Fotograf Erik Kruthoff

—Först och främst - vem kan du nämna som den bästa fotografen i Dorado, Puerto Rico? :)

—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 ;)

—Är du fotogenisk?

—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 :)

—Hur började du inom fotografi?

—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.

—Vilka är enligt dig de viktigaste komponenterna för ett bra fotografi?

—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.

—Älskar du att resa?

—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.

—Vad gillar du mest med ditt yrke?

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

—Vad gillar du minst med ditt yrke?

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

—Hur kommer framtiden för fotografering att se ut?

—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.

—Vad är det speciella med den fotografigenre du specialiserar i?

—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.

—Hur hanterar du kritik?

—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.

—Finns det några trender inom fotografering?

—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.

—Vad bör kriterierna vara för en kund som ska välja en fotograf?

—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.

—Vad är absolut inte tillåtet under fotograferingen?

—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.

—Vilka detaljer kan en fotograf fånga som vanligtvis går obemärkta?

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

—Vad påverkar fotots värde? Vilka är dess element?

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

—Vilken person tycker du symboliserar 2000-talet?

—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.

—Vem vill du fotografera?

—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.

—Har du några professionella tabun?

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

—Vem skulle du vilja fotografera med?

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

—Vad oroar du dig över och varför?

—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.

—Vilket är det mest imponerande ögonblicket i ditt liv?

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

—Om du vore en animerad, litterär eller filmkaraktär, vem skulle du vara och varför?

—Don Quixote

—Vem är din inspirationskälla i livet och varför?

—My two kids, easily.

—Hur definierar du framgång? Hur mäter du framgång?

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

—Föredrar du att vara omtyckt eller respekterad?

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

—Vilket är det största misstaget som du har gjort på jobbet?

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

—Vad tar du med dig och varför när du är ute och reser?

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

—Äger du en gadget som du önskar att du inte hade köpt? Varför?

—none.

—Hur utbildar du dig själv för att bli en bättre fotograf?

—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.

—Vems arbete har haft störst inflytande över dig som fotograf?

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

—Finns det någonting specifikt som du önskar att du visste när du började fotografera?

—Painting, Art History.

—Vad försöker du säga med dina fotografier?

—A sense of shared humanity and an emotional connection.

—Vad motiverar dig att fortsätta att ta bilder?

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

—Borde dina föräldrar ha varit mer eller mindre strikta?

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

—Om du kunde resa tillbaka i tiden, vad skulle du göra annorlunda?

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

—Tror du att det finns liv på andra planeter?

—of course.

—Vilka är dina hjältar?

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

—Finns det någon person som du inte har någon respekt för?

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

—Vad gör du på fritiden?

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

—Har du någon sida som du aldrig visar upp offentligt?

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

—När är du fullständigt tillfredsställd med ditt arbete?

—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.

—Tror du på de traditionella mans- och kvinnorollerna?

—no

—Är det enkelt för dig att skaffa vänner?

—yes

—Var skulle du vilja bo?

—On an island in warm weather

—Finns det ett liv efter äktenskapet?

—Sure.

—Har du ett favoritskämt? Berätta det för oss.

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

—Gillar du hundar eller katter?

—Dogs, though I like both.

—Vem eller vad hatar du?

—No way. I respect everyone.

—Det bästa med livet är:

—People, nature, and shared human experiences.

—Det mest irriterande med livet är:

—Hate and divisiveness.

—Finns det någonting runt omkring dig som du skulle vilja ändra på?

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

—Finns det någonting om dig själv som du skulle vilja ändra?

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

—Vad vill du ändra på i världen?

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

—Kan du ge några råd till nya fotografer?

—Keep improving yourself.

—Om utomjordingar skulle komma till jorden, och du är den första personen som de träffar, vad skulle du säga till dem?

—Have a beer!

—Om du skulle bli tillfrågad att spela in en film, vilken genre skulle det vara?

—Drama

—Imorgon kommer jag att...

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