Fotograf Ken Pak

—Er du fotogen?

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

—Hvordan ble du en del av fotografbransjen?

—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.

—Hva er de viktigste komponentene i et bra bilde etter din mening?

—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.

—Er du glad i å reise?

—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).

—Hva liker du best med yrket ditt?

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

—Hva liker du minst med yrket ditt?

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

—Hvordan ser fremtiden ut for fotografering?

—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.

—Hva er det spesielle med den fotografisjanger du har spesialisert deg 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.

—Hvordan takler du kritikk?

—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.

—Finnes det noen trender innen 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.

—Hva bør kriteriene være for en kunde som skal velge 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.

—Hvilke ting er absolutt ikke tillatt under fotograferingen?

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

—Hvilke detaljer, som vanligvis ingen ville lagt merke til, kan en fotograf fange opp?

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

—Hva påvirker bildets verdi? Hvilke elementer inneholder det?

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

—Hvilken person kan være symbolet på det 21. århundre etter din mening?

—Big brothers in media.

—Hvem kunne du tenkt deg å fotografere?

—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 noen yrkesmessige tabuer?

—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.

—Hvem kunne du tenkt deg å fotografere sammen 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.

—Hva bekymrer deg, og hvorfor?

—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.

—Hva er det mest imponerende øyeblikket i livet ditt?

—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.

—Hvilken animert figur, literær person eller filmkarakter ville du vært, og hvorfor?

—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!

—Hvem inspirerer deg i ditt liv, og hvorfor?

—Jesus Christ who keeps me being a better person.

—Hvordan definerer du suksess? Hvordan måler du graden av suksess?

—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.

—Foretrekker du å bli likt eller respektert?

—I would rather be liked.

—Hva er den største tabben du noensinne har gjort på jobben?

—Encountering a media failure by using cheap media card.

—Når du skal ut å reise; hva tar du med deg, og hvorfor?

—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.

—Er de noe blant dine gadgets du angrer på å ha kjøpt? Hvorfor?

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

—Hvordan utdanner du deg for stadig å ta bedre bilder?

—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.

—Hvem sitt arbeid har inspirert deg mest 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.

—Hva spesifikt skulle du ønske at du visste da du begynte å fotografere?

—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.

—Hva ønsker du å formidle gjennom dine bilder?

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

—Hva motiverer deg til å fortsette med fotografering?

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

—Skulle foreldrene dine ha vært mer eller mindre strenge?

—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.

—Hva ville du ha gjort annerledes hvis du kunne reise tilbake i tid?

—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).

—Hva tenker du angående liv på andre planeter?

—I am going to ask God about it.

—Hvem er dine helter?

—Whoever influences me to become a better person.

—Hvem har du absolutt ingen respekt for?

—People who commit sins without repent afterwards.

—Hva gjør du i fritiden din?

—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.

—Hvilken side av deg viser du aldri offentlig?

—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.

—Når er du helt fornøyd med arbeidet ditt?

—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 tradisjonelle manne- og kvinneroller?

—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.

—Har du lett for å få nye venner?

—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.

—Hvor kunne du tenke deg å 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.

—Hva er de teiteste du noensinne har gått med på å gjøre?

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

—Finnes det et liv etter bryllupet?

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

—Har du en favorittspøk? Fortell.

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

—Liker du hunder 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.

—Hvem eller hva hater 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 beste i livet er:

—When my son was born.

—Det mest irriterende i livet er:

—Dealing with business partners and friends who betrayed me.

—Er det noe omkring du kunne tenkt deg å forandre på?

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

—Hva hos deg selv kunne du tenkt deg å endre på?

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

—Hva i verden kunne du tenkt deg å endre på?

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

—Kan du komme med noen gode råd til fotografer i startfasen?

—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.

—Forestill deg at romvesener ankommer jorda, og at du er den første de treffer. Hva ville du sagt til 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

—Hvis du ble spurt om å spille inn en film, hvilken sjanger ville den være?

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

—I morgen skal jeg...

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