Fotograf Ken Pak

—Ste fotogenický?

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

—Ako ste sa dostali do fotografického priemyslu?

—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.

—Aké sú podľa vás najdôležitejšie súčasti dobrej fotografie?

—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.

—Máte radi cestovanie?

—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).

—Čo máte najradšej na vašej profesii?

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

—Čo sa vám páči najmenej na vašej profesii?

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

—Aká bude budúcnosť fotenia?

—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.

—Čo je výnimočné na žánri fotografií, na ktorý sa špecializujete?

—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.

—Ako zvládate kritiku?

—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.

—Sú nejaké trendy v oblasti fotografie?

—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.

—Aké by mal mať zákazník kritérium pri výbere fotografa?

—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.

—Čomu sa určite vyhnúť pri práci?

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

—Aké detaily, ktoré zvyčajne prejdú bez povšimnutia, si môže fotograf všimnúť?

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

—Čo ovplyvňuje hodnotu fotografie? Aké sú jej prvky?

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

—Ktorá osoba môže byť podľa vás symbolom 21. storočia?

—Big brothers in media.

—Koho chcete fotografovať?

—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.

—Máte nejaké profesionálne tabu?

—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.

—S kým by ste chceli fotografovať?

—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.

—Čoho sa obávate a prečo?

—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.

—Aký bol váš najpôsobivejší okamih v živote?

—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.

—Ak by ste boli animovaná, literárna alebo filmová postava, kto by ste boli a prečo?

—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!

—Kto vás vo vašom živote inšpiruje a prečo?

—Jesus Christ who keeps me being a better person.

—Ako definujete úspech? Ako ho meriate?

—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.

—Boli by ste radšej obľúbení alebo rešpektovaní?

—I would rather be liked.

—Aká je najväčšia chyba, ktorú ste kedy v práci urobili?

—Encountering a media failure by using cheap media card.

—Keď cestujete, čo si so sebou beriete a prečo?

—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.

—Existuje niečo, čo by ste si boli radšej nekúpili zo zariadení, ktoré vlastníte? Prečo?

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

—Ako sa vzdelávate, aby ste robili lepšie fotografie?

—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.

—Koho práca vás ovplyvnila najviac ako fotografa?

—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.

—Jedna vec, ktorú by ste chceli vedieť, keď ste začínali s fotením?

—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.

—Čo by ste chceli povedať cez vaše fotografie?

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

—Čo vás motivuje v ďalšom fotografovaní?

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

—Mali byť vaši rodičia menej alebo viac prísni?

—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.

—Ak by ste sa mohli vrátiť v čase, čo by ste urobili inak?

—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).

—Čo tak život na druhých planétach?

—I am going to ask God about it.

—Kto sú vaši hrdinovia?

—Whoever influences me to become a better person.

—Kto nemá u vás žiadny rešpekt?

—People who commit sins without repent afterwards.

—Čo robíte vo svojom voľnom čase?

—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.

—Akú vašu tvár nikdy neukazujte na verejnosti?

—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.

—Kedy ste úplne spokojní s vašou prácou?

—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.

—Veríte v tradičné role mužov a žien?

—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.

—Získavate ľahko nových priateľov?

—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.

—Kde by ste radi žili?

—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.

—Čo je tá najhlúpejšia vec, na ktorú ste kedy pristúpili?

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

—Existuje život po svadbe?

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

—Máte obľúbený vtip? Povedzte nám ho.

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

—Máte radi psy alebo mačky?

—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.

—Koho alebo čo nenávidíte?

—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.

—Najlepšia vec v živote je:

—When my son was born.

—Najviac znepokojujúca vec v živote je:

—Dealing with business partners and friends who betrayed me.

—Existuje niečo okolo vás, čo by ste chceli zmeniť?

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

—Čo by ste chceli zmeniť na sebe?

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

—Čo by ste chceli zmeniť vo svete?

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

—Môžete dať niekoľko tipov pre fotografov, ktorí práve začínajú?

—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.

—Keby prišli na našu planétu mimozemšťania a vy by ste boli prvou osobou, s ktorou sa stretnú, čo by ste im povedali?

—"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

—Ak by ste mali natočiť film, aký žáner by to bol?

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

—Zajtra pôjdem a urobím...

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