Photographer Marius Barbulescu

—Are you photogenic?

—​Very rarely! :)

—How did you get in the photography industry?

—​I was 20 and had a photography class at the University! The moment I shot the first roll of film with a SLR, I was hooked for life! I feel very old at 32 saying I've started photography shooting film.

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

—​To send a message, a feeling or to make you remember things. We’re losing so many good things along the way in our journey through life like innocence, compassion, humanity, sincerity… just to name a few. Kids have them naturally, we’re born rich and most of the people die poor of these.

—Do you love traveling?

—​Yes! I can be on the road 365 days a year, but only if I’m with my family. Home is wherever I’m with them.

—What do you like most about your profession?

—​
The freedom to organize my life just as I want, the people I meet, the friends I make, the places I visit… I have at least 1000 reasons. Shooting weddings is for me my chance to use everything I experienced personally to create something new every week. Photography is not objective and it's a good thing because it lets us choose how we tell the stories. It's a refuge for me and an act that leaves me with no masks (or very few of them). I'm trying to shoot in a very sincere way.

—What do you like least about your profession?

—​Deadlines! Sometimes it gets frustrating, but I’m getting better and better with them.

—What will be the future of photography?

—​I have no idea, but I’d love to live it.

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

—​For me it’s the freedom it gives me… I have a license to shoot everyone! And weddings are not just super fun, but also extremely diverse. I love that!

—How do you handle criticism?

—​Pretty well because I'm already my own fiercest critique. Nobody can match this! :)

—Are there any trends in photography?

—Of course. But good photography is forever.

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

—​I'd check to see if the work of the photographer I like is consistent, if he blogs every wedding he's shooting and, after a short talk over skype or face to face, if we get along fine.

—What things are to be avoided when shooting?

—​Touching people and being in the center of attention.

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

—​“Common” people can become excellent photographers with experience. It’s just that good wedding photographers are trained to see more the “in between” moments, small gestures that make all the difference, little stories within bigger ones.

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

—Composition + moment + light. For a great photo you can't exclude any of these.

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

—​Anyone that can bring peace and make the world a better place for everybody, not just for a few of us. Jesus Christ maybe if He decides to pay us a visit again.

—Who do you want to shoot?

—I let my destiny to choose that for me.

—Do you have any professional taboos?

—I am never allowing myself to be bored or tired while shooting a wedding... ok, maybe a little bored from time to time, but I'm always trying to make things more interesting.

—Who would you like to shoot with?

—​So many people and they know who they are… but right now Sergio and Kelly from www.kellyandsergio.com intrigue me a lot. Their work is so original and authentic.

—What do you worry about, and why?

—​I worry every time that I’m faking photography and that I suck!

—What is the most impressive moment in your life?

—​The moment my son was born.

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

—​Sam Gamgee from Lord of the Rings! If more people would be like him, we’d live in a happier place!

—Who inspires you in your life and why?

—​Anyone who doesn’t put his own self in front of everybody else. We live in a selfish world and I’m trying to cure myself from that too.

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

—​Success is when you manage to bring balance in you and around you.

—Would you rather be liked or respected?

—​I don’t fight for any of these, so I can’t answer. If I get to be liked or respected it's because I did something good. I only fight to do good things.

—How do you educate yourself to take better pictures?

—Every year I buy some photography books (not wedding photography, mostly photojournalism). I look at a lot of pictures (mywed is also a constant source of inspiration) and try to analyze the things I like in a picture. I shoot a lot of IPhone pictures and I try to stay alert to any interesting situations that might occur around me. A photographer should never "sleep", training and educating for this si a life long mission.

—Whose work has influenced you most as a photographer?

—So many, but mostly Saul Laiter, Sam Abell and James Nachtway. In wedding photography it was Jeff Ascough at first and then Ben and Erin Chrisman that started all for me! Their work made me want to become a better wedding photographer for all the good reasons.

—What motivates you to continue taking pictures?

—​The life I have now is a good one, I strive to keep it like this.

—Should your parents have been more or less strict?

—I have the best parents in the world, I wouldn't change anything.

—What about life on other planets?

—Yes.

—Who are your heroes?

—The people who genuinely love to help the ones in need.

—Who do you have no respect for?

—Selfishness.

—What do you do in your spare time?

—​Family time, traveling, reading, movies, playing video games with my son.

—When are you completely satisfied with your work?

—​I’m far from being satisfied!

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

—​No.

—Do you make friends easily?

—​Friendship is a ship that take a long time to build, so, no, I don’t make friends easily! But I'm an easygoing person, I get along fine with almost everyone.

—Where would you like to live?

—​Near a forest and a lake, a few kilometers away from civilization, but with Internet and electricity. :)

—Is there life after marriage?

—​Having or adopting a kid is life, so, yes, there is a lot of life after marriage.

—Do you like dogs or cats?

—​Both!

—Who or what do you hate?

—​I’m trying hard not to hate anyone! So nobody, but I’m scared of extremists (any type of extremists)!

—The best thing in life is:

—​Children

—The most annoying thing in life is:

—​Adults

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

—​Preconceptions, I’d love to see the people more open minded (me included).

—What would you like to change in yourself?

—​The same things I’d like to change in other people too.

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

—​You photography can only be as good as you are… so instead of learning tons of new tricks, invest in yourself, but not in a selfish way.

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

—​Go back, we’re not ready!

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

—​Sci Fi

—Tomorrow I will go and do...

—​A 10km run!