Fotógrafo Erik Kruthoff

—En primer lugar, ¿quién puede llamar el mejor fotógrafo en Dorado, Puerto Rico? :)

—I believe there is no set of criteria to judge who is "best". Different people want different things in their wedding photos and the goal is to find the best match for what you are looking for. I do know that I am good at what I do. If you like my style and vision than I am the best for you. All artists have to have at least a little bit of ego ;)

—¿Es usted fotogénico(a)?

—A mentor of mine, Magnum Photographer David Alan Harvey, once taught me how to "see myself" in my work. If you are true to your inner voice and vision, you should be able to look at a photograph and instantly tell who made it. Good photography is a collaborative effort between the photographer and the subject. So, I guess the answer is yes :)

—¿Cómo empezó a trabajar en la industria de fotografía?

—As a high school student I spent as much time in the dark room as possible, learning the craft of photography: Shooting, developing, and printing my own work on black and white film. My teacher identified a talent in me early on and I eventually came to make a career out of it. I couldn't ask for much more than making my passion into my job.

—¿En su opinión, cuáles son los elementos más importantes de una buena fotografía?

—It's a combination of three elements working in concert with one another: Light, composition, and moment. A good photo will elicit an emotional response from the viewer.

—¿Le gusta viajar?

—Always! I am not a notch-in-the-belt type of traveler, though. I don't operate on a bucket list and instead prefer more meaningful travel and making human and cultural connections with the people and places I encounter. I enjoy a night at the pub chatting with locals over seeing a tour-bus tourist crowded monument or famous attraction.

—¿Qué le gusta más de su profesión?

—Capturing special moments and memories that will be looked at and enjoyed for many years to come.

—¿Qué le gusta menos de su profesión?

—Not really. Even during more challenging parts, I love to come up with solutions, be flexible and try new things.

—¿Cuál será el futuro de la fotografía?

—I don't think it will change too much. Sure, trends will change but no camera or gadget or software can ever replace an artist's eye.

—¿Qué tiene de especial el género fotográfico en que trabaja?

—The pressure. You only have one shot at it and you never know what will be thrown your way. You have to be quick thinking and ready to adapt in any situation.

—¿Cómo gestiona las críticas?

—When I was younger, not well. Now that I am a bit older and have a family, I have learned the value of keeping my mouth shut and becoming a better listener.

—¿Existe alguna tendencia en la fotografía?

—I think too many wedding photographers go into a wedding with their own agenda. The have a shot list that they must do every time and think about their own portfolio instead of listening to the clients wants and personalities.

—¿Qué criterios debería tener en cuenta una persona a la hora de elegir a un fotógrafo?

—Ask to see entire galleries from a recent REAL wedding. Instagram and social media only showcase the best, most over the top images and many times come from stylized shoots of models. Have a meeting with them ahead of time to get to know each other. It's important to have this relationship.

—¿Qué no está permitido de ningún modo cuando realiza una fotografía?

—Anything goes for me as long as it doesn't offend or hurt anyone. You have to be able to read the crowd and understand the sensibilities of your clients.

—¿Qué detalles que normalmente no tenemos en cuenta puede un fotógrafo captar?

—Often times the best picture is behind the obvious action. I stay aware and on my toes to capture these little gems whenever possible.

—¿Qué influye en el valor de una fotografía? ¿Cuáles son sus elementos?

—A good photo makes an emotional connection with the viewer.

—En su opinión, ¿qué persona podría ser un símbolo del siglo XXI?

—I have no idea :/ I don't really idolize anyone in particular. I'm just trying to learn who I am and how I can contribute to this world.

—¿A quién le gustaría fotografiar?

—Fun-loving adventurous couples. I have shot celebrities before and just just treat them like regular people. I don't get star struck and think of everyone as unique individuals with their own interesting story to tell.

—¿Tiene tabúes profesionales?

—If your clients like it, it's all good.

—¿Con quién le gustaría fotografiar?

—My favorite wedding photographers: Fer Juaristi, Emin Kuliyev, Victor Lax

—¿Qué le preocupa y por qué?

—I try not to worry whenever possible. I think every wedding photographer is a little worried of failure. Once I get the photos on my computer and see that I did my job, that goes away.

