Photographer Ken Pak

—Ikaw ba ay photogenic?

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

—Paano ka nagsimula sa industriya ng photography?

—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.

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

—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.

—Mahilig ka ba maglakbay?

—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).

—Ano ang pinakagusto mo sa iyong propesyon?

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

—Ano ang hindi mo gusto sa iyong propesyon?

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

—Ano ang magiging kinabukasan ng photography?

—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.

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

—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.

—Paano ka tumatanggap ng pagpuna?

—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.

—Mayroon bang mga trend ang photography?

—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.

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

—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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

—Big brothers in media.

—Sino ang gusto mong kuhaan?

—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.

—Mayroon ka bang mga propesyonal na ipinagbabawal?

—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.

—Sino ang gusto mong makasama sa pagkuha ng larawan?

—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.

—Ano ang ikinababahala mo, at bakit?

—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.

—Ano ang pinakahanga-hangang pagkakataon sa iyong buhay?

—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.

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

—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!

—Sino ang nagbibigay inspirasyon sa iyong buhay at bakit?

—Jesus Christ who keeps me being a better person.

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

—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.

—Mas pipiliin mo bang magustuhan o nirerespeto?

—I would rather be liked.

—Ano ang pinakamalaking pagkakamali ang nagawa mo sa trabaho?

—Encountering a media failure by using cheap media card.

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

—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.

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

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

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

—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.

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

—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.

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

—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.

—Ano ang nais mong sabihin sa iyong mga larawan?

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

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

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

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

—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.

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

—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).

—Paano naman ang buhay sa ibang mga planeta?

—I am going to ask God about it.

—Sino ang iyong mga bayani?

—Whoever influences me to become a better person.

—Kanino ka walang respeto?

—People who commit sins without repent afterwards.

—Ano ang iyong ginagawa sa iyong bakanteng oras?

—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.

—Anong bahagi mo ang hindi nakikita ng publiko?

—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.

—Kailan ka ganap na nasisiyahan sa iyong trabaho?

—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.

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

—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.

—Mabilis ka ba makipagkaibigan?

—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.

—Saan mo gustong manirahan?

—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.

—Ano ang pinakamangmang na bagay na sinang-ayunan mong gawin?

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

—Mayroon bang buhay pagkatapos ng kasal?

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

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

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

—Mahilig ka ba sa mga aso at pusa?

—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.

—Sino o ano ang iyong kinasusuklaman?

—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.

—Ang pinakamahalagang bagay sa buhay ay:

—When my son was born.

—Ang pinakanakakainis na bagay sa buhay ay:

—Dealing with business partners and friends who betrayed me.

—Mayroong ba sa iyong paligid na nais mong baguhin?

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

—Ano ang nais mong baguhin sa iyong sarili?

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

—Ano ang nais mong baguhin sa mundo?

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

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

—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.

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

—"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

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

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

—Bukas ako pupunta at gagawa...

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