Фотограф Wendell Fernandes

—Вы фотогеничны?

—I'm not sure – my wife says so :)

—Как вы попали в индустрию фотографии?

—Long ago, a close friend of mine was getting married and had no one to capture their day. I had a simple Rebel Canon XTi and I volunteered, I look back and from that point forward I fell in love with the stories of people and their lives more than the actual photographic work – It fascinates me how people meet and how they connect and grow into a lifetime together.

—Как вы считаете, каковы самые важные составляющие хорошей фотографии?

—This is a tough question. There are so many things that can add up to a great photograph but I believe it all begins with a spectacular experience and interaction between the person registering those moments and the subject. Personally, I think this is the doorway to success and once this happens everything else will follow. People open up to you, they trust you, they trust your vision and creativity. A good photograph evokes reality, however blunt, drastic, romantic, rough it may be. Lighting, camera settings, location, ethnicity, culture, none of these things are as important as the actual naked reality unfolding before you.

—Любите путешествовать?

—Yes I do. Originally from Brasil and now living in USA for 15 years, every chance I get, I do travel to know whats out there. I have been to various countries because of these stories and I believe being open to it, changes our mindset.

—Что в вашей профессии вам нравится больше всего?

—The fact that I can register moments that will live with them for the rest of their lives, this is impacting.

—Что в вашей профессии вам нравится меньше всего?

—Every profession has its stressful moments, but it comes with the territory, so I don't believe there is anything I can point out that is relevant.

—Каким вы видите будущее фотографии?

—There is already a demand for true storytellers, and I believe this will continue to grow.

—Что делает жанр фотографии, в котором вы снимаете, особенным?

—Generations joining together in one loving event.

—Как вы относитесь к критике?

—Just like anything else, we can never grow if we don't listen and learn. From the "top" photographer to anyone beginning this journey now, we all began looking, learning from others. The secret is to be open, the next chapter will always teach us something else we need.

—Есть ли в фотографии своя мода?

—Nowadays everything seems to be done from a recipe book which takes away from the stories that need to be told coherently. Pinterest and many other sites cooperate to this trend, but I believe it is in our hands to change this. The other trend is that every photographer is now a "Photojournalism" style photographer but their work shows no sign of it.

—По каким критериям клиенты должны выбирать своего фотографа?

—They should look for "Storytellers" – Not because they mention this "photojournalism style" in their website, but because they are more humans than professionals. They care more about the couple's stories than their own photo artwork. Couples should "meet" face to face and look for signs that will give them the comfort they are talking to a person and not a business.

—Чего нельзя допускать при съемке?

—Pre-conceived notions and shots. I believe every location has a great amount of potential to look different even though you've been there many times before. "What fits the story of this couple, even though I've been here before?". This type of thinking will transform the way we shoot.

—Что обычные люди упускают из виду, в то время как фотограф может увидеть?

—How light affects moments.

—Что влияет на ценность фотографии? Из чего она складывается?

—Use of light, quantity of light is better than the quality of light. Also, lighting is probably a key element for moments to take place.

—Кого бы вы назвали символом XXI века?

—The one who is unseen, the one who is invisible, the one not seeking fame. Since we learn from each other, the stories should be what drives us all.

—Кого бы вы хотели поснимать?

—An African couple that has absolutely no glamour, but an amazing story.

—Есть ли у вас какие-то табу в работе?

—Not really.

—С кем вы хотели бы поснимать?

—Anyone with a greater experience. Perhaps Cliff Mautner or Joe Buissink, would be a great learning experience.

—О чем вы беспокоитесь в первую очередь и почему?

—Missing a moment. Inside an environment that you could never go back in time, my fear is to miss a moment that is important to the couple.

—Расскажите о самом сильном впечатлении в своей жизни.

—Believe it or not, I think it was a day, when I was being taught to love my neighbor as myself, as it's mentioned in the Bible. I spent sometime with a very close friend, a second father to be, and I could not believe how much I needed to learn this and how this has shaped my life.

—Каким персонажем из мультфильма, книги или кино вы были бы и почему?

—I never thought of that :)

—Кто вдохновляет вас и почему?