—¿Cuál ha sido el momento más impactante de su vida?

—Meeting my wife and the births of my son and daughter.

—Si fuera un personaje de animación, literario o cinematográfico, ¿quién le gustaría ser y por qué?

—Don Quixote

—¿Quién le inspira en su vida y por qué?

—My two kids, easily.

—¿Cómo definiría el éxito? ¿Cómo lo mide?

—Creating meaningful art and making my clients happy. Always improving your self and honing your skills. There's no end or limit to learning.

—¿Qué prefiere, gustar o sentirse respetado?

—Respected. I am very comfortable with who I am and how I work and want to remain true to myself.

—¿Cuál es el mayor error que ha cometido en su trabajo?

—Undervaluing the importance of having relationships with other industry professionals.

—Cuando va de viaje, ¿qué lleva consigo y por qué?

—A change of clothes and my camera. What else do you need?

—¿Se arrepiente de alguno de los gadgets que ha comprado? ¿Por qué?

—none.

—¿Cómo se forma para tomar las mejores imágenes?

—I invest a lot of time in education to further my skills and vision. I study the works of the masters throughout the history of photography. I have been lucky enough to work alongside some of them. I go to at least one workshop each year to stay fresh and inspired to create.

—¿A quién pertenece el trabajo que le ha influenciado más como fotógrafo?

—Fer Juaristi, Emin Kuliyev, Victor Lax, Sam Hurd, Ryan Brenizer, Jose Villa

—¿Cuál es la única cosa que desearía haber sabido cuando comenzó a tomar fotografías?

—Painting, Art History.

—¿Qué desea decir con sus fotografías?

—A sense of shared humanity and an emotional connection.

—¿Qué le motiva a continuar tomando imágenes?

—Always improving, always searching for the perfect light and the perfect moment.

—¿Cree que sus padres deberían haber sido más o menos estrictos?

—I love my parents. I wouldn't change a thing.

—¿Si pudiera volver atrás en el tiempo, qué haría de forma diferente?

—Not major in Spanish in college, lol! Everything happens for a reason though and I have no regrets.

—¿Qué piensa de la vida en otros planetas?

—of course.

—¿Quiénes son sus héroes?

—My mentor and teacher, David Alan Harvey. We share kindred spirits.

—¿Por quién no siente respeto?

—I'm not a hater and won't even go there :)

—¿Qué hace en su tiempo libre?

—Enjoying life with my family, travelling, listening to music, watching films, playing sports.

—¿Cuál es su lado desconocido que la gente nunca quiere ver?

—I am who I am. Don't want to be anything but me.

—¿Cuándo está complemente satisfecho de su trabajo?

—Once I have the photos loaded into my computer and go over them for the first time and choose images for the sampler gallery to send to the couple.

—¿Cree en los roles tradicionales de hombres y mujeres?

—no

—¿Hace amigos con facilidad?

—yes

—¿Dónde le gustaría vivir?

—On an island in warm weather

—¿Hay vida después del matrimonio?

—Sure.

—¿Tiene un chiste favorito? Cuéntenoslo.

—I still remember what my grandfather told me before he kicked the bucket.He said,
"I wonder how far I can kick this bucket."

—¿Le gustan los perros o los gatos?

—Dogs, though I like both.

—¿A quién o qué odia?

—No way. I respect everyone.

—Lo mejor de su vida es:

—People, nature, and shared human experiences.

—Lo más molesto de su vida es:

—Hate and divisiveness.

—¿Hay algo a su alrededor que le gustaría cambiar?

—Showing people the beauty that's all around us.

—¿Qué le gustaría cambiar de usted mismo?

—Maybe a few years younger? Everything hurts more now, lol!

—¿Qué le gustaría cambiar del mundo?

—To have people see the humanity in those they disagree with.

—¿Podría ofrecer algunos consejos a los fotógrafos que empiezan?

—Keep improving yourself.

—Si los extraterrestres llegaran a la Tierra y fuera la primera persona que encontraran, ¿qué les diría?

—Have a beer!

—Si le llamaran como fotógrafo de una película, ¿a qué género pertenecería?

—Drama

—Mañana voy a hacer...

—I will be attending an open critique at a local art gallery to get feedback on a book I am working on.