Fotograaf Wendell Fernandes

—Kas sa oled fotogeenne?

—I'm not sure – my wife says so :)

—Kuidas sa sattusid fotograafiamaailma?

—Long ago, a close friend of mine was getting married and had no one to capture their day. I had a simple Rebel Canon XTi and I volunteered, I look back and from that point forward I fell in love with the stories of people and their lives more than the actual photographic work – It fascinates me how people meet and how they connect and grow into a lifetime together.

—Mis on sinu arvates hea foto kõige olulisead komponendid?

—This is a tough question. There are so many things that can add up to a great photograph but I believe it all begins with a spectacular experience and interaction between the person registering those moments and the subject. Personally, I think this is the doorway to success and once this happens everything else will follow. People open up to you, they trust you, they trust your vision and creativity. A good photograph evokes reality, however blunt, drastic, romantic, rough it may be. Lighting, camera settings, location, ethnicity, culture, none of these things are as important as the actual naked reality unfolding before you.

—Kas sulle meeldib reisida?

—Yes I do. Originally from Brasil and now living in USA for 15 years, every chance I get, I do travel to know whats out there. I have been to various countries because of these stories and I believe being open to it, changes our mindset.

—Mis sulle sinu töö juures kõige rohkem meeldib?

—The fact that I can register moments that will live with them for the rest of their lives, this is impacting.

—Mis sulle sinu töö juures kõige vähem meeldib?

—Every profession has its stressful moments, but it comes with the territory, so I don't believe there is anything I can point out that is relevant.

—Millisena näed sa fotograafia tulevikku?

—There is already a demand for true storytellers, and I believe this will continue to grow.

—Mis on sinu fotograafiažanris erilist?

—Generations joining together in one loving event.

—Kuidas sa suhtud kriitikasse?

—Just like anything else, we can never grow if we don't listen and learn. From the "top" photographer to anyone beginning this journey now, we all began looking, learning from others. The secret is to be open, the next chapter will always teach us something else we need.

—Kas fotograafias on teatud trende?

—Nowadays everything seems to be done from a recipe book which takes away from the stories that need to be told coherently. Pinterest and many other sites cooperate to this trend, but I believe it is in our hands to change this. The other trend is that every photographer is now a "Photojournalism" style photographer but their work shows no sign of it.

—Millised peaksid fotograafi valides olema kliendi kriteeriumid?

—They should look for "Storytellers" – Not because they mention this "photojournalism style" in their website, but because they are more humans than professionals. They care more about the couple's stories than their own photo artwork. Couples should "meet" face to face and look for signs that will give them the comfort they are talking to a person and not a business.

—Mida pildistades kindlasti ei tohiks teha?

—Pre-conceived notions and shots. I believe every location has a great amount of potential to look different even though you've been there many times before. "What fits the story of this couple, even though I've been here before?". This type of thinking will transform the way we shoot.

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

—How light affects moments.

—Mis teeb fotost väärtusliku? Mis elemendid on olulised?

—Use of light, quantity of light is better than the quality of light. Also, lighting is probably a key element for moments to take place.

—Milline inimene on sinu arvates 21. sajandi sümbol?

—The one who is unseen, the one who is invisible, the one not seeking fame. Since we learn from each other, the stories should be what drives us all.

—Keda sa sooviksid pildistada?

—An African couple that has absolutely no glamour, but an amazing story.

—Kas sul on teatud ametialaseid tabusid?

—Not really.

—Kellega koos sa tahaksid pildistada?

—Anyone with a greater experience. Perhaps Cliff Mautner or Joe Buissink, would be a great learning experience.

—Mille pärast sa muretsed ja miks?

—Missing a moment. Inside an environment that you could never go back in time, my fear is to miss a moment that is important to the couple.

—Mis on olnud su elu kõige kõige muljetavaldavam hetk?

—Believe it or not, I think it was a day, when I was being taught to love my neighbor as myself, as it's mentioned in the Bible. I spent sometime with a very close friend, a second father to be, and I could not believe how much I needed to learn this and how this has shaped my life.

—Kui sa oleksid tegelane multikast, raamatust või filmist, siis kes sa oleksid ja miks?

—I never thought of that :)

—Kes sind su elus inspireerib ja miks?

—Jesus the man, my father and all my mentors in life.

