Фотограф Erik Kruthoff

—Перше і найважливіше - кого ви можете назвати найкращим фотографом у вашому місті? :)

—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 ;)

—Чи ви фотогенічні?

—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 :)

—Як ви опинилися у галузі фотографії?

—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.

—Якими, на вашу думку, є найголовніші складові гарної фотографії?

—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.

—Чи любите ви подорожувати?

—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.

—Що вам більш за все подобається у вашій професії?

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

—Що вам менш за все подобається у вашій професії?

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

—Яким буде майбутнє фотографії?

—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.

—Що робить жанр фотографії, в якому ви знімаєте, особливим?

—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.

—Як ви справляєтеся з критикою?

—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.

—Чи є якісь тренди у фотографії?

—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.

—Якими для клієнта повинні бути критерії вибору фотографа?

—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.

—Чого слід уникати при фотозйомці?

—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.

—Які деталі, що, зазвичай, проходять непоміченими, може «зловити» фотограф?

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

—Що впливає на цінність фотографії? Якими є елементи цього?

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

—Яка людина, на вашу думку, може бути символом 21-го століття?

—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.

—Кого ви бажаєте сфотографувати?

—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.

—Чи маєте ви якісь професійні табу?

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

—З ким ви хотіли б пофотографувати?

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

—Про що ви хвилюєтесь і чому?

—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.

—Який момент є найбільш вражаючим у вашому житті?

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

—Якщо ви були б персонажем мультика, книги або фільму, ким саме ви були б і чому?

—Don Quixote

—Хто надихає вас у вашому житті і чому?

—My two kids, easily.

—Як ви визначаєте успіх? Як ви його вимірюєте?

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

—Ви надали б перевагу тому, щоб вас любили чи все-таки поважали?

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

—Якою була найбільша помилка, якої ви припустилися на роботі?

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

—Коли ви збираєтесь у подорож, що ви берете з собою і чому?

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

—Чи є щось серед гаджетів, які вам належать, що ви воліли б краще не купувати? Чому?

—none.

—Як ви вчитесь робити гарніші знімки?

—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.

—Чиї роботи найбільше вплинули на вас, як на фотографа?

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

—Про яку одну річ ви хотіли б знати, коли розпочинали знімати фотографії?

—Painting, Art History.

—Що ви хочете сказати за допомогою ваших фотографій?

—A sense of shared humanity and an emotional connection.

—Що мотивує вас продовжувати робити знімки?

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

—Чи вашим батькам варто було б бути більш чи менш суворими?

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

—Якщо ви могли б повернутися назад у часі, що б ви зробили інакше?

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

—А як щодо життя на інших планетах?

—of course.

—Хто є вашими героями?

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

—Кого ви не поважаєте?

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

—Чим ви займаєтесь у свій вільній час?

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

—Який ваш бік публіка ніколи не бачить?

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

—Коли ви повністю задоволені своєю роботою?

—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.

—Чи ви вірите у традиційні ролі чоловіків та жінок?

—no

—Чи ви легко заводите друзів?

—yes

—Де ви хотіли б жити?

—On an island in warm weather

—Чи є життя після укладення шлюбу?

—Sure.

—Чи є у вас улюблений жарт? Розкажіть нам.

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

—Ви любите собак чи котів?

—Dogs, though I like both.

—Кого або що ви ненавидите?

—No way. I respect everyone.

—Найкраща річ у житті - це:

—People, nature, and shared human experiences.

—Те, що найбільш дратує в житті:

—Hate and divisiveness.

—Чи є щось таке навколо вас, що б ви хотіли змінити?

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

—Що б ви хотіли змінити в собі?

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

—Що б ви хотіли змінити у світі?

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

—Чи могли б ви дати кілька порад фотографам, які тільки починають свій шлях?

—Keep improving yourself.

—Якщо іншопланетяни завітають на Землю, і ви будете першою людиною, яку вони зустрінуть, що ви їм розповісте?

—Have a beer!

—Якщо вас запросять знімати кіно, якого жанру воно буде?

—Drama

—Завтра я піду і...

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