Fotograf Ken Pak

—Är du fotogenisk?

—I never thought I was photogenic and never wanted to be photographed, however, I look pretty cute in the photos from my early childhood.

—Hur började du inom fotografi?

—It was a pretty natural transition for me becoming a wedding photographer as many of my friends were getting married when I started taking photos. Because of this, I never attended my friends' weddings as a groomsman or guest. Rather, I always photographed their weddings.

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

—Although most of photographers would talk about light, composition, creative approach, subject, emotional impact & etc. as vital components of a good photo, I think preparation for the day and understanding of the flow , environment and subject would help yielding a good photo. Although there are moments I take photos with anticipation, however, I love when I get good photos without anticipation.

—Älskar du att resa?

—Yes, I love traveling for the photo projects including weddings, fun activities, personal inspiration by the life of the other side of the world, and to see the family (I am from South Korea).

—Vad gillar du mest med ditt yrke?

—Photography career can be highly rewarding. I feel truly blessed when I receive compliments and appreciation from the happy clients and people.

—Vad gillar du minst med ditt yrke?

—Dealing with difficult personalities and awkward characters can be most challenging to me. However, I would rather stay positive and supportive to those nature.

—Hur kommer framtiden för fotografering att se ut?

—For the next 5 years, another convergence of the medium will be coming like stills will be culled from 8k video footage. After another 5 years, I am pretty sure that there will always be needs for wedding photography regardless of the medium convergence.

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

—In technical term, I believe wedding photography can be practised as the collaborative work of wide range of photography types and styles. In human life, it is one of the greatest lifetime celebrations among families and friends, and I am so glad that I can capture many different levels of emotional impacts.

—Hur hanterar du kritik?

—I would rather be modest and listen to the criticism if it is the matter of your growth and development process in your photography career and human relations. If you stay honest, humble and positive, there will be lesser criticism.

—Finns det några trender inom fotografering?

—Yes, there are trends in wedding photography just like fashion industry, however, I also see there is a range of diversity in wedding photography trends depending on traditions, lifestyle, regions & etc.

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

—As a person photographing someone's lifetime event, trustworthy, fun and flexible nature in my personality come highly valuable and appreciative among my clients and people in the industry.

—Vad är absolut inte tillåtet under fotograferingen?

—Unprofessional, snobbish & egoistic manner in professional & personal aspects.

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

—Artistic & creative approach. Also, freezing the moment, framing & composition.

—Vad påverkar fotots värde? Vilka är dess element?

—Cherishing the memorable moments and people from generation to generation (or among generations). Also, capturing and archiving the history of person's life.

—Vilken person tycker du symboliserar 2000-talet?

—Big brothers in media.

—Vem vill du fotografera?

—I would like to continue photographing weddings, however, it will be interesting to photograph traditionally unique weddings in remote area not affected by the western culture.

—Har du några professionella tabun?

—I would not want to spoil those wedding photographer wannabes. It takes so much of professional practice, thinking, attitude, training, study and experience. Don't believe in yourself as a professional shooter by just buying a good camera and shooting a few of your friends weddings.

—Vem skulle du vilja fotografera med?

—If I get a chance, I would love to shoot with those pulitzer winners who have not shot the weddings before. Also, shooting a wedding by side of any big names in the industry will be my great honor.

—Vad oroar du dig över och varför?

—Bridezilla and Groomzilla. Depending on the situations, people with difficult & demanding personalities to accommodate can be a real challenge. Also, theft and robbery (although I have not experienced before) during the sessions in uncontrolled areas. Being sick can be another big worrisome.

—Vilket är det mest imponerande ögonblicket i ditt liv?

—Three of my most tearful moments showing my love to my parents. I cried so much at the airport when I saw my dad leaving the state after seeing my college graduation (He supported me for 7 years in US for my high school and college, and returned to Korea permanently). I cried so much when I hugged my parents during my wedding ceremony. I cried so much when my dad was being cremated after the funeral ceremony.

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

—I would love to be Iron man, just to simply get the aerial shots. Also, seeing myself in the Iron man armor which is retrofitted with multiple super cameras will be amazing!

—Vem är din inspirationskälla i livet och varför?

—Jesus Christ who keeps me being a better person.

—Hur definierar du framgång? Hur mäter du framgång?

—In human perspective, if I have six good men who can carry my coffin at my own funeral, I consider that as a successful life. In business perspective, if I have no haters and no debt, that will be a successful life.

—Föredrar du att vara omtyckt eller respekterad?

—I would rather be liked.

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

—Encountering a media failure by using cheap media card.

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

—I will take my free & open spirit with me to enjoy the true traveling experience. If it is allowed, then I would love to travel with my wife and son. Of course, a small travel camera will definitely be accompanied with me.

