Valokuvaaja Erik Kruthoff

—Ennen kaikkea - kenet voit nimetä parhaaksi kuvaajaksi kaupungissasi? :)

—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 ;)

—Oletko valokuvauksellinen?

—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 :)

—Miten päädyit valokuvausalalle?

—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.

—Mikä on sinusta tärkeintä hyvässä kuvassa?

—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.

—Tykkäätkö matkustamisesta?

—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.

—Mistä pidät eniten ammatissasi?

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

—Mistä pidät vähiten ammatissasi?

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

—Mikä on valokuvauksen tulevaisuus?

—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.

—Mikä on sille valokuvauslajille erityistä, johon olet erikoistunut?

—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.

—Kuinka suhtaudut kritiikkiin?

—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.

—Onko valokuvauksessa trendejä?

—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.

—Minkä kriteerien perusteella asiakkaan pitäisi valita valokuvaaja?

—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.

—Mikä on ehdottomasti kiellettyä kuvauksessa?

—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.

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

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

—Mikä vaikuttaa kuvan arvoon? Mikä kuvissa on tärkeintä?

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

—Kuka on sinun mielestäsi 2000-vuosisadan symboli?

—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.

—Ketä haluaisit kuvata?

—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.

—Onko sinulla ammatillisia tabuja?

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

—Kenen kanssa haluaisit kuvata?

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

—Mistä huolehdit ja miksi?

—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.

—Mikä on ollut elämäsi vaikuttavin hetki?

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

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

—Don Quixote

—Kuka sinua on inspiroinut elämässäsi ja miksi?

—My two kids, easily.

—Miten ja millä perusteella määrittelisit menestyksen?

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

—Haluaisitko olla mieluummin tykätty vai kunnioitettu?

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

—Mikä on suurin virheesi, jonka olet tehnyt työssäsi?

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

—Kun lähdet matkalle, mitä otat mukaasi ja miksi?

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

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

—none.

—Miten opettelet ottamaan parempia kuvia?

—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.

—Kuka on vaikuttanut eniten ammattiisi valokuvaajana?

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

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

—Painting, Art History.

—Mitä haluat ilmaista valokuvillasi?

—A sense of shared humanity and an emotional connection.

—Mikä motivoi sinua jatkamaan kuvausta?

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

—Olisiko vanhempiesi pitänyt olla tiukempia tai päinvastoin?

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

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

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

—Uskotko, että muilla planeetoilla on elämää?

—of course.

—Ketkä ovat sankareitasi?

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

—Ketä et kunnioita?

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

—Mitä teet vapaa-ajallasi?

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

—Mitä puolta yleisö ei koskaan näe sinussa?

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

—Milloin olet täysin tyytyväinen työhösi?

—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.

—Uskotko miesten ja naisten perinteisiin rooleihin?

—no

—Saatko helposti ystäviä?

—yes

—Missä haluaisit asua?

—On an island in warm weather

—Jatkuuko elämä avioliiton jälkeen?

—Sure.

—Onko sinulla suosikkivitsiä? Kerro pois.

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

—Pidätkö koirista vai kissoista?

—Dogs, though I like both.

—Ketä tai mitä vihaat?

—No way. I respect everyone.

—Parasta elämässä on:

—People, nature, and shared human experiences.

—Ärsyttävintä elämässä on:

—Hate and divisiveness.

—Haluaisitko muuttaa mitään ympärilläsi?

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

—Mitä haluaisit muuttaa itsessäsi?

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

—Mitä haluaisit muuttaa maailmassa?

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

—Haluaisitko antaa vinkkejä aloitteleville valokuvaajille?

—Keep improving yourself.

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

—Have a beer!

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

—Drama

—Huomenna aion...

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