Fotograf Wendell Fernandes

—Fotogenični ste?

—I'm not sure – my wife says so :)

—Kako ste ušli u svet fotografije?

—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.

—Šta smatrate da su ključni elementi dobre fotografije?

—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.

—Volite putovanja?

—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.

—Šta najviše volite u vezi sa svojim zanimanjem?

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

—Šta najmanje volite u vezi sa svojim zanimanjem?

—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.

—Kakva će biti budućnost fotografije?

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

—Šta je posebno kod vrste fotografije koja je vaša specijalnost?

—Generations joining together in one loving event.

—Kako podnosite 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.

—Da li u fotografiji postoje trendovi?

—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.

—Šta treba da budu kriterijumi kada klijent bira 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.

—Šta treba izbegavati kod snimanja?

—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.

—Koje najčešće neprimetne detalje primećuje fotograf?

—How light affects moments.

—Šta utiče na vrednost fotografije? Šta su njeni elementi?

—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.

—Za koju ličnost smatrate da bi mogla da bude simbol 21. veka?

—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.

—Koga biste želeli da fotografišete?

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

—Da li za vas u poslu postoji nešto zabranjeno?

—Not really.

—Sa kim biste želeli da sarađujete?

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

—Šta vas brine i zašto?

—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.

—Koji trenutak u vašem životu je bio najupečatljiviji?

—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.

—Koji lik iz crtaća, knjige ili filma biste bili i zašto?

—I never thought of that :)

—Ko vam je životna inspiracija i zašto?

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

—Šta za vas znači uspeh? Kako ga merite?

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

—Da li biste pre bili voljeni ili poštovani?

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

—Šta je najveća greška koju ste do sada napravili u poslu?

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

—Šta nosite sa sobom na putovanja i zašto?

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

—Da li ima nešto među vašim alatkama čiju kupovinu ste zažalili? Zašto?

—Not yet.

—Kako se edukujete da biste bolje fotografisali?

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

—Čiji rad je najviše uticao na vas kao fotografa?

—Joe Buissink's work probably.

—Šta biste voleli da ste znali kad ste tek postali fotograf?

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

—Šta želite da poručite svojim fotografijama?

—Register the reality of people and their personalities.

—Šta vas motiviše da se i dalje bavite fotografijom?

—The stories of people I meet.

—Da li mislite da su vaši roditelji bili premalo ili previše strogi?

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

—Da možete da se vratite u prošlost, šta biste uradili drugačije?

—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.

—Šta mislite o životu na drugim planetama?

—Only God knows!

—Ko su vaši heroji?

—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.

—Prema kome nemate nimalo poštovanja?

—The corrupt system of this world.

—Kako provodite slobodno vreme?

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

—Koji deo sebe nikada ne pokazujete javno?

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

—Kad ste potpuno zadovoljni svojim radom?

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

—Da li verujete u tradicionalne uloge muškaraca i žena?

—Yes.

—Da li lako sklapate prijateljstva?

—I do.

—Gde biste voleli da živite?

—Anywhere I can help and be more active socially.

—Šta je najgluplja stvar u životu koju ste pristali da uradite?

—Open businesses with others without contracts.

—Da li postoji život posle braka?

—Yes and an abundant one.

—Imate omiljeni vic? Prepričajte nam ga.

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

—Da li volite pse ili mačke?

—Dogs.

—Da li postoji neko ili nešto što mrzite?

—Nothing really.

—Najbolja stvar u životu je:

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

—Najiritantnija stvar u životu je:

—A long mass in a wedding day.

—Da li ima nešto u vašem okruženju što biste promenili?

—Not really.

—Šta biste promenili kod sebe?

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

—Šta biste promenili u svetu?

—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.

—Da li imate neki savet za fotografe koji tek počinju?

—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.

—Kad bi vanzemaljci došli na Zemlju i prvo sreli vas, šta biste im rekli?

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

—Kad bi vas zvali da snimite film, koji biste žanr izabrali?

—Drama.

—Od sutra ću da…

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