Fotógrafo Ken Pak

—¿Es usted fotogénico(a)?

—I never thought I was photogenic and never wanted to be photographed, however, I look pretty cute in the photos from my early childhood.

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

—It was a pretty natural transition for me becoming a wedding photographer as many of my friends were getting married when I started taking photos. Because of this, I never attended my friends' weddings as a groomsman or guest. Rather, I always photographed their weddings.

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

—Although most of photographers would talk about light, composition, creative approach, subject, emotional impact & etc. as vital components of a good photo, I think preparation for the day and understanding of the flow , environment and subject would help yielding a good photo. Although there are moments I take photos with anticipation, however, I love when I get good photos without anticipation.

—¿Le gusta viajar?

—Yes, I love traveling for the photo projects including weddings, fun activities, personal inspiration by the life of the other side of the world, and to see the family (I am from South Korea).

—¿Qué le gusta más de su profesión?

—Photography career can be highly rewarding. I feel truly blessed when I receive compliments and appreciation from the happy clients and people.

—¿Qué le gusta menos de su profesión?

—Dealing with difficult personalities and awkward characters can be most challenging to me. However, I would rather stay positive and supportive to those nature.

—¿Cuál será el futuro de la fotografía?

—For the next 5 years, another convergence of the medium will be coming like stills will be culled from 8k video footage. After another 5 years, I am pretty sure that there will always be needs for wedding photography regardless of the medium convergence.

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

—In technical term, I believe wedding photography can be practised as the collaborative work of wide range of photography types and styles. In human life, it is one of the greatest lifetime celebrations among families and friends, and I am so glad that I can capture many different levels of emotional impacts.

—¿Cómo gestiona las críticas?

—I would rather be modest and listen to the criticism if it is the matter of your growth and development process in your photography career and human relations. If you stay honest, humble and positive, there will be lesser criticism.

—¿Existe alguna tendencia en la fotografía?

—Yes, there are trends in wedding photography just like fashion industry, however, I also see there is a range of diversity in wedding photography trends depending on traditions, lifestyle, regions & etc.

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

—As a person photographing someone's lifetime event, trustworthy, fun and flexible nature in my personality come highly valuable and appreciative among my clients and people in the industry.

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

—Unprofessional, snobbish & egoistic manner in professional & personal aspects.

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

—Artistic & creative approach. Also, freezing the moment, framing & composition.

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

—Cherishing the memorable moments and people from generation to generation (or among generations). Also, capturing and archiving the history of person's life.

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

—Big brothers in media.

—¿A quién le gustaría fotografiar?

—I would like to continue photographing weddings, however, it will be interesting to photograph traditionally unique weddings in remote area not affected by the western culture.

—¿Tiene tabúes profesionales?

—I would not want to spoil those wedding photographer wannabes. It takes so much of professional practice, thinking, attitude, training, study and experience. Don't believe in yourself as a professional shooter by just buying a good camera and shooting a few of your friends weddings.

—¿Con quién le gustaría fotografiar?

—If I get a chance, I would love to shoot with those pulitzer winners who have not shot the weddings before. Also, shooting a wedding by side of any big names in the industry will be my great honor.

—¿Qué le preocupa y por qué?

—Bridezilla and Groomzilla. Depending on the situations, people with difficult & demanding personalities to accommodate can be a real challenge. Also, theft and robbery (although I have not experienced before) during the sessions in uncontrolled areas. Being sick can be another big worrisome.

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

—Three of my most tearful moments showing my love to my parents. I cried so much at the airport when I saw my dad leaving the state after seeing my college graduation (He supported me for 7 years in US for my high school and college, and returned to Korea permanently). I cried so much when I hugged my parents during my wedding ceremony. I cried so much when my dad was being cremated after the funeral ceremony.

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

—I would love to be Iron man, just to simply get the aerial shots. Also, seeing myself in the Iron man armor which is retrofitted with multiple super cameras will be amazing!

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

—Jesus Christ who keeps me being a better person.

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

—In human perspective, if I have six good men who can carry my coffin at my own funeral, I consider that as a successful life. In business perspective, if I have no haters and no debt, that will be a successful life.

—¿Qué prefiere, gustar o sentirse respetado?

—I would rather be liked.

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

—Encountering a media failure by using cheap media card.

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

—I will take my free & open spirit with me to enjoy the true traveling experience. If it is allowed, then I would love to travel with my wife and son. Of course, a small travel camera will definitely be accompanied with me.

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

—Lytro Illum camera. I never use it. Is there anyone who is interested in this camera? ;)

—¿Cómo se forma para tomar las mejores imágenes?

