Fotograaf Chris Loneragan

—Ennekõike - keda sa nimetaksid parimaks fotograafiks oma linnas? :)

—There are some amazing wedding photographers in Sheffield catering to all styles and budgets, but the best wedding photographer is subjectively the one that clicks best with the wedding couple and works hard to tell the story of their day. I hope that could be me!

—Kas sa oled fotogeenne?

—No! Like many of my clients I echo the statement, "We hate having our photo taken!" For me it is about achieving a relaxed natural look, and I can only do that by chatting and laughing with my clients before I take their photographs. Everyone is photogenic and everyone has a visual story to tell – if I can capture something hidden within you ("love" maybe) then I will have captured a great image for you to treasure.

—Kuidas sa sattusid fotograafiamaailma?

—I have been a keen photographer since winning a competition at the age of 14. As a grown up I shot for stock agencies and for fun until a family member asked me to take some 'extra' photos at their wedding in addition to their professional wedding photographer. Mine were at least as good and well received as the professional's and so I struck out offering my services for free until I felt confident enough to tackle a wedding for money. Over 100 weddings later I have a strong and successful wedding photography business.

—Mis on sinu arvates hea foto kõige olulisead komponendid?

—Light, composition, natural moments, minimal posing, a story to tell.

—Kas sulle meeldib reisida?

—Yes. I have travelled all over the world.

—Mis sulle sinu töö juures kõige rohkem meeldib?

—I love the speed and quick thinking required when photographing a wedding. There is a massive sense of achievement in producing images that couples love without spending a huge amount of time, sometimes none at all, planning and executing them.

—Mis sulle sinu töö juures kõige vähem meeldib?

—I hate selling, but it is a necessary evil of the business. I would rather just shoot weddings!

—Millisena näed sa fotograafia tulevikku?

—Pretty much the same as it is now. Technology will change, but it isn't the thing that makes wedding images.

—Mis on sinu fotograafiažanris erilist?

—Interpersonal relationships with clients. A wedding photographer is a friend, a counsellor, an assistant, a go-between, and a photographer.

—Kuidas sa suhtud kriitikasse?

—Professionally on the outside, badly on the inside. It depends what the criticism is though – anything deserved makes me stop and think, and change and grow where necessary.

—Kas fotograafias on teatud trende?

—Yes, but you don't have to follow them!

—Millised peaksid fotograafi valides olema kliendi kriteeriumid?

—The personality of the wedding photographer and whether or not they like their images. Always meet for a chat and ask to see real weddings – in my opinion you should steer clear of photographers that just show images from styled shoots or portfolio building workshops as the real skill is in producing images in the pressure situation of a real wedding.

—Mida pildistades kindlasti ei tohiks teha?

—I have witnessed other photographers being divas and shouting at or belittling wedding couples and their guests.

—Mis võiksid olla need detailid, millele tavaliselt tähelepanu ei pöörata, kuid mida fotograaf võib märgata?

—Hidden hand holds, fleeting expressions, laughing children – too many to list. Details like rings and flowers are obvious and should be covered as a matter of course.

—Mis teeb fotost väärtusliku? Mis elemendid on olulised?

—A truly valuable image tells a story. A great photo will do this with perfect composition, focus, exposure and subtle editing.

—Keda sa sooviksid pildistada?

—I love shooting everybody.

—Kas sul on teatud ametialaseid tabusid?

—No.

—Kellega koos sa tahaksid pildistada?

—Annie Liebowitz.

—Mis on olnud su elu kõige kõige muljetavaldavam hetk?

—The birth of my daughter.

—Kes sind su elus inspireerib ja miks?

—My wife is my art critic and muse.

—Kuidas sa defineeriksid edu? Kuidas sa seda mõõdad?

—Happy clients.

—Kas sa tahaksid, et sa pigem meeldiksid inimestele või et nad austaksid sind?

—Respected.

—Kuidas sa ennast koolitad, et paremaks fotograafiks saada?

—Constant practice and collaborative critique.