As the founder of Pepper Image, Robert Wen stepped into the Australian wedding industry in the year 2001. He was one of the first Chinese Photographers to be accredited by the Australian Institute of Professional Photography (AIPP) and one of the earliest 5 photographers in Australia to join the Wedding Photojournalist Association (WPJA). Before settling down in Australia, Robert worked in media industry based in Beijing China as one of its earliest freelance photojournalist. Since then, he has worked for China National Geography Magazine, Global Entrepreneur Magazine, Business Next Magazine, China Youth Daily and his works have appeared in Times Magazine US, Far East Financial Review etc.
Today, La Bride is proud to present to you our very own interview with Robert Wen. :)
Q: Robert could please tell us about Pepper Image in a few words?
A: People ask why we’re called Pepper Image. The reason is because Pepper is used as one of the main ingredients for seasoning in western cooking, where a light sprinkle of pepper on a deliciously freshly cooked meal, can bring out a little something extra. The spirit of Pepper Image is in its precision. Its ability to capture an image at the perfect and precise moment. Our pictures are like gourmet meals topped up with pepper, drawing out its emphasis with a touch of simplicity. Over the years, Pepper Image has formed a dedicate team, working closely with key players of the wedding industry. Our team is not only youthful and passionate but is also made out of members with backgrounds in photojournalism, which really adds to Pepper Image’s wedding photojournalism approach.
Q: How do you think the concept of wedding photojournalism has merged and developed in the wedding industry in past few years?
A: The concept of wedding photojournalism merged about 10 years ago and became trend through out the booming of digital photography. With the progress of DSLRs cameras, planned and posed wedding photographs no longer fit many couple’s taste and desire. “Telling our own story” has become popular desire for many wedding couples. The development in this rising trend for wedding photojournalism coincides nicely with Pepper Image’s photographic approach. Recent years, we have also seen more Chinese couples falling in love with this so-called “western” style of wedding photography.
Q: What do you find most enjoyable about wedding photography? And what are itschallenges?
A: Wedding photography is filled with challenges and rewards. Getting to know many couples and their unique love stories makes my job very enjoyable. As for its difficulties…time frame is very tight on a wedding day. Team work are very essential and critical, Each of our team member needs to work together closely and works on their feet as there is no much room for error in most of circumstances. Most of the time we’re working under extreme pressure in deed.
Q: Nowadays, there is an increasing number of young photographers with interests in DSLR cameras and a passion for wedding photography. What is your advise for them?
A: Pepper Image has always been very supportive of photographers who is looking forward to step into wedding industry. The unique approach behind our worksstems from our strong background in photojournalism. That is why our advice to merging fellow photographers is to observe and understand a story’s focal point. The initial criteria as a residential photographer under Pepper Image, is to have holistic perspective of whole event rather than tunnel versioned on insignificant details. In the past many years, we have seen many photographers who obsess over the quality of their equipment, who focus too much on a photograph or a particular style that they tend to forget the main photographical significance of a story behind each picture taken. One can always improve their technical skills, but the vision behind an image is the difference between mediocre and a masterful one. We hope for many more talented photographers to join this industry and our team.
Q: What is your next step?
A: In 2012, Pepper Image stepped into the Chinese market with photographer Johnson Yao in charge of our studio in Bejing. Pepper Image has had great privilege to bring this so-called “western” wedding photojournalism to our hometown. In the past year, we have received a certain attention and recognition from our Chinese clients. Pepper Image’s Beijing studio has not only been invited to shoot at over 10 exquisite weddings in Beijing, but also been invited to shoot overseas including Indonesia and US. Back in China, we’ve also had the pleasure of shooting some weddings in Shenzhen and Qingdao. As of October, our photographer Johnson has brought Pepper’s style and passion into New York. Here we’d like to thank the couples in USA who’ve been so supportive of our work.
THANK YOU ROBERT FOR YOUR TIME AND INSIGHTS SHARED WITH US.