Fotograf Wendell Fernandes

—Ste fotogenický?

—I'm not sure – my wife says so :)

—Ako ste sa dostali do fotografického priemyslu?

—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.

—Aké sú podľa vás najdôležitejšie súčasti dobrej fotografie?

—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.

—Máte radi cestovanie?

—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.

—Čo máte najradšej na vašej profesii?

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

—Čo sa vám páči najmenej na vašej profesii?

—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.

—Aká bude budúcnosť fotenia?

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

—Čo je výnimočné na žánri fotografií, na ktorý sa špecializujete?

—Generations joining together in one loving event.

—Ako zvládate kritiku?

—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.

—Sú nejaké trendy v oblasti fotografie?

—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.

—Aké by mal mať zákazník kritérium pri výbere fotografa?

—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.

—Čomu sa určite vyhnúť pri práci?

—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.

—Aké detaily, ktoré zvyčajne prejdú bez povšimnutia, si môže fotograf všimnúť?

—How light affects moments.

—Čo ovplyvňuje hodnotu fotografie? Aké sú jej prvky?

—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.

—Ktorá osoba môže byť podľa vás symbolom 21. storočia?

—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.

—Koho chcete fotografovať?

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

—Máte nejaké profesionálne tabu?

—Not really.

—S kým by ste chceli fotografovať?

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

—Čoho sa obávate a prečo?

—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.

—Aký bol váš najpôsobivejší okamih v živote?

—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.

—Ak by ste boli animovaná, literárna alebo filmová postava, kto by ste boli a prečo?

—I never thought of that :)

—Kto vás vo vašom živote inšpiruje a prečo?

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

—Ako definujete úspech? Ako ho meriate?

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

—Boli by ste radšej obľúbení alebo rešpektovaní?

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

—Aká je najväčšia chyba, ktorú ste kedy v práci urobili?

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

—Keď cestujete, čo si so sebou beriete a prečo?

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

—Existuje niečo, čo by ste si boli radšej nekúpili zo zariadení, ktoré vlastníte? Prečo?

—Not yet.

—Ako sa vzdelávate, aby ste robili lepšie fotografie?

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

—Koho práca vás ovplyvnila najviac ako fotografa?

—Joe Buissink's work probably.

—Jedna vec, ktorú by ste chceli vedieť, keď ste začínali s fotením?

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

—Čo by ste chceli povedať cez vaše fotografie?

—Register the reality of people and their personalities.

—Čo vás motivuje v ďalšom fotografovaní?

—The stories of people I meet.

—Mali byť vaši rodičia menej alebo viac prísni?

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

—Ak by ste sa mohli vrátiť v čase, čo by ste urobili inak?

—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.

—Čo tak život na druhých planétach?

—Only God knows!

—Kto sú vaši hrdinovia?

—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.

—Kto nemá u vás žiadny rešpekt?

—The corrupt system of this world.

—Čo robíte vo svojom voľnom čase?

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

—Akú vašu tvár nikdy neukazujte na verejnosti?

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

—Kedy ste úplne spokojní s vašou prácou?

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

—Veríte v tradičné role mužov a žien?

—Yes.

—Získavate ľahko nových priateľov?

—I do.

—Kde by ste radi žili?

—Anywhere I can help and be more active socially.

—Čo je tá najhlúpejšia vec, na ktorú ste kedy pristúpili?

—Open businesses with others without contracts.

—Existuje život po svadbe?

—Yes and an abundant one.

—Máte obľúbený vtip? Povedzte nám ho.

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

—Máte radi psy alebo mačky?

—Dogs.

—Koho alebo čo nenávidíte?

—Nothing really.

—Najlepšia vec v živote je:

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

—Najviac znepokojujúca vec v živote je:

—A long mass in a wedding day.

—Existuje niečo okolo vás, čo by ste chceli zmeniť?

—Not really.

—Čo by ste chceli zmeniť na sebe?

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

—Čo by ste chceli zmeniť vo svete?

—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.

—Môžete dať niekoľko tipov pre fotografov, ktorí práve začínajú?

—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.

—Keby prišli na našu planétu mimozemšťania a vy by ste boli prvou osobou, s ktorou sa stretnú, čo by ste im povedali?

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

—Ak by ste mali natočiť film, aký žáner by to bol?

—Drama.

—Zajtra pôjdem a urobím...

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