Photographer Gantas Vaičiulėnas

—First and foremost – whom can you name as the best photographer in Vilnius, Lithuania? :)

—I came back to my home town not long time ago, before I spend a lot of time living abroad, it's hard to tell, but there is a lot of talented photographers around area.

—Are you photogenic?

—I don't see myself as very photogenic. I prefer to stay behing the camera.

—How did you get in the photography industry?

—Last 5 years I spend a lot of time traveling around the world firstly with phone in my hand. After that I was inspired by travel and nature and decided to shift to camera. I met one good photographer who introduced me to this business. I started my photography path in New Zealand.

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

—Good story and high quality combined together.

—Do you love traveling?

—I love traveling.

—What do you like most about your profession?

—Possibility to be creative.

—What do you like least about your profession?

—That some people not valuating photography as a good proffesion.

—What will be the future of photography?

—As cameras improving every year and even with the phone you can reach good results, I think the future will be story telling and creativity.

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

—Elompments, portrait. But I love travel photography most.

—How do you handle criticism?

—I'm okay with rational critisism.

—Are there any trends in photography?

—To be unique and have unique style is I trend I think. There is different trend comes and go all the time.

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

—The style of photographer, need to be sure what style suits you. Also as I mentioned before – story telling and good quality.

—What things are to be avoided when shooting?

—People eating, chewing food

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

—As a photographer you always have side view of event, so you see all this from different perspective.

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

—Good story, beautiful colors, high quality, composition.

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

—Hard to say. .. 21st century is century of liberal beings... Let's say it's person with a lot of freedom to create and novatory ideas to change the world for better.

—Who do you want to shoot?

—Don't have specific person. I wish to do elopement photoshoot somewhere surrounded by moutnains durring sunset.

—Do you have any professional taboos?

—Not really.

—Who would you like to shoot with?

—Dont' have specific person. To work with someone in team for me is very important is respect.

—What do you worry about, and why?

—About casual world problems. Nothing specific.

—What is the most impressive moment in your life?

—There is no such a moment. But I would say my travels, beacause that's how I met my beautiful wife.

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

—I would be a wizard. Magic world is more interesting.

—Who inspires you in your life and why?

—Family, friends, other creative people I know.

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

—It could be different criterias. For me it's success at work and happy family life.

—Would you rather be liked or respected?

—Respected.

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

—Still waiting for that mistake to come. I hope it will never come.

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

—I love active lifestyle, so it's always related with comfortable clothes, shoes. My camera of course.

—Is there anything that you wish you hadn't bought among the gadgets that you own? Why?

—No, I think I need more equimpent.

—How do you educate yourself to take better pictures?

—Looking to other creators, watching tutorials, praticing.

—Whose work has influenced you most as a photographer?

—There is no one person. There is many good creators around the world – they inspiring me every day.

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

—Not to focus on the gear, but focus on story. Every day you learn something more.

—What do you want to say with your photographs?

—I want to be known by my style and my story telling. I want have unique style.

—What motivates you to continue taking pictures?

—Self motivation, family, photographers who is waaaaay better than me.

—Should your parents have been more or less strict?

—Less.

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

—Start taking pictures earlier. haha

—What about life on other planets?

—I wish.

—Who are your heroes?

—Casual people who show rescpect and support each other every day.

—Who do you have no respect for?

—Arrogance, dissprect.

—What do you do in your spare time?

—Love active lifestyle, outdoors.

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

—I'm a introvert, love to have some time by spending alone.

—When are you completely satisfied with your work?

—I still feel that I'm improving every time I shoot, so I'm satysfied about that.

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

—No

—Do you make friends easily?

—Yes, depends of situation.

—Where would you like to live?

—Close to the sea with good weather all year.

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

—Not sure.

—Is there life after marriage?

—Yeah, but different.

—Do you have a favorite joke? Tell us.

—Not really.

—Do you like dogs or cats?

—I love all animals, but between cats and dogs, I prefer dogs.

—Who or what do you hate?

—Arrogant, disrespectful people.

—The best thing in life is:

—To know how to relax.

—The most annoying thing in life is:

—Stress, anxiety.

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

—Have many plans, but let's leave it fot the future.

—What would you like to change in yourself?

—Have more patience.

—What would you like to change in the world?

—I wish all people in the world to have same opportunities and same rights.

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

—Not to give up, it's very hard at the beggining and it's easy to give up.

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

—My name?

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

—Fantastic.

—Tomorrow I will go and do...

—Take some pictures.