Photographer Kristian Leven

—Are you photogenic?

—I like to think that my greying temples give me a certain je ne sai quois.

—How did you get in the photography industry?

—It was 2009, and I was doing a lot of documentary-style travel photography at the time. I took my camera to a friend's wedding, and shot the whole day in that style and loved it – importantly, so did the my friend! It was a lightbulb moment and I realised I might be onto something....

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

—Without question: light – composition – emotion/story. With all those involved, you're onto a winner.

—Do you love traveling?

—Absolutely love it. If it wasn't for travelling I doubt whether I'd have gone onto become a photographer. I loved how having a camera in my hand was a ticket into the lives of the local people, as I would regularly wonder into areas away from the tourist crowd.

—What do you like most about your profession?

—That I get to make a living from taking pictures that excite me.

—What do you like least about your profession?

—Probably spending more time in front of a computer than out taking pictures! It's my own fault really, and it's something I'm addressing this year.

—What will be the future of photography?

—Who knows, but whatever it is creating amazing imagery will always be at the heart of it.

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

—For me it's that out-pouring of emotion – we work so hard at times to remain composed, that I love those moments when we let it all go.

—How do you handle criticism?

—I used to be pretty bad at taking it, but have become better with age. It's just a person's point of view, and I'll take it with a pinch of salt.

—Are there any trends in photography?

—Plenty I'm sure! I just don't pay attention to them :)

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

—Every couple is different, with different needs and wants, so they should discuss it between themselves what's important to them, and then find a photographer that ticks those boxes.

—What things are to be avoided when shooting?

—Checking the football scores...

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

—All those tiny moments that happen throughout the day, that we've learnt to anticipate.

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

—I would love to come up with a deep and meaningful response, but I have nothing.

—Who do you want to take photos of?

—Jack Nicholson. Such a dude.

—Do you have any professional taboos?

—Not that I know of....

—Who would you like to shoot with?

—Alex Webb or James Nachtwey – two of my photography heroes.

—What do you worry about, and why?

—My legacy – I want to look back on my life and not have the regret that I could've worked harder and taken better pictures. I really want to create a body of work that is something special and I'm proud of.

—What is the most impressive moment in your life?

—It's got to be becoming a full-time photographer. I was working in an acting agency in London training to be an agent, where I wasn't particularly happy living off other people's creativity. So with a single thought I changed my life: I wanted to be creative myself, and become a photographer. I didn't tell anyone, I just bought a camera with the bonus I received, and went about learning the craft. And here I am nine years later.

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

—I'm not very good at these type of questions! I'll have a think...

—Who inspires you in your life and why?

—Photographically it's got to be a friend of mine, Ross Harvey – he's incredible driven, and equally as talented. I've been away travelling with him a few times and his work ethic is something I'm trying to replicate – first one out, last one in. His pictures are a testament to all that hard work.

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

—I think as long as you're in a position to do what you want to, when you want to do it, then I think you're succeeding in life.

—Would you rather be liked or respected?

—Respected.

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

—Keeping my warm, winter coat on as I photographed a Mendhi service (my first paid photography job) in a hot room with about 100 people in it. I couldn't take it off though as I sweated through my grey shirt and it looked horrendous! So I kept it on, much to the amusement of all the guests as they followed my red, sweaty face around.

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

—Two camera bodies, 35mm + 85mm, plenty of memory cards, two external hard-drives, Nakd bars, 5 t-shirts, two long trousers, two pairs of shorts, walking shoes, flip flops and factor 30 suncream. Because I is well pale.

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

—I must have one...Argh another one I have to come back to!

—How do you educate yourself to take better pictures?

—Look at the work of photographers whom you admire, or pictures that you really like, and work out what you really like about them and why.

—Whose work has influenced you most as a photographer?

—Alex Webb + James Nachtwey – I shoot in a real documentary style and these two have had a massive influence on the way I compose and shoot in general.

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

—Who all the great documentary + street photographers were – I found it all for myself eventually, but knowing them at the start would've speeded up my development at the time.

—What do you want to say with your photographs?

—That the world is beautiful.

—What motivates you to continue taking pictures?

—Taking better pictures!

—Should your parents have been more or less strict?

—Less strict for sure!

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

—Take up photography earlier. But that's a minor quibble. I'm just so happy I took it up at all.

—What about life on other planets?

—Oh definitely! Without question.

—Who are your heroes?

—Photographically those two again – Webb + Nachtwey.

—Who do you have no respect for?

—Sexists, racists, and homophobes.

—What do you do in your spare time?

—Travel as much as I can. If not, then planning when the next trip is.

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

—The shy side.

—When are you completely satisfied with your work?

—When I know that I've done my absolute best.

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

—Not at all.

—Do you make friends easily?

—I like to think so :)

—Where would you like to live?

—Primrose Hill, London. Love that area so much, and I love the thought of living in the heart of London.

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

—No comment...

—Is there life after marriage?

—Absolutely!

—Do you have a favourite joke? Tell us.

—They're all really long! Wait let me Google a quick one:Wow, that didn't help at all.

—Do you like dogs or cats?

—Dogs!

—Who or what do you hate?

—Ignorant people.

—The best thing in life is:

—continually following your excitement and seeing where it leads you.

—The most annoying thing in life is:

—Paperwork....

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

—Not really, I'm pretty content :)

—What would you like to change in yourself?

—To not be too hard on myself. I'm working on it!

—What would you like to change in the world?

—That wealth is distributed more evenly.

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

—Your website is your shop window – make sure it looks fresh + modern.
Develop your own style away from weddings – it'll come across when you come back to shooting them.
When you're shooting keep asking yourself, am I doing my best? Whenever I become aware that I may have slowed down a gear I ask myself that question, and it immediately spurs me back into action. If you're doing your best at all times, you can never berate yourself later on, as nothing is better than your best.

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

—"Can I have a ride if your spaceship?"

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

—Film Noirish

—Tomorrow I will go and do...

—...a wedding.