Valokuvaaja Mark Fierst

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

—I think Erin Johnson is the best wedding photographer in the Twin Cities. She has been doing it for many years and has a brand that is uniquely hers.

—Oletko valokuvauksellinen?

—No, lol. That's why I'm behind the camera.

—Miten päädyit valokuvausalalle?

—I've always loved taking pictures, and a friend suggested that I do photograph friend's wedding. The rest is history!

—Mikä on sinusta tärkeintä hyvässä kuvassa?

—1. Good use of light
2. A photo existing within the context of a story
3. Intentionality

—Tykkäätkö matkustamisesta?

—I LOVE to travel!

—Mistä pidät eniten ammatissasi?

—I love meeting, working with, and becoming friends with new people. I also love being able to capture a moment that can end up meaning the world to a bride, a groom, a couple, a family member, or a friend.

—Mistä pidät vähiten ammatissasi?

—I don't like it when some photographers make it more about themselves and their "art" than the needs and desires of the couple.

—Mikä on valokuvauksen tulevaisuus?

—I honestly don't think much will change. I think weddings have some deep rooted traditions that will alway exist. If you're focus in wedding photography isn't people, you will not have success. And the underlying truths about relationships and love will never change.

—Mikä on sille valokuvauslajille erityistä, johon olet erikoistunut?

—Being able to capture a moment that resonates with a couple is one of the best part of my job.

—Kuinka suhtaudut kritiikkiin?

—I take all criticism seriously. Sometimes it has complete merit. Sometimes it doesn't. Being able to honestly and humbly tell the difference is the key to growth.

—Onko valokuvauksessa trendejä?

—There are trends in any business. Again, being able to tell which trends have merit is key to sustainability.

—Minkä kriteerien perusteella asiakkaan pitäisi valita valokuvaaja?

—1a. The Photographer's style of photographs.
1b. The personal connection you feel with the photographer.

—Mikä on ehdottomasti kiellettyä kuvauksessa?

—I think most things are on the table. I really try to capture the day as it unfolds, so laughter, tears, the ugly cry; those things are free game. Of course unflattering poses should always be avoided. And every now and then, there is that awkward moment between a family member that you just let pass.

—Mikä vaikuttaa kuvan arvoon? Mikä kuvissa on tärkeintä?

—The more emotion in a picture the better.

—Kuka on sinun mielestäsi 2000-vuosisadan symboli?

—I hope it can be Jesus. Religious significance aside, his teachings are universal: love your neighbor, love your enemy, acceptance, forgiveness, accountability. I also think the concept of putting your faith in something larger than yourself creates a humility that our world is in desperate need of.

—Ketä haluaisit kuvata?

—People having fun.

—Onko sinulla ammatillisia tabuja?

—Shooting with my camera at an angle.

—Kenen kanssa haluaisit kuvata?

—Annie Liebovitz

—Mistä huolehdit ja miksi?

—Every time I send the link to the wedding gallery to the couple, I always worry that they won't like their pictures. I always have the fear that they won't like them. I guess that fear always pushes you to be the best you can be on the wedding day though.

—Mikä on ollut elämäsi vaikuttavin hetki?

—Probably my wedding. The fact that another human would want to spend forever with me is pretty amazing ;)

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

—Winnie the Pooh. Simple. Carefree. One moment at a time.

—Kuka sinua on inspiroinut elämässäsi ja miksi?

—My wife. My kids. Jesus.

—Miten ja millä perusteella määrittelisit menestyksen?

—One review at a time.

—Haluaisitko olla mieluummin tykätty vai kunnioitettu?

—I think they go hand in hand.

—Mikä on suurin virheesi, jonka olet tehnyt työssäsi?

—I lost a memory card once. (I found it 2 months later though)

—Kun lähdet matkalle, mitä otat mukaasi ja miksi?

—I always pack too much. I always want to be prepared for whatever might happen.

—Miten opettelet ottamaan parempia kuvia?

—Copy others, lol. But honestly, look at the work of others, find what inspires you, learn how to do it.

—Kuka on vaikuttanut eniten ammattiisi valokuvaajana?

—Jeannine Pohl, another Twin Cities photographer. She has mentored be immensely, and most of what I am good at is because of her.

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

—When I first started, I had no clue how focal length affected depth of field.

—Mitä haluat ilmaista valokuvillasi?

—I would like to say that I knew who the couple was at their core.

—Mikä motivoi sinua jatkamaan kuvausta?

—I am always searching to find that perfect moment.

—Olisiko vanhempiesi pitänyt olla tiukempia tai päinvastoin?

—Less strict.

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

—I would start photography as a career sooner. But then again, life experiences have made me the photographer I am now.

—Uskotko, että muilla planeetoilla on elämää?

—The chances are miniscule.

—Mitä teet vapaa-ajallasi?

—If it has anything to do with sports, I am probably doing it. Netflix has also played a bigger role for me and my wife lately.

—Mitä puolta yleisö ei koskaan näe sinussa?

—The private side.

—Milloin olet täysin tyytyväinen työhösi?

—I'm satisfied when the bride is satisfied!

—Uskotko miesten ja naisten perinteisiin rooleihin?

—I believe in traditional roles. I believe in non-traditional roles.

—Saatko helposti ystäviä?

—I feel that I can connect with and relate to new people very well. Everyone has different standards and definitions of friends, but I feel I can be friends with most people.

—Missä haluaisit asua?

—I would love to live in Chicago. I love the energy of the city, yet it still has Midwestern values.

—Mikä on typerin asia, johon olet koskaan suostunut?

—Answering all of these questions, lol. I think there is value that you can take from any experience, even the bad ones.

—Jatkuuko elämä avioliiton jälkeen?

—Ummmm....

—Onko sinulla suosikkivitsiä? Kerro pois.

—Can't share publicly.

—Pidätkö koirista vai kissoista?

—Dogs.

—Ketä tai mitä vihaat?

—Hate? I don't know if I "hate" anything or anyone. I have a lot of pet peeves though; that's for sure.

—Parasta elämässä on:

—Bacon.

—Ärsyttävintä elämässä on:

—Haterz.LOL

—Mitä haluaisit muuttaa itsessäsi?

—the number of fat cells, lol.

—Mitä haluaisit muuttaa maailmassa?

—More love. Less hate.

—Haluaisitko antaa vinkkejä aloitteleville valokuvaajille?

—Trust yourself. Don't settle.

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

—Go back.

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

—Romantic Comedy.

—Huomenna aion...

—...all the things I didn't do today.