Photographer Julian Abram Wainwright

—How did you get in the photography industry?

—I worked as a photojournalist for 10 years. When my wife and I started a family, I decided to transition to weddings because the lifestyle was better suited for spending time with my family. I only discovered that I love photographing weddings after I started shooting them!

—What are the most important components of a good photo in your opinion?

—Light. Moment. Composition.

—Do you love traveling?

—Yes. After college I travelled all over Asia, from Iran and India to Laos and Myanmar. I loved it so much I moved to Southeast Asia and have been here 15 years.

—What do you like most about your profession?

—I get to document one of the most important days in peoples' lives. Hopefully the images I create will be passed on to future generations. That gives me pride in my work. I also love that I get to be creative and photograph they way I want to.

—What do you like least about your profession?

—I love travelling, sometimes – particularly in the high season from January to May – it can be a drag. Saying goodbye to my kids for a few days is always tough.

—What will be the future of photography?

—Trends will come and go, but I think there will always be a market for classic documentary photography. People want photography that shows real moments, that tells the story of their wedding day. And there will probably be more drones :-(

—What is special in the photography genre you specialise at?

—Emotion.

—How do you handle criticism?

—Working with magazine editors for a decade has given me thick skin. Criticism is good. It helps you grow as an artist. Take it, learn from it, move on.

—Are there any trends in photography?

—Trends are silly and don't interest me. As an artist if you follow trends you are lost.

—What should be the criteria for a customer to choose a photographer?

—Obviously the images have to speak to them, make them feel something in their hearts. And they should get to know the photographer, if not in person maybe on Skype, so that they get to know their personalities and see if they're a good fit.

—What things are to be avoided when shooting?

—Don't be an asshole. Seriously, always be the nicest guy in the room. And don't make it about you. This is their day, not yours. Bend over backwards to make it work. And don't interfere with the natural flow of things. I've seen video teams interrupt the first dance to tell the couple to stop and do it a different way. That's ridiculous. My job is to document the wedding day as it happens in real time. Not create a fake fairy tale. My clients want the same thing.

—What details that usually pass unnoticed can a photographer notice?

—The moments in between, the quiet moments. A good photographer is observant, vigilant, and ready to capture the moments that most people don't see. Also, an experienced wedding photographer learns to anticipate certain moments and reactions throughout the wedding day, and knows where to find them. Its like muscle memory in sports. It becomes a sixth sense.

—What influences the value of a photo? What are its elements?

—All photographers post romantic, well lit portraits, because this sells and attracts clients. But the most valuable photos are real, not posed. Those are the ones I think couples will appreciate most 50 years down the line. Interesting natural light, a great moment/emotion, and thoughtful composition. Those are the basic three elements in any good wedding photograph. It sounds simple, but its very rare to capture all three in one image. When you do, its magic.

—Who do you want to take photos of?

—Fun, kind people who aren't afraid to laugh and cry and get nasty on the dancefloor.

—Do you have any professional taboos?

—Don't be late.

—Who would you like to shoot with?

—Larry Burrows.

—What do you worry about, and why?

—I worry about my kids. The usual parent stuff. When you have a family, you realize whats important, and whats not. And it allows you to not worry much about most things, and just focus on what matters.

—What is the most impressive moment in your life?

—The birth of my children.

—How do you define success? How do you measure it?

—Happiness, pride, respect, kindness.

—When you're going to travel, what do you take with you and why?

—I travel a lot so I have a good system. My Think Tank Airport Roller Derby holds my gear and saves my back. I have a new Macbook, the really little one that weighs nothing, and its perfect for someone who travels a lot. Noise-cancelling headphones, and lots of podcasts. Cliff bars.

—How do you educate yourself to take better pictures?

—Try and go out every single day and photograph. Anything, it doesn't matter. But the repetitive process of making pictures will make you better. Be thoughtful about it, slow down, and remember the basics of good photography. And also go to the library or bookstore and check out the photography books. Looking at pictures on the Internet sucks.

—Whose work has influenced you most as a photographer?

—Classic photojournalism, like from the Magnum Photo Agency. My passion is photojournalism, so I spend a lot of time following contemporary news and documentary photographers. Too many to list.

—What is the one thing you wish you knew when you started taking photos?

—How to run a photography business.

—What do you want to say with your photographs?

—Life is beautiful.

—What motivates you to continue taking pictures?

—There's something timeless about strong documentary photography. I like creating things that will have a long lifespan. And there's kindof a never ending pursuit of beauty and grace in photography, in capturing that elusive trifecta of LIGHT MOMENT COMPOSITION that keeps me curious and motivated and passionate about picking up a camera every day.

—Should your parents have been more or less strict?

—They did a good job. I should tell them that more often.

—If you could go back in time, what would you do differently?

—No regrets. Even if you mess up, learning from your mistakes is essential in growing as an artist and a human being. I have a great life, can't complain.

—What about life on other planets?

—Of course. It's kindof ridiculous to think we're the only life in the universe.

—When are you completely satisfied with your work?

—Never.