creates an imbalance in the family.

—Do you make friends easily?

—Fairly yes. I'm usually easy going and get on well with people.

—Where would you like to live?

—In a rainless area, by the beach, with a nice wood or forest nearby, in a comfortable home (not necessarily big). On the coast of Mauritius (I actually live on the high grounds of Mauritius)

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

—I once agreed to do a walking virtual tour project not even know what it would cost me in time and money. I regretted afterwards not having done some tests before. It was actually a failure....

—Is there life after marriage?

—Yes of course there is an even better life after marriage.

—Do you have a favourite joke? Tell us.

—I do not have anything that comes to my mind now. It really depends on the mood.

—Do you like dogs or cats?

—I love dogs and cats. I have two dogs and one cat. I'm an animal lover.

—Who or what do you hate?

—I hate tensions, confrontations, Jealousy, tense situations, shouts, etc...

—The best thing in life is:

—To have faith, know God, be happy and have you family with you.

—The most annoying thing in life is:

—Routine, an office work,

—Is there anything around you that you would like to change?

—I would have love the society to be more secured (no thieves, robbers, abuse an all kinds of pleas).

—What would you like to change in yourself?

—I would like to be more generous and committed to others. Do good to others, not afraid to take actions to help the helpless.

—What would you like to change in the world?

—I would like the world to have faith in God

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

—Know your gears, develop your personality in order to make the couple at ease and secure, Be always concentrated in your job, be attentive to details.

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

—Go back to where you are. We have enough issues here to add another major one...

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

—Epic and adventure.

—Tomorrow I will go and do...

—A photoshooting in a hotel which was booked 2 months ago. A couple from Europe for their Honeymoon.