Photographer Diego Velasquez

—Are you photogenic?

—I hope I am.

—How did you get in the photography industry?

—At university, during my attendance to arts career, I stumbled upon photography, and started to explore its several types, period during which I was able to carry out several photographic coverages, among those, a violinist performance. Not long after that, she recommended me to photograph her sister ́s wedding, and providing that service, I started to get involved in the wedding photography world.

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

—Composition, lighting and creativity.

—Do you love traveling?

—Yes, I love to know places and cultures that are new to me.

—What do you like most about your profession?

—Being part of a new family at each wedding, being able to meet new people and to travel.

—What do you like least about your profession?

—Working on weekends, unfortunately you miss opportunities to share
with your own family and friends, gatherings, birthdays, weddings, etc.

—What will be the future of photography?

—I think that fast advance of technology, social networks and access to information, are a fundamental key for the future of photography.

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

—I am one of those people that believe that something definitely spiritual happens on a wedding day, with the union of a man and a woman, what is so special? that every couple is unique, with different personalities. Add to that the way a photography tells that story, and you will definitely have a very special result.

—How do you handle criticism?

—I am open to critics and suggestions, I personally believe that they help you to grow, as long as these are constructive.

—Are there any trends in photography?

—I think that wedding photography trends already exist, such as photo journalism, artistic type and those that are in constant evolution, as I mentioned before, due to technological advance and globalization.

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

—-A good portfolio (not only one or four pictures, a full portfolio). -Responsibility (It is important to have a good feeling with the photographer, in general lines I recommend a pre-wedding session so you can familiarize with the way he works, so you know if he is
punctual, responsible and creative). – Good feedback from its clients.

—What things are to be avoided when shooting?

—Disrespect in any way the photographer or its team.

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

—How light behaves and to use that to its criteria and definitely the moments.

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

—A good timing, take and composition creativity, with those elements you can touch people’s heart.

—Who do you want to take photos of?

—Dave Grohl, frontman of Foo Fighter

—Do you have any professional taboos?

—Actually no.

—Who would you like to shoot with?

—Victor Lax

—What do you worry about, and why?

—I am worried about people with a lot of power that deceive and inject hate in people, there is nothing more dangerous that a mischievous person with power.

—What is the most impressive moment in your life?

—I do not want to sound religious, but I will sound like it anyways, definitely the day I met Jesus Christ, thanks to some friends.

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

—Hahaha Goku, to defeat all bad guys.

—Who inspires you in your life and why?

—I have a lot of people that I admire, but the most important and relevant was one, that the simplest thing he did was to divide history in before and after Him, his name is Jesus Christ and his life has a lot of lessons.

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

—I think that success is relative, maybe an achievement for me, might not be so relevant for another person, is to be able to say one day: I wish to do, to have or achieve said thing, for example a family, work in want you love, understand that happiness is not given by thing but is shared.

—Would you rather be liked or respected?

—To feel respected.

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

—Not understanding well the client.

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

—I think one of the most effective tools nowadays when you are on a trip is the smartphone, since I have there my contacts, the GPS and good camera integrated, also my professional camera with one or two lenses in case I want a picture for myself.

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

—Not so far. If I want to buy something, I investigate a lot and if a colleague has it, I ask for their opinion, to verify my purchase.

—How do you educate yourself to take better pictures?

—I think that reading a lot, we live in an era where all information or a big part of it is on the internet, investing in knowledge and my favorite, sharing with colleagues.

—Whose work has influenced you most as a photographer?

—Pedro Cabrera, Erika y Lanny Mann

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

—Not always the best photographs are taken with a USD $8.000 camera.

—What do you want to say with your photographs?

—That I love my job.

—What motivates you to continue taking pictures?

—That tomorrow I will find a better image.

—Should your parents have been more or less strict?

—My parents were strict with some things and with others not, and I think I worked out.

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

—I would be more disciplined in everything, big entrepreneurs or artists always agree on discipline. As I was once taught, discipline can defeat the most talented artist.

—What about life on other planets?

—It is not something that takes my breath away but it would be very interesting.

—Who are your heroes?

—Jesus Christ, for taking my place at the cross.
My mother, for being the way she is with her children.
Pastor Alejandro, Jacobo García and Jay Watkins
Patricia Guinand, founder of Muchas Manos children’s home
My brother Sebastian for being so brave to study medicine in another country.
And many many more.

—Who do you have no respect for?

—I believe that everyone on this life deserves respect, but people can lose credibility, even respect, at this moment I feel no respect for the entire political system of my beautiful country Venezuela.

—What do you do in your spare time?

—I share with my wife, I watch a good movie.

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

—I think I always try to show my best side to people, but when I am upset is something difficult to cover.

—When are you completely satisfied with your work?

—Not completely, I think there is still a lot to do.

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

—I think that there are roles for each one, for example I am not going to tell my wife to change the flat tire, but that doesn’t mean she can’t do it by herself.

—Do you make friends easily?

—I think that friends are not everything there is, but I do consider myself extrovert and social.

—Where would you like to live?

—In Venezuela with another government system.

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

—To participate in a low budget short film with a bad script and a bad director.

—Is there life after marriage?

—Definitely yes.

—Do you have a favourite joke? Tell us.

—No, I am bad for jokes.

—Do you like dogs or cats?

—I like dogs, I would never have cats.

—Who or what do you hate?

—I hate people that take advantage of others, with lies or by force, it ́s something that really bothers me.

—The best thing in life is:

—My relation with God.

—The most annoying thing in life is:

—Being upset with my wife.

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

—Things like people throwing garbage where it is intended, or people thinking that the government is going to give them everything.

—What would you like to change in yourself?

—My love for junk food.

—What would you like to change in the world?

—Among many things that worry me a lot, is the damage that we are doing to planet earth and the global warming as its consequence.

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

—Yes, invest in knowledge, not only with money but with time and effort, the camera does not make the photographer, and to learn to respect people that have more years in the profession that us.

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

—A SELLLFIIIIIIEEEEEE…..!!!!!

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

—A science fiction movie.

—Tomorrow I will go and do...

—Thank God I am on vacations and I am going to share with my family.