Photographe Ken Pak

—Êtes-vous photogénique ?

—I never thought I was photogenic and never wanted to be photographed, however, I look pretty cute in the photos from my early childhood.

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

—It was a pretty natural transition for me becoming a wedding photographer as many of my friends were getting married when I started taking photos. Because of this, I never attended my friends' weddings as a groomsman or guest. Rather, I always photographed their weddings.

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

—Although most of photographers would talk about light, composition, creative approach, subject, emotional impact & etc. as vital components of a good photo, I think preparation for the day and understanding of the flow , environment and subject would help yielding a good photo. Although there are moments I take photos with anticipation, however, I love when I get good photos without anticipation.

—Aimez-vous voyager ?

—Yes, I love traveling for the photo projects including weddings, fun activities, personal inspiration by the life of the other side of the world, and to see the family (I am from South Korea).

—Quel aspect de votre profession préférez-vous ?

—Photography career can be highly rewarding. I feel truly blessed when I receive compliments and appreciation from the happy clients and people.

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

—Dealing with difficult personalities and awkward characters can be most challenging to me. However, I would rather stay positive and supportive to those nature.

—Quel est le futur de la photographie ?

—For the next 5 years, another convergence of the medium will be coming like stills will be culled from 8k video footage. After another 5 years, I am pretty sure that there will always be needs for wedding photography regardless of the medium convergence.

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

—In technical term, I believe wedding photography can be practised as the collaborative work of wide range of photography types and styles. In human life, it is one of the greatest lifetime celebrations among families and friends, and I am so glad that I can capture many different levels of emotional impacts.

—Comment gérez-vous les critiques ?

—I would rather be modest and listen to the criticism if it is the matter of your growth and development process in your photography career and human relations. If you stay honest, humble and positive, there will be lesser criticism.

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

—Yes, there are trends in wedding photography just like fashion industry, however, I also see there is a range of diversity in wedding photography trends depending on traditions, lifestyle, regions & etc.

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

—As a person photographing someone's lifetime event, trustworthy, fun and flexible nature in my personality come highly valuable and appreciative among my clients and people in the industry.

—Quels sont les interdits lors de photographie ?

—Unprofessional, snobbish & egoistic manner in professional & personal aspects.

—Quels détails seul un photographe peut-il remarquer ?

—Artistic & creative approach. Also, freezing the moment, framing & composition.

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

—Cherishing the memorable moments and people from generation to generation (or among generations). Also, capturing and archiving the history of person's life.

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

—Big brothers in media.

—Qui aimeriez-vous prendre en photo ?

—I would like to continue photographing weddings, however, it will be interesting to photograph traditionally unique weddings in remote area not affected by the western culture.

—Avez-vous des tabous professionnels ?

—I would not want to spoil those wedding photographer wannabes. It takes so much of professional practice, thinking, attitude, training, study and experience. Don't believe in yourself as a professional shooter by just buying a good camera and shooting a few of your friends weddings.

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

—If I get a chance, I would love to shoot with those pulitzer winners who have not shot the weddings before. Also, shooting a wedding by side of any big names in the industry will be my great honor.

—De quoi vous inquiétez-vous, et pourquoi ?

—Bridezilla and Groomzilla. Depending on the situations, people with difficult & demanding personalities to accommodate can be a real challenge. Also, theft and robbery (although I have not experienced before) during the sessions in uncontrolled areas. Being sick can be another big worrisome.

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

—Three of my most tearful moments showing my love to my parents. I cried so much at the airport when I saw my dad leaving the state after seeing my college graduation (He supported me for 7 years in US for my high school and college, and returned to Korea permanently). I cried so much when I hugged my parents during my wedding ceremony. I cried so much when my dad was being cremated after the funeral ceremony.

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

—I would love to be Iron man, just to simply get the aerial shots. Also, seeing myself in the Iron man armor which is retrofitted with multiple super cameras will be amazing!

—Qui vous inspire dans votre vie et pourquoi ?

—Jesus Christ who keeps me being a better person.

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

—In human perspective, if I have six good men who can carry my coffin at my own funeral, I consider that as a successful life. In business perspective, if I have no haters and no debt, that will be a successful life.

—Préférez-vous être aimé ou respecté ?

—I would rather be liked.

—Quelle a été votre plus grande erreur professionnelle ?

—Encountering a media failure by using cheap media card.

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

—I will take my free & open spirit with me to enjoy the true traveling experience. If it is allowed, then I would love to travel with my wife and son. Of course, a small travel camera will definitely be accompanied with me.