—Kuidas sa defineeriksid edu? Kuidas sa seda mõõdad?

—Complete peace and satisfaction even though I'm in the midst of a crises.

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

—Liked. I believe respect comes after. We need to approach and be approachable first.

—Mis on suurim viga, mida sa töötades oled teinud?

—I can't recall one now, but I hope I don't have anything later either :P

—Mida sa endaga reisides kaasa võtad ja miks?

—My Canon 5D III and a Sigma 35mm and 85mm. These are my go to lenses for getting a great shot.

—Kas sul on mõni vidin, mida sa omad, aga sooviksid, et poleks ostnud? Miks?

—Not yet.

—Kuidas sa ennast koolitad, et paremaks fotograafiks saada?

—Magazines, mostly fashion and arts, and always looking to see greater experience photographers and what they are doing and why they are doing it.

—Kelle töö on sind kui fotograafi kõige rohkem mõjutanud?

—Joe Buissink's work probably.

—Mis oleks see üks asi, mida sa sooviksid, et oleks teadnud enne fotograafiaga alustamist?

—"What do I do if I turn this dial to M" :P

—Mida sa oma fotodega öelda soovid?

—Register the reality of people and their personalities.

—Mis motiveerib sind fotograafina jätkama?

—The stories of people I meet.

—Kas sa arvad, et sinu vanemad oleksid pidanud sinuga olema rangemad või leebemad?

—I think I received the best parenthood one could ever desire.

—Kui sa saaksid ajas tagasi minna, mida sa teeksid erinevalt?

—Nothing. Where I am today is a result of the choices I made, I can only change the outcome by the decisions I make moving forward.

—Kas sa arvad, et teistel planeetidel on elu?

—Only God knows!

—Kes on su kangelased?

—Jesus for giving me life and enabling me to be a father and a husband and a better man than I would ever be without His love and mercy.

—Keda sa ei austa?

—The corrupt system of this world.

—Mida sa vabal ajal teed?

—Family time. I love spending time with my children and my wife.

—Millist poolt sinust avalikkus kunagi ei näe?

—Hmmm. I don't think I have anything that I don't mention. I'm a pretty open person.

—Millal sa oled oma tööga täiesti rahul?

—When I can see a moment, register it in a great light.

—Kas sa usud meeste ja naiste traditsioonilistesse rollidesse?

—Yes.

—Kas sa leiad kergesti sõpru?

—I do.

—Kus sa tahaksid elada?

—Anywhere I can help and be more active socially.

—Mis on kõige rumalam asi, mida sa kunagi oled nõustunud tegema?

—Open businesses with others without contracts.

—Kas pärast abielu on elu?

—Yes and an abundant one.

—Kas sul on lemmiknali? Räägi see meile.

—- Knock, Knock!
- Who's there?
- Nobody!
- Nobody who?
- ...

—Kas sulle meeldivad koerad või kassid?

—Dogs.

—Keda või mida sa vihkad?

—Nothing really.

—Parim asi elus on:

—Spend time with the ones you love and care most.

—Kõige ärritavam asi elus on:

—A long mass in a wedding day.

—Kas sa näed oma ümber midagi sellist, mida sa tahaksid muuta?

—Not really.

—Mida sa iseenda juures tahaksid muuta?

—I would love to be more handy when it comes to fixing up things at home :P

—Mida sa maailmas tahaksid muuta?

—Gather all the rich and wealthy, and make an unbiased decision to change a country or a nation for the better. Implement better government and end poverty, one location at a time.

—Kas sa võiksid anda mõned näpunäited alustavatele fotograafidele?

—1) Focus on giving people a better experience than knowing "how to take photos". Being human is more important than being a "business person". Invest in yourself first, your personality and your character, then you can prepare for the business part.2) Study a lot, read, and be inspired by whats "not" photography related.

—Kui Maale saabuksid tulnukad ja sina oleksid esimene inimene, keda nad kohtaksid, mida sa neile ütleksid?

—Before you take off – let's take a selfy...?

—Kui sul oleks võimalik vändata film, siis mis žanrist see oleks?

—Drama.

—Homme hakkan ma...

—Probably answer emails, prepare for a 2016 Wedding Convention presentation in Brasil and perhaps meet some event planners from recent weddings I've shot!