Photographer Jo-Ann Stokes

—Are you photogenic?

—Unfortunately not ....but probably best that I am not because it makes me try extra hard to make my couples feel comfortable in front of the lens and capture beautiful photographs that they will love of themselves.

—How did you get in the photography industry?

—Purely by accident to be honest! My trip into photography started by documenting my life, my kids and then into landscape photography. A friend saw my photos, told her friend who was getting married and they contacted me and asked me to do their wedding. I explained that I had never done a wedding but they were fine with that. I loved it ....and the rest ...is history! And my first clients are still one of my biggest fans!

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

—A photograph that touches your soul ...no matter the composition, the editing etc ...that makes for a good photo ...no actually, that makes for a "great" photo ....but if all you want is good ..then good composition, good lighting and good posing would make a good photo .....I continuously strive to take a "great" photo.

—Do you love traveling?

—Do you seriously have to ask? I "love" to travel ...it feeds my soul, opens my eyes, enriches my life and makes me appreciate everything that God created for us.

—What do you like most about your profession?

—The creativity ...if you can visualise it ....you can photograph it! The continious learning curve....there are new things to learn all the time! I am continiously challenged and excited by my profession.

—What do you like least about your profession?

—The admin!! Wish we were taking photographs 100% of the time ...unfortunately its only a small portion of our workload. And selling myself ...I find it so hard to do!

—What will be the future of photography?

—There will alwasy be a future for wedding photography ...people will continously fall in love and want to get married and start families of that I have no doubt ....I think how we photograph weddings will stay fundamentally the same ..but the way we grab our image might change. I see change coming in the fact that we will film the wedding and grab our photographs from the video ...and I am excited about that because a hair breadth of a second can make all the difference to an image.

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

—Wedding photography is special because it makes you forget all the bad things in the world for a few brief moments. It makes you believe that the world is all rosy, full of love and that there is bright future ahead and there is truth in fairytales and the "happy ever after"

—How do you handle criticism?

—Well I am a creative ...so lets just say ...it can hurt! But I am also open-minded so I can take a step back and look at it through that persons eyes and see if their criticism is valuable. Good criticism is worth its weight in gold!

—Are there any trends in photography?

—There are always trends in photography! The question needs to be asked ..how will your images look in 30 years ...will the trend stand the test of time. Quality, timeless photography will never date.

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

—Initially the couple should love the photography ...it should speak to them. But the most important criteria is that you like your photographer and feel comfortable with them....you will spend a large part of your day with this person in your space ..its best that you like them.

—What things are to be avoided when shooting?

—Cheesy!

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

—We can see moments that develop and are waiting for them to happen.

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

—The emotion, the impact of the image!

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

—The co-founders of google, Larry Page and Sergey Brin. And our very own, Nelson Mandela!

—Who do you want to take photos of?

—My next bride!

—Do you have any professional taboos?

—One or two ...nudity is not my thing!

—Who would you like to shoot with?

—Thats a tough one ...Jose Villa, ..I love his pastel, airy, film look but I also love the dark, moody look from Susan Stripling.

—What do you worry about, and why?

—I worry about my children ...I am first and foremost a Mom! From a wedding photographers perspective ..that I lose a wedding due to faulty cards, crashing computers & harddrives. I have made every provision to safeguard my clients weddings but it is natural to worry about their images.

—What is the most impressive moment in your life?

—The birth of my sons. Everything else pales into insignificance in comparison to those moments.

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

—I am enjoying the character, Elizabeth McCord from Madam Secretary at the moment. She handles problems with intelligence, respect and sensitivity in very fragile situations.

—Who inspires you in your life and why?

—My family inspire me ...they inspire me to be better...they inspire me to prove to them that life is for living and that you make your own destiny with the choices and decisions that you make. Every action has a reaction. Mistakes are not always bad as the experience it teaches you is sometimes more valuable that getting something 100% correct.

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

—A successful person is a person who has balance in their life! A happy marriage, family life & career ..is my definition of success! Only having a successful career with money in the bank ...can make for a very lonely/empty life.

—Would you rather be liked or respected?

—Neither ....I would prefer to be loved!

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

—When I worked in banking ....I paid a rather large sum of money into the wrong persons account!

