Fotografer Ken Pak

—Anda fotogenik?

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

—Bagaimana awal Anda masuk ke bidang fotografi?

—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.

—Apa komponen terpenting dari foto yang baik menurut Anda?

—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.

—Anda suka bepergian?

—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).

—Apa yang paling Anda suka tentang profesi Anda?

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

—Apa yang paling tidak Anda suka tentang profesi Anda?

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

—Bagaimana masa depan fotografi?

—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.

—Apa yang istimewa dengan genre fotografi kekhususan Anda?

—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.

—Bagaimana Anda menangani kritik?

—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.

—Adakah tren dalam fotografi?

—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.

—Apa yang seharusnya menjadi kriteria bagi pelanggan dalam memilih fotografer?

—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.

—Hal-hal apa yang harus dihindari saat pemotretan?

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

—Detail apa yang umumnya lewat tanpa disadari yang tertangkap oleh fotografer?

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

—Apa yang memengaruhi nilai sebuah foto? Apa saja elemen-elemennya?

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

—Siapa yang dapat menjadi simbol abad ke-21 menurut pendapat Anda?

—Big brothers in media.

—Siapa yang ingin Anda jepret?

—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.

—Anda memiliki tabu profesi tertentu?

—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.

—Dengan siapa Anda ingin menjepret?

—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.

—Apa yang Anda khawatirkan, dan mengapa?

—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.

—Apa momen paling mengesankan dalam hidup Anda?

—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.

—Jika Anda karakter kartun, buku, atau film, siapakah Anda dan mengapa?

—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!

—Siapa yang menginspirasi Anda dalam hidup dan mengapa?

—Jesus Christ who keeps me being a better person.

—Bagaimana Anda mendefinisikan kesuksesan? Bagaimana Anda mengukurnya?

—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.

—Anda lebih senang disukai atau dihormati?

—I would rather be liked.

—Apa kesalahan terbesar yang pernah Anda lakukan di tempat kerja?

—Encountering a media failure by using cheap media card.

—Saat Anda akan bepergian, apa saja barang yang Anda bawa dan mengapa?

—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.

—Di antara gadget yang Anda miliki, adakah yang Anda harap tidak pernah Anda beli? Mengapa?

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

—Bagaimana Anda mengajari diri sendiri untuk mengambil gambar yang lebih baik?

—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.

—Karya siapa yang paling memengaruhi Anda sebagai fotografer?

—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.

—Apakah satu hal yang Anda harap Anda tahu saat mulai mengambil foto?

—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.

—Apa yang ingin Anda katakan dengan foto-foto Anda?

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

—Apa yang memotivasi Anda untuk terus mengambil gambar?

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

—Apakah orang tua Anda seharusnya lebih atau tidak terlalu ketat?

—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.

—Jika Anda dapat kembali ke masa lalu, apa yang akan Anda lakukan secara berbeda?

—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).

—Bagaimana tentang kehidupan di planet lain?

—I am going to ask God about it.

—Siapa saja pahlawan Anda?

—Whoever influences me to become a better person.

—Siapa yang tidak Anda hormati?

—People who commit sins without repent afterwards.

—Apa yang Anda lakukan di waktu luang?

—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.

—Sisi diri Anda manakah yang tidak pernah dilihat orang?

—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.

—Kapan Anda merasa benar-benar puas dengan pekerjaan Anda?

—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.

—Anda percaya akan peran tradisional untuk pria dan wanita?

—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.

—Anda mudah menjalin pertemanan?

—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.

—Di mana Anda ingin tinggal?

—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.

—Hal terbodoh apa yang pernah Anda setujui untuk dilakukan?

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

—Adakah kehidupan setelah pernikahan?

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

—Anda punya lelucon favorit? Beri tahu kami.

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

—Anda suka anjing atau kucing?

—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.

—Siapa atau apa yang Anda benci?

—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.

—Hal terbaik dalam hidup itu:

—When my son was born.

—Hal paling menjengkelkan dalam hidup adalah:

—Dealing with business partners and friends who betrayed me.

—Adakah hal di lingkungan sekitar yang ingin Anda ubah?

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

—Apa yang ingin Anda ubah dalam diri sendiri?

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

—Apa yang ingin Anda ubah di dunia ini?

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

—Dapatkah Anda memberi kiat untuk fotografer yang baru saja memulai karier?

—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.

—Jika alien mendatangi Bumi dan Andalah orang pertama yang mereka temui, apa yang akan Anda katakan pada mereka?

—"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

—Jika Anda dipanggil untuk mengambil gambar film, apakah genrenya?

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

—Besok saya akan pergi...

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