Photographer Krystallenia Batziou

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

—Porto is such an inspiring and romantic destination, old yet full of modern vibes, sometimes sunny but mostly moody and misty. There is a plethora of photographers telling couple's stories in this city, in order to decide who is the best for you, you need to find your match!

—Are you photogenic?

—When I have control of the camera (self-portrait) I do. However, it's like natural selection: when I have the control, the worst photos of my face won't make it to see the light. When my friends take pictures of me, it's another (horror) story!

—How did you get in the photography industry?

—I got an invitation to second shoot at Spanish-Portuguese wedding in Guimarães ( a small town close to Porto) back in 2016 and the adrenaline of a wedding day photo shoot was just love at first sight.

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

—Composition, emotions, story-telling.

—Do you love traveling?

—I love travelling.

—What do you like most about your profession?

—It's mostly the ability to "see things" others don't (because they are probably enjoying and Aperol aperitif like normal human beings instead of scanning the place with their eyes like a weirdo looking for a moment worth capturing).

—What do you like least about your profession?

—It is not pleasant when a potential client tries to negotiate your fees. Wedding photography services are definitely not cheap and I wish everyone could afford to hire good visual story-tellers on their big day, but the profession itself requires an unthinkable amount of investment (money/equipment/education/tim e-wise). Building a visual identity also requires plenty of effort and it is important for those things to be taken into consideration when looking for the perfect wedding photographer for you. There are so many different styles, color palettes, personalities etc, you just need to find your best match with the best quality/price ratio!

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

—It's a boost of adrenaline, it's like roller-coaster of emotions and a mix of so many other photography genres: it's lifestyle, portrait, studio, product, documentary, real-estate photography put together, along with the ability to detect and shoot fast with the best technique possible.

—How do you handle criticism?

—I get better at accepting criticism every year.

—Are there any trends in photography?

—Absolutely!

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

—They have to make sure they like both the shooting and editing style and that they can connect and communicate well with their photographer.

—What things are to be avoided when shooting?

—Not respecting your subject.

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

—When it makes your heart beat faster every time you look at it.

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

—Charlie and the chocolate factory by Roald Dahl.

—Who inspires you in your life and why?

—Rosie Hardy.

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

—By the smiles on your beloved one's faces when you show up with a plate full of freshly homemade cookies.

—Would you rather be liked or respected?

—Respected.

—How do you educate yourself to take better pictures?

—By watching videos of my favorite photographers of the industry, reading their books or enrolling to their online courses.

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

—I have a degree in Biology so i can scratch that from my list!

—What do you want to say with your photographs?

—Truthfulness. There's nothing more honest than love for your family, friends and other half.

—What motivates you to continue taking pictures?

—It's an addiction!

—Should your parents have been more or less strict?

—My parents were and continue being the perfect parents, with all their flaws and virtues.

—Who are your heroes?

—My grandparents, they are my heroes.

—What do you do in your spare time?

—Depending on my energy levels, I either workout or just being a coach potato watching cartoons/youtube tutorials/Netflix.

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

—What,no!

—Where would you like to live?

—I would love to live either in New York or somewhere in southern Italy.

—Do you like dogs or cats?

—Dogs <3

—The best thing in life is:

—Family, dogs and food.

—The most annoying thing in life is:

—Money.

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

—Work both hard and smart! get inspired but don't copy.