Valokuvaaja Wendell Fernandes

—Oletko valokuvauksellinen?

—I'm not sure – my wife says so :)

—Miten päädyit valokuvausalalle?

—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.

—Mikä on sinusta tärkeintä hyvässä kuvassa?

—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.

—Tykkäätkö matkustamisesta?

—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.

—Mistä pidät eniten ammatissasi?

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

—Mistä pidät vähiten ammatissasi?

—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.

—Mikä on valokuvauksen tulevaisuus?

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

—Mikä on sille valokuvauslajille erityistä, johon olet erikoistunut?

—Generations joining together in one loving event.

—Kuinka suhtaudut kritiikkiin?

—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.

—Onko valokuvauksessa trendejä?

—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.

—Minkä kriteerien perusteella asiakkaan pitäisi valita valokuvaaja?

—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.

—Mikä on ehdottomasti kiellettyä kuvauksessa?

—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.

—Mitkä yksityiskohdat, jotka yleensä jäävät huomaamatta, valokuvaaja voi tallettaa?

—How light affects moments.

—Mikä vaikuttaa kuvan arvoon? Mikä kuvissa on tärkeintä?

—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.

—Kuka on sinun mielestäsi 2000-vuosisadan symboli?

—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.

—Ketä haluaisit kuvata?

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

—Onko sinulla ammatillisia tabuja?

—Not really.

—Kenen kanssa haluaisit kuvata?

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

—Mistä huolehdit ja miksi?

—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.

—Mikä on ollut elämäsi vaikuttavin hetki?

—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.

—Jos olisit animoitu, kirjallisuus- tai elokuvahahmo, kuka olisit ja miksi?

—I never thought of that :)

—Kuka sinua on inspiroinut elämässäsi ja miksi?

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

—Miten ja millä perusteella määrittelisit menestyksen?

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

—Haluaisitko olla mieluummin tykätty vai kunnioitettu?

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

—Mikä on suurin virheesi, jonka olet tehnyt työssäsi?

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

—Kun lähdet matkalle, mitä otat mukaasi ja miksi?

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

—Oletko koskaan toivonut, ettet olisi ostanut jotain omistamistasi vempaimista? Miksi?

—Not yet.

—Miten opettelet ottamaan parempia kuvia?

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

—Kuka on vaikuttanut eniten ammattiisi valokuvaajana?

—Joe Buissink's work probably.

—Minkä yhden asian olisit toivonut tietäväsi, kun aloitit kuvaamisen?

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

—Mitä haluat ilmaista valokuvillasi?

—Register the reality of people and their personalities.

—Mikä motivoi sinua jatkamaan kuvausta?

—The stories of people I meet.

—Olisiko vanhempiesi pitänyt olla tiukempia tai päinvastoin?

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

—Jos voisit palata ajassa taaksepäin, mitä tekisit eri tavalla?

—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.

—Uskotko, että muilla planeetoilla on elämää?

—Only God knows!

—Ketkä ovat sankareitasi?

—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.

—Ketä et kunnioita?

—The corrupt system of this world.

—Mitä teet vapaa-ajallasi?

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

—Mitä puolta yleisö ei koskaan näe sinussa?

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

—Milloin olet täysin tyytyväinen työhösi?

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

—Uskotko miesten ja naisten perinteisiin rooleihin?

—Yes.

—Saatko helposti ystäviä?

—I do.

—Missä haluaisit asua?

—Anywhere I can help and be more active socially.

—Mikä on typerin asia, johon olet koskaan suostunut?

—Open businesses with others without contracts.

—Jatkuuko elämä avioliiton jälkeen?

—Yes and an abundant one.

—Onko sinulla suosikkivitsiä? Kerro pois.

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

—Pidätkö koirista vai kissoista?

—Dogs.

—Ketä tai mitä vihaat?

—Nothing really.

—Parasta elämässä on:

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

—Ärsyttävintä elämässä on:

—A long mass in a wedding day.

—Haluaisitko muuttaa mitään ympärilläsi?

—Not really.

—Mitä haluaisit muuttaa itsessäsi?

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

—Mitä haluaisit muuttaa maailmassa?

—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.

—Haluaisitko antaa vinkkejä aloitteleville valokuvaajille?

—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.

—Jos Maahan saapuisi avaruusolioita ja he näkisivät sinut ensimmäisenä, mitä sanoisit heille?

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

—Jos sinut kutsuttaisiin kuvaamaan elokuvaa, mitä tyylilajia se edustaisi?

—Drama.

—Huomenna aion...

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