Photographer Erik Kruthoff

—Unang una sa lahat - sino ang papangalanan mo na pinakamahusay na photographer sa 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 ;)

—Ikaw ba ay photogenic?

—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 :)

—Paano ka nagsimula sa industriya ng photography?

—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.

—Ano ang mga mahahalagang bahagi ng isang magandang larawan sa iyong opinyon?

—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.

—Mahilig ka ba maglakbay?

—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.

—Ano ang pinakagusto mo sa iyong propesyon?

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

—Ano ang hindi mo gusto sa iyong propesyon?

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

—Ano ang magiging kinabukasan ng photography?

—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.

—Ano ang espesyal sa kategorya ng photography kung saan ka dalubhasa?

—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.

—Paano ka tumatanggap ng pagpuna?

—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.

—Mayroon bang mga trend ang photography?

—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.

—Ano ang dapat na pamantayan ng isang customer sa pagpili ng photographer?

—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.

—Ano ang mga bagay na dapat iwasan kapag kumukuha ng larawan?

—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.

—Ano ang mga detalye na kadalasan ay hindi napapansin na napapansin ng photographer?

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

—Ano ang mga umiimpluwensya sa kahalagahan ng isang larawan? Ano ang mga element nito?

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

—Sinong tao ang sumisimbolo sa ika-21 siglo sa iyong opinyon?

—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.

—Sino ang gusto mong kuhaan?

—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.

—Mayroon ka bang mga propesyonal na ipinagbabawal?

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

—Sino ang gusto mong makasama sa pagkuha ng larawan?

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

—Ano ang ikinababahala mo, at bakit?

—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.

—Ano ang pinakahanga-hangang pagkakataon sa iyong buhay?

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

—Kung ikaw ay isang kartun, libro o karakter sa pelikula, sino ang gugustuhin mong maging at bakit?

—Don Quixote

—Sino ang nagbibigay inspirasyon sa iyong buhay at bakit?

—My two kids, easily.

—Paano mo binibigyang kahulugan ang tagumpay? Paano mo tinitimbang ito?

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

—Mas pipiliin mo bang magustuhan o nirerespeto?

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

—Ano ang pinakamalaking pagkakamali ang nagawa mo sa trabaho?

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

—Kapag ikaw ay naglalakbay, ano ang dinadala mo at bakit?

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

—Mayroon ka bang kahilingan na hindi mo pa nabibili maliban sa mga gadget na mayroon ka? Bakit?

—none.

—Paano mo tinuturuan ang sarili mo na kumuha ng mas magagandang mga larawan?

—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.

—Kaninong mga gawa ang may malaking nagimpluwensiya sa iyo bilang photographer?

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

—Ano ang isang bagay na nais mong malaman noong nagumpisa ka sa pagkuha ng mga larawan?

—Painting, Art History.

—Ano ang nais mong sabihin sa iyong mga larawan?

—A sense of shared humanity and an emotional connection.

—Ano ang nag-uudyok sa iyo na ipagpatuloy ang pagkuha ng mga larawan?

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

—Ang iyong magulang ba ay dapat naging mas o hindi gaanong istrikto?

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

—Kung maaari mong balikan ang nakaraan, ano ang babaguhin mo?

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

—Paano naman ang buhay sa ibang mga planeta?

—of course.

—Sino ang iyong mga bayani?

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

—Kanino ka walang respeto?

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

—Ano ang iyong ginagawa sa iyong bakanteng oras?

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

—Anong bahagi mo ang hindi nakikita ng publiko?

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

—Kailan ka ganap na nasisiyahan sa iyong trabaho?

—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.

—Naniniwala ka ba sa tradisyunal na mga papel para mga sa lalaki at babae?

—no

—Mabilis ka ba makipagkaibigan?

—yes

—Saan mo gustong manirahan?

—On an island in warm weather

—Mayroon bang buhay pagkatapos ng kasal?

—Sure.

—Mayroon ka bang paboritong biro? Sabihin mo sa amin.

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

—Mahilig ka ba sa mga aso at pusa?

—Dogs, though I like both.

—Sino o ano ang iyong kinasusuklaman?

—No way. I respect everyone.

—Ang pinakamahalagang bagay sa buhay ay:

—People, nature, and shared human experiences.

—Ang pinakanakakainis na bagay sa buhay ay:

—Hate and divisiveness.

—Mayroong ba sa iyong paligid na nais mong baguhin?

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

—Ano ang nais mong baguhin sa iyong sarili?

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

—Ano ang nais mong baguhin sa mundo?

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

—Maaari ka bang magbigay ng mga tip para sa mga photographer na nagsisimula pa lamang?

—Keep improving yourself.

—Kung ang mga alien ay pumunta sa Earth at ikaw ang una nilang makikilala, ano ang sasabihin mo sakanila?

—Have a beer!

—Kung ikaw ay tatawagin upang mag-shoot ng pelikula, ano ang magiging kategorya nito?

—Drama

—Bukas ako pupunta at gagawa...

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