Fotograaf Joanna Pantigoso

—Bent u fotogeniek?

—I believe that being photogenic is the job of the photographer and happiness is the most powerful tool that we have to work with. If we are happy a photographer can translate that into the pictures. I believe that everyone can be photogenic with the right photographer.

—Hoe bent u beland in de fotografie-industrie?

—I always wanted to be photographer. While in school I was passionate about filming industry and how images were created. Unfortunately, I couldn't study photography until I finished my Master's Degree in Finance (I studied Economic Engineering at university) and it was because I was travelling a lot and made a calendar for myself. A friend of my mother who lives in Canada saw it and bought 23 for her friends as souvenirs an, well... I enrolled to a photography course (1 year) to improve skills and that's the moment when I bought my first camera (big camera as I called it at that time). During the first month of the caree, my instructor saw my pictures – mostly still life and landscapes – and forced me to photograph people. After the first exercise the told me I should do portraits as my pictures show emotions and people can feel through the image... It's been 7 years since then. Wedding photography was also something I came across with 5 years ago and felt in love with.

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

—First emotion, I need to feel what people in the image are feeling. Second light, because light can make the emotion grow exponentially. There's no good image without emotion and good light.

—Houdt u van reizen?

—I love travelling and I spend at least 3 months every year travelling. I am not the normal tourist, I prefer to spend regular time in every place I go, meet local people, try to live for a while in one place trying to capture as much as I can of the culture and uses of the place.

—Wat vindt u het leukst aan uw beroep?

—Being a photographer allows me to meet different people and cultures. Also allows me to travel and be always studying trying to be better each day. In photography you will never stop studying and practicing. The best thing about being a wedding photographer is I can be closer to the bride&groom, be witness of their love and make it last forever in images. I believe wedding photography in the first family heritage a couple gives to their children.

—Wat vindt u het minst leuk aan uw beroep?

—It's hard to choose something I dislike about being a wedding photographer. Sometimes carry heavy stuff, but assistants are also for that, right?

—Wat ziet u de toekomst van fotografie?

—We are getting back to printing and also turning into video (slideshows & photo&video fusion). Turnaround times are getting shorter (mine is between 2-4 weeks now) with electronic delivery and I meet most of my couples through Skype. This says a lot of what's coming. Wedding photography makes the magic of having the perfect person for you wherever you are and wherever the photographer is. It makes pictures be delivered on time, no matter the distance or time differences.

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

—It captures the moment of joy, love and excitement and make it last forever. As one wedding client told be: "Every time I see my pictures, those butterflies in my stomach came back, as I was again on my wedding day".

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

—Know the photographer and make the photographer know you. A wedding day is full of personal stuff, if you can't trust your photographer a lot of beautiful moments can be lost. choose someone you can trust and have the same view of your wedding as you

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

—Every thing is allowed. Just have fun!!! :)

—Met wie zou u graag fotograferen?

—Daniel Aguilar, I have always admire his work, took his workshop and followed his career. Because of a conference he did in Argentina in 2012 I am in wedding photography and I hope this comes true some day :) (hope he reads this hehe)

—Wat is het meest indrukwekkende moment van uw leven?

—When I first appeared in the list of Top 10 wedding photographers in Lima, Peru (my city), that's the moment when I realised I was in the right direction.

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

—Merida from Brave movie. Not only because of my red curly hair, but also because I'm like her also in character

—Wat neemt u mee op reis en waarom?

—camera, batteries and SD cards
phone and laptop
comfortable shoes... 2 pairs (yes I know... maybe 3 pairs sometimes)
1 work outfit – just in case – an event appear during my stay wherever I go. It happened before... it will happen again
a nice necklace... and tons of excitement. I try not to plan too much and also not to take so many clothes with me, I prefer to arrive and shop :)

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

—Yes, but I guess it's because of lack of experience. At the beginning of my career I heard that it's nice to have and external light with batteries and bought one too heavy that only used once with an assistant to help me. Now I replace that for something easier to carry with me.

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

—I am constantly learning, not only in my country, but travelling abroad too. Online education has made a huge difference too and also I do personal projects or non wedding related projects (at least 2 a year) to encourage me to not be a wedding photographer, but a documentary photographer focused on happiness.

—Houdt u van honden of van katten?

—Cats

—Het beste in het leven is:

—Being happy

—Kan u tips geven voor beginnende fotografen?

—Be a second shooter first, learn and listen from a photographer with experience. Go to workshops and have time to process them and practice what you've learned. If you can, go to workshops abroad this will help you to have a different way to see reality.