Fotograf Erik Kruthoff

—Pre svega, koga biste naveli kao najboljeg fotografa u svom gradu? :)

—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 ;)

—Fotogenični ste?

—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 :)

—Kako ste ušli u svet fotografije?

—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.

—Šta smatrate da su ključni elementi dobre fotografije?

—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.

—Volite putovanja?

—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.

—Šta najviše volite u vezi sa svojim zanimanjem?

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

—Šta najmanje volite u vezi sa svojim zanimanjem?

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

—Kakva će biti budućnost fotografije?

—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.

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

—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.

—Kako podnosite kritiku?

—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.

—Da li u fotografiji postoje trendovi?

—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.

—Šta treba da budu kriterijumi kada klijent bira 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.

—Šta treba izbegavati kod snimanja?

—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.

—Koje najčešće neprimetne detalje primećuje 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.

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

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

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

—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.

—Koga biste želeli da fotografišete?

—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.

—Da li za vas u poslu postoji nešto zabranjeno?

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

—Sa kim biste želeli da sarađujete?

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

—Šta vas brine i zašto?

—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.

—Koji trenutak u vašem životu je bio najupečatljiviji?

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

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

—Don Quixote

—Ko vam je životna inspiracija i zašto?

—My two kids, easily.

—Šta za vas znači uspeh? Kako ga merite?

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

—Da li biste pre bili voljeni ili poštovani?

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

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

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

—Šta nosite sa sobom na putovanja i zašto?

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

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

—none.

—Kako se edukujete da biste bolje fotografisali?

—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.

—Čiji rad je najviše uticao na vas kao fotografa?

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

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

—Painting, Art History.

—Šta želite da poručite svojim fotografijama?

—A sense of shared humanity and an emotional connection.

—Šta vas motiviše da se i dalje bavite fotografijom?

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

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

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

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

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

—Šta mislite o životu na drugim planetama?

—of course.

—Ko su vaši heroji?

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

—Prema kome nemate nimalo poštovanja?

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

—Kako provodite slobodno vreme?

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

—Koji deo sebe nikada ne pokazujete javno?

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

—Kad ste potpuno zadovoljni svojim radom?

—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.

—Da li verujete u tradicionalne uloge muškaraca i žena?

—no

—Da li lako sklapate prijateljstva?

—yes

—Gde biste voleli da živite?

—On an island in warm weather

—Da li postoji život posle braka?

—Sure.

—Imate omiljeni vic? Prepričajte nam ga.

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

—Da li volite pse ili mačke?

—Dogs, though I like both.

—Da li postoji neko ili nešto što mrzite?

—No way. I respect everyone.

—Najbolja stvar u životu je:

—People, nature, and shared human experiences.

—Najiritantnija stvar u životu je:

—Hate and divisiveness.

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

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

—Šta biste promenili kod sebe?

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

—Šta biste promenili u svetu?

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

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

—Keep improving yourself.

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

—Have a beer!

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

—Drama

—Od sutra ću da…

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