Photographe Erik Kruthoff

—First and foremost – whom can you name as the best photographer in Dorado, Porto Rico? :)

—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 ;)

—Êtes-vous photogénique ?

—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 :)

—Comment avez-vous commencé à travailler dans la photographie ?

—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.

—Selon vous, quels sont les éléments les plus importants d'une bonne photo ?

—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.

—Aimez-vous voyager ?

—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.

—Quel aspect de votre profession préférez-vous ?

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

—Quel aspect de votre profession aimez-vous le moins ?

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

—Quel est le futur de la photographie ?

—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.

—Qu'est-ce que le style de photographie dans lequel vous travaillez a de spécial ?

—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.

—Comment gérez-vous les critiques ?

—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.

—Y a-t-il des modes dans la photographie ?

—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.

—Quels devraient être les critères pour qu'un client choisisse un photographe ?

—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.

—Quels sont les interdits lors de photographie ?

—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.

—Quels détails seul un photographe peut-il remarquer ?

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

—Qu'est-ce qui influence la valeur d'une photo ? Quels en sont les éléments ?

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

—Quelle personne peut être le symbole du 21ème siècle selon vous ?

—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.

—Qui aimeriez-vous prendre en photo ?

—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.

—Avez-vous des tabous professionnels ?

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

—Avec quel photographe aimeriez-vous faire une séance photo ?

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

—De quoi vous inquiétez-vous, et pourquoi ?

—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.

—Quel a été le moment le plus impressionnant de votre vie ?

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

—Si vous étiez un personnage de dessin animé, de livre ou de film, qui seriez-vous et pourquoi ?

—Don Quixote

—Qui vous inspire dans votre vie et pourquoi ?

—My two kids, easily.

—Comment définissez-vous le succès ? Comment le mesurez-vous ?

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

—Préférez-vous être aimé ou respecté ?

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

—Quelle a été votre plus grande erreur professionnelle ?

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

—Quand vous partez en voyage que prenez-vous avec vous et pourquoi ?

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

—Est-ce que vous regrettez d'avoir acheté un de vos gadgets ? Lequel et pourquoi ?

—none.

—Quelle méthode utilisez-vous pour améliorer vos prises de photo ?

—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.

—Qui vous a influencé le plus en tant que photographe ?

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

—Quelle chose auriez-vous aimer connaître avant de vous lancer dans la photographie ?

—Painting, Art History.

—Qu'aimeriez-vous dire avec vos photos ?

—A sense of shared humanity and an emotional connection.

—Quelle est votre motivation pour continuer la photographie ?

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

—Pensez-vous que vos parents auraient dû être plus stricts ? Moins stricts ?

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

—Si vous pouviez revenir dans le temps, que changeriez-vous ?

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

—Que pensez-vous de la vie sur d'autres planètes ?

—of course.

—Qui sont vos héros ?

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

—Pour qui n'avez-vous aucun respect ?

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

—Que faites-vous pendant votre temps libre ?

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

—Quel aspect de votre personnalité le public ne voit pas ?

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

—Quand êtes-vous complètement satisfait de votre travail ?

—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.

—Croyez-vous en le traditionalisme des rôles de l'homme et de la femme ?

—no

—Vous faites-vous facilement des amis ?

—yes

—Où aimeriez-vous vivre ?

—On an island in warm weather

—Existe-t-il une vie après le mariage ?

—Sure.

—Avez-vous une blague préférée ? Racontez-la.

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

—Préférez-vous les chats ou les chiens ?

—Dogs, though I like both.

—Qui ou que détestez-vous ?

—No way. I respect everyone.

—La plus belle chose de la vie est :

—People, nature, and shared human experiences.

—La chose la plus ennuyeuse de la vie est :

—Hate and divisiveness.

—Changeriez-vous quelque chose autour de vous ?

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

—Que changeriez-vous chez vous ?

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

—Que changeriez-vous dans le monde ?

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

—Auriez-vous quelques astuces pour des photographes débutants ?

—Keep improving yourself.

—Des extraterrestres arrivent sur Terre et vous êtes le premier à les rencontrer. Que leur dites-vous ?

—Have a beer!

—Vous êtes appelé pour tourner un film. De quel genre serait-il ?

—Drama

—Demain, je vais aller faire...

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