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

—My camera and a lens ...do I need anything more?

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

—a few items ...too numerous to mention

—How do you educate yourself to take better pictures?

—I attend workshops, watch videos, practice, practice, practice!

—Whose work has influenced you most as a photographer?

—Many of my photographer friends have in their own small way influenced me. Each one has at some stage dropped a pearl of wisdom on my eager ears.

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

—I initially started to play around with a camera when i was a teenager ...I wish I had figured out then, that this was the career that I loved.

—What do you want to say with your photographs?

—I am not big into props ....I prefer the people in my photographs to be the focal point. It is their essence, emotions that tell the story.

—What motivates you to continue taking pictures?

—I dont think there is anything that motivates me to continue to take photos ....I think it is an extension of who I am ...even when I dont have my camera with me ...I am still framing photos in my eye and taking a mental photo of a scene.

—Should your parents have been more or less strict?

—They were perfect. I like the way I turned out ...lol!

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

—Nothing ...if i went back in time to change anything ...then my outcome might be very different to where I am now ....and I kind of like where I am now. And if I had actually done photography from a teenager then my people skills would not have been developed. I believe there was a reason for only discovering my love for photography later on.

—What about life on other planets?

—Possible ...but have no interest in finding out ...its bad enough controlling the human race that we have here ...we sure as heck dont need the headache of another race somewhere else.

—Who are your heroes?

—There are no heroes ....everyone is only human ...we all err on this road we call life. There are people who I respect i.e Nelson Mandela, FW De Klerk, Mother Theresa, Pope Francis, Thuli Madonsela

—Who do you have no respect for?

—Dictators, bad politicians, criminals, children and animal abusers! Our president, Jacob Zuma, Stupidity, Robert Mugabe.

—What do you do in your spare time?

—My hubby has a Harley Davidson motorbike and we often will go on road trips around the Cape and needless to say ...I take photos. I enjoy socialising with fellow photographers. I walk in a farm close to my house with my dogs.

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

—They dont see me stressed or worried. I show a calm face to the outside world and behind the scenes I make a plan. I also have a wicked sense of humour that I try to keep in check.

—When are you completely satisfied with your work?

—I wish I knew the answer ...then i would create a formula and stick to it ..but there again then I might end up being bored!

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

—Yes and no ....I believe women can do anything they put their minds too ...but I also believe that men are traditionally the hunters and do not enjoy being the hunted. Let them enjoy the chase.

—Do you make friends easily?

—Very easily. I can chat to complete strangers wherever I am.

—Where would you like to live?

—If I couldnt live in Cape Town for whatever reason ...then I would go to the next extreme and live in London ...but only if I had a lot of money ;)

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

—A nude shoot

—Is there life after marriage?

—lol ...yes, definitely! I have done more and had more fun with my husband than with any other human being. He is the one who has my back, who I rely on, who I can be real with, who accepts me for who I am ...who will look after me when I am sick or sad ....to lend a Greys Anatomy line ..."he is my person" ...but yes there were times when I could have lovingly strangled his neck..he definitely still knows how to push my buttons!

—Do you have a favourite joke? Tell us.

—Yes ..I do ...but I think it might be a bit too dirty for a wedding blog ...especially for people considering getting married ...lol! Only old married couples would find it amusing!

—Do you like dogs or cats?

—Dogs ...grew up with them all my life! My dad was allergic to cats ..so was never allowed to have one ....so not too sure if I would have loved cats more!

—Who or what do you hate?

—People who are rigid and the world is black and white and do not see outside the box.

—The best thing in life is:

—free!

—The most annoying thing in life is:

—People who do not listen

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

—Yes, our incompetent government!

—What would you like to change in yourself?

—I wish I had more time!

—What would you like to change in the world?

—Evil

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

—Be unique ...find your own style ....do not be like sheep and copy everyone else! Trust in the way you see the world ..you will develop!

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

—If you know whats good for you ...turn around and run in the opposite direction

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

—A romance or a drama

—Tomorrow I will go and do...

—some food shopping, a maternity shoot, some editing ...watch our national rugby team , the Springboks play their first game at the Rugby World Cup 15 in England against Japan!