Fotograf Erik Kruthoff

—Først og fremst, hvem vil du si er den beste fotografen i Dorado, Puerto 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 ;)

—Er du fotogen?

—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 :)

—Hvordan ble du en del av fotografbransjen?

—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.

—Hva er de viktigste komponentene i et bra bilde etter din mening?

—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.

—Er du glad i å reise?

—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.

—Hva liker du best med yrket ditt?

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

—Hva liker du minst med yrket ditt?

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

—Hvordan ser fremtiden ut for fotografering?

—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.

—Hva er det spesielle med den fotografisjanger du har spesialisert deg i?

—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.

—Hvordan takler du kritikk?

—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.

—Finnes det noen trender innen fotografering?

—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.

—Hva bør kriteriene være for en kunde som skal velge en fotograf?

—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.

—Hvilke ting er absolutt ikke tillatt under fotograferingen?

—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.

—Hvilke detaljer, som vanligvis ingen ville lagt merke til, kan en fotograf fange opp?

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

—Hva påvirker bildets verdi? Hvilke elementer inneholder det?

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

—Hvilken person kan være symbolet på det 21. århundre etter din mening?

—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.

—Hvem kunne du tenkt deg å fotografere?

—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.

—Har du noen yrkesmessige tabuer?

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

—Hvem kunne du tenkt deg å fotografere sammen med?

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

—Hva bekymrer deg, og hvorfor?

—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.

—Hva er det mest imponerende øyeblikket i livet ditt?

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

—Hvilken animert figur, literær person eller filmkarakter ville du vært, og hvorfor?

—Don Quixote

—Hvem inspirerer deg i ditt liv, og hvorfor?

—My two kids, easily.

—Hvordan definerer du suksess? Hvordan måler du graden av suksess?

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

—Foretrekker du å bli likt eller respektert?

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

—Hva er den største tabben du noensinne har gjort på jobben?

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

—Når du skal ut å reise; hva tar du med deg, og hvorfor?

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

—Er de noe blant dine gadgets du angrer på å ha kjøpt? Hvorfor?

—none.

—Hvordan utdanner du deg for stadig å ta bedre bilder?

—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.

—Hvem sitt arbeid har inspirert deg mest som fotograf?

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

—Hva spesifikt skulle du ønske at du visste da du begynte å fotografere?

—Painting, Art History.

—Hva ønsker du å formidle gjennom dine bilder?

—A sense of shared humanity and an emotional connection.

—Hva motiverer deg til å fortsette med fotografering?

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

—Skulle foreldrene dine ha vært mer eller mindre strenge?

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

—Hva ville du ha gjort annerledes hvis du kunne reise tilbake i tid?

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

—Hva tenker du angående liv på andre planeter?

—of course.

—Hvem er dine helter?

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

—Hvem har du absolutt ingen respekt for?

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

—Hva gjør du i fritiden din?

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

—Hvilken side av deg viser du aldri offentlig?

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

—Når er du helt fornøyd med arbeidet ditt?

—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.

—Tror du på tradisjonelle manne- og kvinneroller?

—no

—Har du lett for å få nye venner?

—yes

—Hvor kunne du tenke deg å bo?

—On an island in warm weather

—Finnes det et liv etter bryllupet?

—Sure.

—Har du en favorittspøk? Fortell.

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

—Liker du hunder eller katter?

—Dogs, though I like both.

—Hvem eller hva hater du?

—No way. I respect everyone.

—Det beste i livet er:

—People, nature, and shared human experiences.

—Det mest irriterende i livet er:

—Hate and divisiveness.

—Er det noe omkring du kunne tenkt deg å forandre på?

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

—Hva hos deg selv kunne du tenkt deg å endre på?

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

—Hva i verden kunne du tenkt deg å endre på?

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

—Kan du komme med noen gode råd til fotografer i startfasen?

—Keep improving yourself.

—Forestill deg at romvesener ankommer jorda, og at du er den første de treffer. Hva ville du sagt til dem?

—Have a beer!

—Hvis du ble spurt om å spille inn en film, hvilken sjanger ville den være?

—Drama

—I morgen skal jeg...

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