Fotograf Erik Kruthoff

—Po pierwsze i najważniejsze - kto według Ciebie jest najlepszym fotografem w Twoim mieście? :)

—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 ;)

—Czy jesteś fotogeniczny/fotogeniczna?

—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 :)

—Co sprawiło, że zajmujesz się fotografią?

—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.

—Jakie twoim zdaniem są najważniejsze czynniki decydujące o dobrym zdjęciu?

—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.

—Kochasz podróże?

—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.

—Co najbardziej lubisz w swoim zawodzie?

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

—Co najmniej lubisz w swoim zawodzie?

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

—Jaka będzie przyszłość fotografii?

—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.

—Co wyróżnia rodzaj fotografii, którym się zajmujesz?

—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.

—Jak radzisz sobie z krytyk?

—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.

—Czy w fotografii panują jakieś trendy?

—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.

—Jakie kryteria powinien przyjąć klient przy wyborze fotografa?

—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.

—Co jest absolutnie niedozwolone podczas sesji?

—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.

—Jakie zwykle niezauważane szczegóły może uchwycić fotograf?

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

—Co wpływa na wartość zdjęcia? Jakie są jego składowe?

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

—Jaka osoba może być twoim zdaniem uznana za symbol XXI wieku?

—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.

—Kogo chcesz fotografować?

—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.

—Czy masz zawodowe tabu?

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

—Z kim marzy ci się fotografować?

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

—Co cię martwi i dlaczego?

—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.

—Jaka była najwspanialsza chwila w twoim życiu?

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

—Gdybyś był/była postaci z kreskówki, książki lub filmu, kto by to był?

—Don Quixote

—Kto inspiruje cię w życiu i dlaczego?

—My two kids, easily.

—Jaka jest twoja definicja sukcesu? Co jest jego miarą?

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

—Wolisz, aby cię lubiano czy szanowano?

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

—Jaki był twój największy bąłd zawodowy?

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

—Co zabierasz ze sob w podróż i dlaczego?

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

—Czy masz jakiś gadżet, zakupu którego żałujesz? Dlaczego?

—none.

—Jak uczysz się robić lepsze zdjęcia?

—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.

—Czyje prace miały na ciebie największy wpływ jako na fotografa?

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

—Czy jest coś, o czym warto byłoby wiedzieć, zaczynając karierę w fotografii?

—Painting, Art History.

—Co chcesz przekazać poprzez swoje fotografie?

—A sense of shared humanity and an emotional connection.

—Co motywuje cię do dalszej pracy w fotografii?

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

—Uważasz, że twoi rodzice powinni byli być bardziej czy mniej surowi?

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

—Mając możliwość cofnąć się w czasie, co być zrobił/zrobiła inaczej?

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

—Co myślisz o życiu na innych planetach?

—of course.

—Kto jest twoim bohaterem/bohaterką?

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

—Do kogo nie żywisz szacunku?

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

—Co robisz w czasie wolnym?

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

—Jakiego aspektu twojej osobowości nie ujawniasz publicznie?

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

—Kiedy twoja praca w pełni cię zadowala?

—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.

—Czy wierzysz w tradycyjne role mężczyzny i kobiety?

—no

—Czy łatwo się zaprzyjaźniasz?

—yes

—W jakim miejscu dobrze by ci się mieszkało?

—On an island in warm weather

—Czy istnieje życie po małżeństwie?

—Sure.

—Masz ulubiony żart? Opowiedz go.

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

—Wolisz psy czy koty?

—Dogs, though I like both.

—Kogo lub co nienawidzisz?

—No way. I respect everyone.

—W życiu najlepsze jest:

—People, nature, and shared human experiences.

—W życiu najbardziej irytuje mnie:

—Hate and divisiveness.

—Czy jest wokół ciebie coś, co chcesz zmienić?

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

—Co chcesz zmienić w sobie?

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

—Co chcesz zmienić w świecie?

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

—Czy możesz udzielić kilka wskazówek początkującym fotografom?

—Keep improving yourself.

—Jeżeli na Ziemię przybędą kosmici, a ty będziesz pierwszą osobą, która ich spotka, co im powiesz?

—Have a beer!

—Jeśli poproszono by cię o nakręcenie filmu, jaki byłby to gatunek?

—Drama

—Jutro pójdę i...

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