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

—Lytro Illum camera. I never use it. Is there anyone who is interested in this camera? ;)

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

—I try to read/watch/visit photography related or partially related magazines, books, movies, videos (I love watching K pop music videos to learn techniques), art galleries/museums & etc. From these experiences, I love incorporating my new ideas and creative thinking in the actual shoots by hopefully getting faster spontaneous responsiveness to the moments. Also, I go to conferences and seminars, and get connected with a wide range of cool photographers from different parts of the world. Also, I shoot together with a few of my local photographers time to time for cross-inspiring and training purposes at the real weddings.

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

—Hmmm... I would say photographers in WPJA Winners Collections, Fearless Photographers Award Collections and ISPWP Award Collections have influenced me the most. I am sorry to tell you that I love all the winners, not the single one, as I admire their work so much! Also, I give a full respect to those photographers who push themselves to the infinity over creative limits.

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

—I really wish I knew a real good mentor when I started taking photos. I have had neither a mentor nor had worked for a studio during my photography career. Also, I did not have any good friend photographers until I met most of them during the past 1.5 years.

—Vad försöker du säga med dina fotografier?

—They are fun, animated, compassionate, witty, unique, hardworking, modern, artistic, imaginative, quirky, and yet most importantly, story telling with my true spirit.

—Vad motiverar dig att fortsätta att ta bilder?

—My family the most. Also, undiscovered world of photography intrigues me to challenge myself in the upcoming future. Accolades can be bonus.

—Borde dina föräldrar ha varit mer eller mindre strikta?

—Less strict. Matter of fact, my mom bought me my first point-n-shoot camera when I was the fifth grade. They are always supportive and respectful to my decision, but I had to be very responsible to my decision.

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

—I would go to a renowned college of art to inspire myself with in-depth fine art. I studied Environmental Science instead. Also, I would continue playing badminton, so I could have competed in Olympics (one of my teammates from the same school team won a gold medal in Atlanta Olympic games).

—Tror du att det finns liv på andra planeter?

—I am going to ask God about it.

—Vilka är dina hjältar?

—Whoever influences me to become a better person.

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

—People who commit sins without repent afterwards.

—Vad gör du på fritiden?

—Planning something ahead that would or would not happen, but it is always fun to do it. I do normal things that the normal people would do during the spare time.

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

—When I am doing post production work at home, I am normally in underwears as it happens to be very comfortable and free to myself.

—När är du fullständigt tillfredsställd med ditt arbete?

—When I hear back from my clients with lots of compliments and appreciation after they get the final release. Also, accolades are bonus to my satisfaction, but I consider myself always being in learning curve.

—Tror du på de traditionella mans- och kvinnorollerna?

—Yes, I am in terms of marriage and family, however, roles are always subject to change based on the modern lifestyle. As long as we love each other, traditional roles are not biggie in our lives.

—Är det enkelt för dig att skaffa vänner?

—Yes, however, it can take significant amount of time to become their best friends. I would rather be their best friends than making them my best friends.

—Var skulle du vilja bo?

—I would like to live in one Korea upon unification of North & South Korea. Other than US and Korea, I would also consider living any parts around the world needing any of my contribution.

—Vad är det dummaste som du någonsin har tackat ja till?

—Sharing a studio space with a wedding dress/floral shop. I would never do a business with anyone in the same space.

—Finns det ett liv efter äktenskapet?

—Sure thing! Your lifetime companion and kids are enough to make a dramatic change in your life after marriage.

—Har du ett favoritskämt? Berätta det för oss.

—My wife and my son give me all kinds of silly talk, and I always return with a joke. Too many to list.

—Gillar du hundar eller katter?

—We used to have a jack russell terrier and a mix dog for over 12 years. They both passed aways a few years ago, but they always stay remained in our hearts. We are planning to have one soon.

—Vem eller vad hatar du?

—Business partners with betrayal, lies and unacceptable manner. I can't tolerate those people, and can't deal with them anymore as it happens to be the worst time in my life.

—Det bästa med livet är:

—When my son was born.

—Det mest irriterande med livet är:

—Dealing with business partners and friends who betrayed me.

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

—I would like to redesign my website, restart blogging, and keep up everything in timely manner.

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

—I need to put something on when I am working at home.
Seriously, I need to reshape my body.

—Vad vill du ändra på i världen?

—Get rid of terrorists and dictators, and provide aids to those who are in desperate life situation.

—Kan du ge några råd till nya fotografer?

—Learn, practise and gain lots of experience to become a true artist, not a person with a good show-off camera. Most importantly, try to understand what this day means to the wedded couple and people at the wedding, and your role there.

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

—"Do you need a photographer to document your landing and presence? The session will be free, however, you need to sign a media release form." LOL

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

—I would like to photograph an epic love story, war and drama.

—Imorgon kommer jag att...

—Tomorrow, I will go to a wedding and photograph the most amazing day of someone's life.