Are you photogenic?

Only whenever I’m not faking my smile 😉

How did you become a Wedding Photographer?

I had always loved taking photos as a hobby but had no real knowledge on the subject. I was working at Citibank in one of those «dream jobs» that everyone wants only when they don’t have it… I couldn’t sleep, I dreamed with workflow diagrams (REALLY!) and I felt I just needed an escape. I bought my first semipro camera and registered into La Salle College. I took two courses and was just hooked, but never thought of pursuing photography as a career. After two years I met Gustavo (my fiancé and business partner) and since we both loved photography we took our cameras everywhere. Our friends began telling us that we took awesome photos and we should think about making it more than a hobby. We began investigating and went to a few weddings as second shooters until we felt ready to take on the responsibility on our own. We are both currently full time wedding photographers!

 Which are the key elements that make a photo attractive?

Moment, emotion, light and composition.

Do you like to travel?

I absolutely love to travel and hope to be able to see and photograph the world!

What gives happiness to your workday?

Every wedding implies an emotional surge that renews me. I absolutely enjoy getting to know every client, helping and providing any assessment they may need, before and during their wedding day. We have made quite a few new friends thanks to this profession!

Is there anything about your job you don’t like?

There is way to much envy and nasty competition only based on pricing. Thankfully we have met a few collegues that share our view of being more human and friendly than competitive.

How do you imagine wedding photography in the future?

Brides and grooms who previously made the mistake of thinking «I have a friend who owns a professional camera» or «My uncle Bob will take care of the photos» or «I found a photographer who is INCREDIBLY cheaper than you» or even «my friend who takes photos for National Geographic offered to take my photos at no charge» are now alarming their own friends and suggesting they should invest in a profesional and experienced wedding photographer. Clients are beginning to realize that investing millions in flowers it not worth it if you don’t at least have good photos to remember them by. So… the future? I’d say its just bound to be brighter every day!

What makes wedding photography different from other types of photography?

The emotional component in the atmosphere that you can feel, capture and relive. As well as the amount of detail and effort that you know was put into making the day perfect… and knowing that you (or us in my case) are the ones responsible for making the couple and their family and friends be able to remember even more than what they were actually able to see.

How do you handle criticism?

I try to receive it in a constructive way in order to improve. I would actually enjoy receiving more constructive criticism from colleagues.

Are there trends in wedding photography?

I think there are several trends (some in fashion, others not so much) regarding the way you approach a wedding and there are also trends in the way images are edited and post-processed. None better than others, just different.

What should bride and grooms take into account when looking for their wedding photographer?

I believe they should just love their style and approach on weddings and feel connected and confident about their choice. If there is any reason to doubt, rethink.

What should we totally avoid in a photoshoot?

Hmm… chewing gum? Wearing high heels? I don’t know I guess anything that would be uncomfortable for your clients, their guests or even yourself.

What details normally ignored can a wedding photographer capture?

I would say the actions (emotional connection and complicity) between the bride and groom and the actions and reactions of the guests to whatever is going on. Practice makes us better observers in time.

What makes a photo beautiful? What characteristics does a good photo have?

I believe in wedding photography there is value only when the photo is actually valuable for someone. The emotional component in the photo can make it even more valuable, and to some viewers, more or even less beautiful. You may have taken a photo that is your favorite of all times, but if the bride and groom divorce, the photo will have no value whatsoever to them and will loose sense even for you. You may take a regular portrait of the groom with his grandmother and then find out that grandma passed a few months after… that photo is invaluable to him and very valuable to you, but may be of no value to others. So elements? I guess the main one would be love.

Who is the icon of the XXI Century?

There’s still more than 80 years left in the century lets give it more time 😉

Who do you like to photograph?

Happy and enamoured brides and grooms.

Do you belive a photo can replicate the soul of the person photographed?

I don’t know if I «replicate the soul» but I do like to see authenticity.

Is there anything that worries you? What and why?

I think I worry about the future that is meant to the following generations. I just see hatred, destruction and evil everywhere.

Which moment do you consider the most impressive in your life?

Hmmm first thing that comes to mind was my engagement, it was at night on Charles Bridge in Prague with the view the Prague Castle. Totally surprising, romantic and impressive!

Which superhero would you like to be and why?

Captain Planet. I would just love to have the power to «bring pollution down to zero».

What is success to you? How can you measure it?

Being able to live happily, peacefully and freely. Finding the joy in everything you do (specially for a living), and enjoying both the simple and the complex.

