Fotograaf Erik Kruthoff

—Ten eerste - wie beschouwt u als de beste fotograaf 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 ;)

—Bent u fotogeniek?

—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 :)

—Hoe bent u beland in de fotografie-industrie?

—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.

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

—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.

—Houdt u van reizen?

—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.

—Wat vindt u het leukst aan uw beroep?

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

—Wat vindt u het minst leuk aan uw beroep?

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

—Wat ziet u de toekomst van fotografie?

—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.

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

—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.

—Hoe gaat u om met kritiek?

—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.

—Zijn er bepaalde trends in fotografie?

—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.

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

—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.

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

—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.

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

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

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

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

—Welke persoon kan volgens u symbool staan voor de 21e eeuw?

—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.

—Wie wil u graag fotograferen?

—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.

—Heeft u bepaalde taboes op professioneel vlak?

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

—Met wie zou u graag fotograferen?

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

—Waar maakt u zich zorgen over en waarom?

—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.

—Wat is het meest indrukwekkende moment van uw leven?

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

—Als u een personage van een cartoon, boek of film was, wie zou u dan zijn?

—Don Quixote

—Wie inspireert u in uw leven en waarom?

—My two kids, easily.

—Hoe definieert u succes? Hoe meet u het?

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

—Bent u liever graag gezien of gerespecteerd?

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

—Wat is de grootste fout die u ooit begaan heeft op professioneel vlak?

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

—Wat neemt u mee op reis en waarom?

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

—Is er iets dat u liever niet gekocht had tussen de gadgets die u bezit? Waarom?

—none.

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

—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.

—Wiens werk heeft u het meest beïnvloed als fotograaf?

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

—Wat had u graag geweten toen u begon als fotograaf?

—Painting, Art History.

—Wat wil u graag zeggen met uw foto's?

—A sense of shared humanity and an emotional connection.

—Wat motiveert u om foto's te blijven maken?

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

—Hadden uw ouders strenger of minder streng moeten zijn?

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

—Wat zou u anders doen als u in de tijd kon terugkeren?

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

—Wat denkt u over leven op andere planeten?

—of course.

—Wie zijn uw helden?

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

—Voor wie kan u geen respect opbrengen?

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

—Wat doet u in uw vrije tijd?

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

—Welke kant van u krijgt het publiek niet te zien?

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

—Wanneer bent u helemaal tevreden over uw werk?

—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.

—Gelooft u in een traditionele rolverdeling voor man en vrouw?

—no

—Maakt u gemakkelijk vrienden?

—yes

—Waar zou u graag wonen?

—On an island in warm weather

—Is er een leven na het huwelijk?

—Sure.

—Heeft u een favoriete mop? Vertel ...

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

—Houdt u van honden of van katten?

—Dogs, though I like both.

—Wie of wat haat u?

—No way. I respect everyone.

—Het beste in het leven is:

—People, nature, and shared human experiences.

—Het vervelendste in het leven is:

—Hate and divisiveness.

—Is er iets rondom u dat u graag zou veranderen?

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

—Wat zou u graag veranderen aan uzelf?

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

—Wat zou u graag veranderen aan de wereld?

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

—Kan u tips geven voor beginnende fotografen?

—Keep improving yourself.

—Als buitenaardse wezens naar de Aarde komen en u bent de eerste persoon die ze ontmoeten, wat zal u hen dan zeggen?

—Have a beer!

—U wordt gevraagd om een film te maken, welk genre wordt het?

—Drama

—Morgen zal ik ... doen

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