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

—Lytro Illum camera. I never use it. Is there anyone who is interested in this camera? ;)

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

—I try to read/watch/visit photography related or partially related magazines, books, movies, videos (I love watching K pop music videos to learn techniques), art galleries/museums & etc. From these experiences, I love incorporating my new ideas and creative thinking in the actual shoots by hopefully getting faster spontaneous responsiveness to the moments. Also, I go to conferences and seminars, and get connected with a wide range of cool photographers from different parts of the world. Also, I shoot together with a few of my local photographers time to time for cross-inspiring and training purposes at the real weddings.

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

—Hmmm... I would say photographers in WPJA Winners Collections, Fearless Photographers Award Collections and ISPWP Award Collections have influenced me the most. I am sorry to tell you that I love all the winners, not the single one, as I admire their work so much! Also, I give a full respect to those photographers who push themselves to the infinity over creative limits.

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

—I really wish I knew a real good mentor when I started taking photos. I have had neither a mentor nor had worked for a studio during my photography career. Also, I did not have any good friend photographers until I met most of them during the past 1.5 years.

—Qu'aimeriez-vous dire avec vos photos ?

—They are fun, animated, compassionate, witty, unique, hardworking, modern, artistic, imaginative, quirky, and yet most importantly, story telling with my true spirit.

—Quelle est votre motivation pour continuer la photographie ?

—My family the most. Also, undiscovered world of photography intrigues me to challenge myself in the upcoming future. Accolades can be bonus.

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

—Less strict. Matter of fact, my mom bought me my first point-n-shoot camera when I was the fifth grade. They are always supportive and respectful to my decision, but I had to be very responsible to my decision.

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

—I would go to a renowned college of art to inspire myself with in-depth fine art. I studied Environmental Science instead. Also, I would continue playing badminton, so I could have competed in Olympics (one of my teammates from the same school team won a gold medal in Atlanta Olympic games).

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

—I am going to ask God about it.

—Qui sont vos héros ?

—Whoever influences me to become a better person.

—Pour qui n'avez-vous aucun respect ?

—People who commit sins without repent afterwards.

—Que faites-vous pendant votre temps libre ?

—Planning something ahead that would or would not happen, but it is always fun to do it. I do normal things that the normal people would do during the spare time.

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

—When I am doing post production work at home, I am normally in underwears as it happens to be very comfortable and free to myself.

—Quand êtes-vous complètement satisfait de votre travail ?

—When I hear back from my clients with lots of compliments and appreciation after they get the final release. Also, accolades are bonus to my satisfaction, but I consider myself always being in learning curve.

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

—Yes, I am in terms of marriage and family, however, roles are always subject to change based on the modern lifestyle. As long as we love each other, traditional roles are not biggie in our lives.

—Vous faites-vous facilement des amis ?

—Yes, however, it can take significant amount of time to become their best friends. I would rather be their best friends than making them my best friends.

—Où aimeriez-vous vivre ?

—I would like to live in one Korea upon unification of North & South Korea. Other than US and Korea, I would also consider living any parts around the world needing any of my contribution.

—Quelle est la chose la plus stupide que vous ayez accepté ?

—Sharing a studio space with a wedding dress/floral shop. I would never do a business with anyone in the same space.

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

—Sure thing! Your lifetime companion and kids are enough to make a dramatic change in your life after marriage.

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

—My wife and my son give me all kinds of silly talk, and I always return with a joke. Too many to list.

—Préférez-vous les chats ou les chiens ?

—We used to have a jack russell terrier and a mix dog for over 12 years. They both passed aways a few years ago, but they always stay remained in our hearts. We are planning to have one soon.

—Qui ou que détestez-vous ?

—Business partners with betrayal, lies and unacceptable manner. I can't tolerate those people, and can't deal with them anymore as it happens to be the worst time in my life.

—La plus belle chose de la vie est :

—When my son was born.

—La chose la plus ennuyeuse de la vie est :

—Dealing with business partners and friends who betrayed me.

—Changeriez-vous quelque chose autour de vous ?

—I would like to redesign my website, restart blogging, and keep up everything in timely manner.

—Que changeriez-vous chez vous ?

—I need to put something on when I am working at home.
Seriously, I need to reshape my body.

—Que changeriez-vous dans le monde ?

—Get rid of terrorists and dictators, and provide aids to those who are in desperate life situation.

—Auriez-vous quelques astuces pour des photographes débutants ?

—Learn, practise and gain lots of experience to become a true artist, not a person with a good show-off camera. Most importantly, try to understand what this day means to the wedded couple and people at the wedding, and your role there.

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

—"Do you need a photographer to document your landing and presence? The session will be free, however, you need to sign a media release form." LOL

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

—I would like to photograph an epic love story, war and drama.

—Demain, je vais aller faire...

—Tomorrow, I will go to a wedding and photograph the most amazing day of someone's life.