—I try to read/watch/visit photography related or partially related magazines, books, movies, videos (I love watching K pop music videos to learn techniques), art galleries/museums & etc. From these experiences, I love incorporating my new ideas and creative thinking in the actual shoots by hopefully getting faster spontaneous responsiveness to the moments. Also, I go to conferences and seminars, and get connected with a wide range of cool photographers from different parts of the world. Also, I shoot together with a few of my local photographers time to time for cross-inspiring and training purposes at the real weddings.

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

—Hmmm... I would say photographers in WPJA Winners Collections, Fearless Photographers Award Collections and ISPWP Award Collections have influenced me the most. I am sorry to tell you that I love all the winners, not the single one, as I admire their work so much! Also, I give a full respect to those photographers who push themselves to the infinity over creative limits.

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

—I really wish I knew a real good mentor when I started taking photos. I have had neither a mentor nor had worked for a studio during my photography career. Also, I did not have any good friend photographers until I met most of them during the past 1.5 years.

—¿Qué desea decir con sus fotografías?

—They are fun, animated, compassionate, witty, unique, hardworking, modern, artistic, imaginative, quirky, and yet most importantly, story telling with my true spirit.

—¿Qué le motiva a continuar tomando imágenes?

—My family the most. Also, undiscovered world of photography intrigues me to challenge myself in the upcoming future. Accolades can be bonus.

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

—Less strict. Matter of fact, my mom bought me my first point-n-shoot camera when I was the fifth grade. They are always supportive and respectful to my decision, but I had to be very responsible to my decision.

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

—I would go to a renowned college of art to inspire myself with in-depth fine art. I studied Environmental Science instead. Also, I would continue playing badminton, so I could have competed in Olympics (one of my teammates from the same school team won a gold medal in Atlanta Olympic games).

—¿Qué piensa de la vida en otros planetas?

—I am going to ask God about it.

—¿Quiénes son sus héroes?

—Whoever influences me to become a better person.

—¿Por quién no siente respeto?

—People who commit sins without repent afterwards.

—¿Qué hace en su tiempo libre?

—Planning something ahead that would or would not happen, but it is always fun to do it. I do normal things that the normal people would do during the spare time.

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

—When I am doing post production work at home, I am normally in underwears as it happens to be very comfortable and free to myself.

—¿Cuándo está complemente satisfecho de su trabajo?

—When I hear back from my clients with lots of compliments and appreciation after they get the final release. Also, accolades are bonus to my satisfaction, but I consider myself always being in learning curve.

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

—Yes, I am in terms of marriage and family, however, roles are always subject to change based on the modern lifestyle. As long as we love each other, traditional roles are not biggie in our lives.

—¿Hace amigos con facilidad?

—Yes, however, it can take significant amount of time to become their best friends. I would rather be their best friends than making them my best friends.

—¿Dónde le gustaría vivir?

—I would like to live in one Korea upon unification of North & South Korea. Other than US and Korea, I would also consider living any parts around the world needing any of my contribution.

—¿Cuál es la cosa más estúpida que ha aceptado hacer?

—Sharing a studio space with a wedding dress/floral shop. I would never do a business with anyone in the same space.

—¿Hay vida después del matrimonio?

—Sure thing! Your lifetime companion and kids are enough to make a dramatic change in your life after marriage.

—¿Tiene un chiste favorito? Cuéntenoslo.

—My wife and my son give me all kinds of silly talk, and I always return with a joke. Too many to list.

—¿Le gustan los perros o los gatos?

—We used to have a jack russell terrier and a mix dog for over 12 years. They both passed aways a few years ago, but they always stay remained in our hearts. We are planning to have one soon.

—¿A quién o qué odia?

—Business partners with betrayal, lies and unacceptable manner. I can't tolerate those people, and can't deal with them anymore as it happens to be the worst time in my life.

—Lo mejor de su vida es:

—When my son was born.

—Lo más molesto de su vida es:

—Dealing with business partners and friends who betrayed me.

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

—I would like to redesign my website, restart blogging, and keep up everything in timely manner.

—¿Qué le gustaría cambiar de usted mismo?

—I need to put something on when I am working at home.
Seriously, I need to reshape my body.

—¿Qué le gustaría cambiar del mundo?

—Get rid of terrorists and dictators, and provide aids to those who are in desperate life situation.

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

—Learn, practise and gain lots of experience to become a true artist, not a person with a good show-off camera. Most importantly, try to understand what this day means to the wedded couple and people at the wedding, and your role there.

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

—"Do you need a photographer to document your landing and presence? The session will be free, however, you need to sign a media release form." LOL

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

—I would like to photograph an epic love story, war and drama.

—Mañana voy a hacer...

—Tomorrow, I will go to a wedding and photograph the most amazing day of someone's life.