—Jesus the man, my father and all my mentors in life.

—Как вы определяете успех? Можно ли его измерить?

—Complete peace and satisfaction even though I'm in the midst of a crises.

—Что для вас важнее: любовь окружающих или уважение?

—Liked. I believe respect comes after. We need to approach and be approachable first.

—Расскажите о своей самой большой ошибке в работе.

—I can't recall one now, but I hope I don't have anything later either :P

—Что вы берете с собой в путешествие и почему?

—My Canon 5D III and a Sigma 35mm and 85mm. These are my go to lenses for getting a great shot.

—Есть ли среди вашей техники что-то, чего покупать не следовало бы? Почему вы так считаете?

—Not yet.

—Расскажите о своем самообучении: что вы делаете, чтобы стать лучше как фотограф?

—Magazines, mostly fashion and arts, and always looking to see greater experience photographers and what they are doing and why they are doing it.

—Чья работа больше всего повлияла на ваше становление как фотографа?

—Joe Buissink's work probably.

—Как вы считаете, что вам следовало бы знать в первую очередь, когда вы начинали фотографировать?

—"What do I do if I turn this dial to M" :P

—Что вы хотите донести до людей с помощью фотографии?

—Register the reality of people and their personalities.

—Что побуждает вас продолжать заниматься фотографией?

—The stories of people I meet.

—Следовало ли вашим родителям быть более (менее) строгими?

—I think I received the best parenthood one could ever desire.

—Если бы можно было вернуться в прошлое, что бы вы сделали иначе?

—Nothing. Where I am today is a result of the choices I made, I can only change the outcome by the decisions I make moving forward.

—Есть ли жизнь на других планетах?

—Only God knows!

—Кто для вас — пример для подражания?

—Jesus for giving me life and enabling me to be a father and a husband and a better man than I would ever be without His love and mercy.

—Кого вы считаете недостойным уважения?

—The corrupt system of this world.

—Чем вы занимаетесь в свободное время?

—Family time. I love spending time with my children and my wife.

—Какая часть вашей личности скрыта от окружающих?

—Hmmm. I don't think I have anything that I don't mention. I'm a pretty open person.

—В каких случаях вы бываете полностью довольны своей работой?

—When I can see a moment, register it in a great light.

—Придаете ли вы значение традиционным ролям мужчин и женщин?

—Yes.

—Легко ли вы заводите друзей?

—I do.

—Где вы хотели бы жить?

—Anywhere I can help and be more active socially.

—Расскажите о самой большой глупости, которую вы согласились сделать.

—Open businesses with others without contracts.

—Есть ли жизнь после свадьбы?

—Yes and an abundant one.

—У вас есть любимая шутка? Поделитесь с нами!

—- Knock, Knock!
- Who's there?
- Nobody!
- Nobody who?
- ...

—Вы любите собак? А кошек?

—Dogs.

—Что или кого вы очень не любите?

—Nothing really.

—Самое лучшее в жизни — это:

—Spend time with the ones you love and care most.

—Самое неприятное в жизни — это:

—A long mass in a wedding day.

—Есть ли что-то вокруг вас, что вы хотели бы изменить?

—Not really.

—Что вы хотели бы изменить в себе?

—I would love to be more handy when it comes to fixing up things at home :P

—Что вы хотели бы изменить в мире?

—Gather all the rich and wealthy, and make an unbiased decision to change a country or a nation for the better. Implement better government and end poverty, one location at a time.

—Что бы вы посоветовали начинающим фотографам?

—1) Focus on giving people a better experience than knowing "how to take photos". Being human is more important than being a "business person". Invest in yourself first, your personality and your character, then you can prepare for the business part.2) Study a lot, read, and be inspired by whats "not" photography related.

—Если бы на Землю прилетели инопланетяне и вы оказались первым человеком, которого они встретили, что бы вы сказали им?

—Before you take off – let's take a selfy...?

—Если бы вам пришлось снимать фильм, в каком жанре он был бы?

—Drama.

—Завтра я пойду и сделаю…

—Probably answer emails, prepare for a 2016 Wedding Convention presentation in Brasil and perhaps meet some event planners from recent weddings I've shot!