Fotograaf Chris Loneragan

—Ten eerste - wie beschouwt u als de beste fotograaf in Sheffield, Verenigd Koninkrijk? :)

—There are some amazing wedding photographers in Sheffield catering to all styles and budgets, but the best wedding photographer is subjectively the one that clicks best with the wedding couple and works hard to tell the story of their day. I hope that could be me!

—Bent u fotogeniek?

—No! Like many of my clients I echo the statement, "We hate having our photo taken!" For me it is about achieving a relaxed natural look, and I can only do that by chatting and laughing with my clients before I take their photographs. Everyone is photogenic and everyone has a visual story to tell – if I can capture something hidden within you ("love" maybe) then I will have captured a great image for you to treasure.

—Hoe bent u beland in de fotografie-industrie?

—I have been a keen photographer since winning a competition at the age of 14. As a grown up I shot for stock agencies and for fun until a family member asked me to take some 'extra' photos at their wedding in addition to their professional wedding photographer. Mine were at least as good and well received as the professional's and so I struck out offering my services for free until I felt confident enough to tackle a wedding for money. Over 100 weddings later I have a strong and successful wedding photography business.

—Wat zijn volgens u de belangrijkste elementen van een goede foto?

—Light, composition, natural moments, minimal posing, a story to tell.

—Houdt u van reizen?

—Yes. I have travelled all over the world.

—Wat vindt u het leukst aan uw beroep?

—I love the speed and quick thinking required when photographing a wedding. There is a massive sense of achievement in producing images that couples love without spending a huge amount of time, sometimes none at all, planning and executing them.

—Wat vindt u het minst leuk aan uw beroep?

—I hate selling, but it is a necessary evil of the business. I would rather just shoot weddings!

—Wat ziet u de toekomst van fotografie?

—Pretty much the same as it is now. Technology will change, but it isn't the thing that makes wedding images.

—Wat is er bijzonder aan het fotografiegenre waarin u zich specialiseert?

—Interpersonal relationships with clients. A wedding photographer is a friend, a counsellor, an assistant, a go-between, and a photographer.

—Hoe gaat u om met kritiek?

—Professionally on the outside, badly on the inside. It depends what the criticism is though – anything deserved makes me stop and think, and change and grow where necessary.

—Zijn er bepaalde trends in fotografie?

—Yes, but you don't have to follow them!

—Welke criteria moet de klant hanteren bij het kiezen van een fotograaf?

—The personality of the wedding photographer and whether or not they like their images. Always meet for a chat and ask to see real weddings – in my opinion you should steer clear of photographers that just show images from styled shoots or portfolio building workshops as the real skill is in producing images in the pressure situation of a real wedding.

—Wat is er totaal uit den boze bij het fotograferen?

—I have witnessed other photographers being divas and shouting at or belittling wedding couples and their guests.

—Welke details die vaak onopgemerkt gaan, kan een fotograaf vastleggen?

—Hidden hand holds, fleeting expressions, laughing children – too many to list. Details like rings and flowers are obvious and should be covered as a matter of course.

—Wat beïnvloedt de waarde van een foto? Wat zijn de elementen ervan?

—A truly valuable image tells a story. A great photo will do this with perfect composition, focus, exposure and subtle editing.

—Wie wil u graag fotograferen?

—I love shooting everybody.

—Heeft u bepaalde taboes op professioneel vlak?

—No.

—Met wie zou u graag fotograferen?

—Annie Liebowitz.

—Wat is het meest indrukwekkende moment van uw leven?

—The birth of my daughter.

—Wie inspireert u in uw leven en waarom?

—My wife is my art critic and muse.

—Hoe definieert u succes? Hoe meet u het?

—Happy clients.

—Bent u liever graag gezien of gerespecteerd?

—Respected.

—Hoe leert u bij om betere foto's te maken?

—Constant practice and collaborative critique.