What is better: being liked or respected?

Liked. I’d say most people that like you will respect you anyway. If respect is only a manifestation of hypocrisy, in the long run you inspire nothing.

What has been your worst error in your professional carreer?

Hmm… I once sent an album off for printing and when I received it I realized that the bride had a black smudge on her cheek in the photo of the kiss. I went to look at the original photo and when I zoomed in I discovered that the black smudge was actually a huge mosquito. Of course I had to send it back and pay for the correction. I now zoom in to anything that I’m not so sure is a mole.

When you travel, what do you take with you and why?

A very good smartphone. It holds all important information, allows you to use GPS applications, access the internet, communicate with loved ones and take (good-enough) daytime photos and video. I’ve never had to travel without additionally taking my camera but it ends up being «too much» when all you need is a selfie or a fellow tourist that can actually take a photo that is in focus.

What gadgets do you own and prefer not to have purchased? Why?

While you learn what is truly important you spend on things you think you need. I would totally take back a few backdrops that I bought expecting to have extra time during the week to do lots of newborn photography. Whenever I need a backdrop I use different alternatives anyway.

How do you improove your habilities as a wedding photographer?

«Practice makes the master” and I do feel I learn more with every wedding we shoot. However we try to find time to do at least one professional workshop every year, read and investigate ways to improve and perfect technical knowledge, follow and analyze photos taken by other colleges (not only weddings), take online courses and watch good movies.

 What would you have liked to learn before becoming a photographer?

No matter how much effort you put into a photo or how much heart you involve in making the image the best, «beauty still is in the eye of the beholder». You just can’t suffer or take it personal if in the end it doesn’t even make the photo album.

What message do you want your photos to transmit?

I just want my photos to speak for themselves.

What makes you keep on taking photos?

The value that so many clients give to our work and the fact that the value of many of them will increase even more during time. Reading the testimonial section in our blog is a permanent motivation!

In your opinin, whould your parents have been more or less strict with you?

They did their best and surely made mistakes like every parent, but bottom line is I always felt loved. I think they should have been just like they were because that’s what has made me the person I am today.

If you could travel in time, what would you do differently?

I would have spent less on the unnecessary and more on experiences and travel.

Is there life on other planets?

Seriously? NASA will surely answer this one better than I can.

People who treat you like crap just because they think they are in a «higher» place than you are.

How do you invest your free time?

I try to spend more quality time with my friends and family. If there is singing involved, better yet!

Which side of you do people don’t know?

Depends on the public… I am very sensitive but I don’t show it much. A few wedding vows and speeches have made me cry in «public» recently.

When do you feel totally satisfied with your job?

Whenever we receive a call or message from the bride and groom expressing how happy they are with their photos.

Do you believe in traditional femenine and masculine roles?

I was born in a very traditional household but believe roles have changed for justifiable reasons.

Do you make friends easily?

I consider myself a friendly person but I am not very good at being in contact with everybody. I’ve always hated spending hours on the phone (not even as a teenager when I actually tried). My true friends know they can count on me and I’m always there even if we don’t see or speak to each other often.

Where would you like to live?

A retirement in the Rosario Islands in Cartagena would be a dream come true. In the meantime I prefer to be someplace where I can travel for both work and pleasure easily. Bogotá is ideal in this case.

Which is the stupidest thing you’ve ever done?

Go Bungee Jumping off a 130 meter viaduct near Cajamarca, Colombia.

Do you believe in life after marriage?

If I didn’t think so I wouldn’t have gotten married!

Cats or dogs?

Do you hate someone or something?

Hypocrisy and superficiality.

Do you shoot only weddings or something else?

Weddings are my favorite but I enjoy any event or portrait session where there ir emotion involved.

If you could change something about yourself, what would it be and why?

I would be a little less stubborn and a little more wild.

What would you change in the world?

Lack of love, indifference, injustice, misery, envy and resentment.

What advice would you give to a wedding photographer that is starting off?

Start off as second shooters while you truly learn the dynamic of wedding photography… and don’t just do it for the money.

Imagine aliens come to earth and you are the first human being they encounter. What would you say to them?

I’d probably just stare (or hide) and be totally incapable of communication. Unless they look like ET.

If you have the oportunity of shooting a movie what kind would it be and where?

Drama – hopefully taking place in an inspiring city like Prague.

What are your plans for tomorrow?

Tomorrow is saturday… take a wild guess!?