Fotograaf Ken Pak

—Bent u fotogeniek?

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

—Hoe bent u beland in de fotografie-industrie?

—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.

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

—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.

—Houdt u van reizen?

—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).

—Wat vindt u het leukst aan uw beroep?

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

—Wat vindt u het minst leuk aan uw beroep?

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

—Wat ziet u de toekomst van fotografie?

—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.

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

—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.

—Hoe gaat u om met kritiek?

—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.

—Zijn er bepaalde trends in fotografie?

—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.

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

—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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

—Big brothers in media.

—Wie wil u graag fotograferen?

—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.

—Heeft u bepaalde taboes op professioneel vlak?

—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.

—Met wie zou u graag fotograferen?

—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.

—Waar maakt u zich zorgen over en waarom?

—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.

—Wat is het meest indrukwekkende moment van uw leven?

—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.

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

—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!

—Wie inspireert u in uw leven en waarom?

—Jesus Christ who keeps me being a better person.

—Hoe definieert u succes? Hoe meet u het?

—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.

—Bent u liever graag gezien of gerespecteerd?

—I would rather be liked.

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

—Encountering a media failure by using cheap media card.

—Wat neemt u mee op reis en waarom?

—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.

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

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

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

—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.

—Wiens werk heeft u het meest beïnvloed als fotograaf?

—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.

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

—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.

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

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

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

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

—Hadden uw ouders strenger of minder streng moeten zijn?

—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.

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

—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).

—Wat denkt u over leven op andere planeten?

—I am going to ask God about it.

—Wie zijn uw helden?

—Whoever influences me to become a better person.

—Voor wie kan u geen respect opbrengen?

—People who commit sins without repent afterwards.

—Wat doet u in uw vrije tijd?

—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.

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

—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.

—Wanneer bent u helemaal tevreden over uw werk?

—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.

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

—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.

—Maakt u gemakkelijk vrienden?

—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.

—Waar zou u graag wonen?

—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.

—Wat is het domste waarmee u ooit akkoord bent gegaan?

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

—Is er een leven na het huwelijk?

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

—Heeft u een favoriete mop? Vertel ...

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

—Houdt u van honden of van katten?

—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.

—Wie of wat haat u?

—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.

—Het beste in het leven is:

—When my son was born.

—Het vervelendste in het leven is:

—Dealing with business partners and friends who betrayed me.

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

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

—Wat zou u graag veranderen aan uzelf?

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

—Wat zou u graag veranderen aan de wereld?

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

—Kan u tips geven voor beginnende fotografen?

—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.

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

—"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

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

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

—Morgen zal ik ... doen

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