REPRINTED FROM AN ARTICLE OF THE SAME TITLE, 6th APRIL 2008, The Daily Tribune
It’s not surprising that a fast mind like Atty. Raymund Fortun would pick photography up as a pastime and turn it into a passion. He seems to be challenged by the speed of creating something well-composed. Can he and his camera be faster than his ever-changing subjects? In this exclusive online interview, he dissects the issue without the complication of a high-profile court case, showing the brilliant man that he really is. |
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Edgar Cruz (EC): Did lawyering prepare you for photography? Atty. Raymund Fortun (RF): I’ve been a passionate and driven person since birth. I just look cool on television, but I’m very intense in what I do whether it’s lawyering, sports, music, and now photography and the arts. EC: What are the common factors between law and photography? RF: The discipline, dedication and the patience required of someone who wants to be good in both. EC: When did you see the light, so to speak, to become a photographer? RF: Recent technology has now made it possible for slideshows to be shown during weddings, debuts, etc. Initially, I wanted my kids to have beautiful slideshows of their youth when they have their debut or wedding. Then, it dawned on me that I could do the same for other people, that is, to make beautiful memories of their special day. EC: Will you be a photographer if you’re not a lawyer? RF: Heavens, I never dreamed that I would have a passion for photography. As of November 2006, I was happy taking snapshots of my family using a Casio Exilim 4.0MP point-and-shoot. I think the camera bug bit me when I got a super-zoom camera, a Lumix FZ7. From that time on, coming out with beautiful pictures became an obsession. EC: Are you planning to turn professional? RF: The thought has occurred to me. My number one problem is time management. I am choirmaster for two choirs, and I will resume my teaching load (at San Beda Alabang College of Law) by next semester. Obviously, coupled with lawyering during weekdays and quality family time during weekends, I am in a quandary whether this is something I would have time to do on a regular basis. Right now, all I want to do is improve on my technique, scene recognition, instincts, after which I will have a long talk with my wife on whether I should go professional. EC: Your wife? RF: My wife’s opinion is the one that matters the most. She has been very supportive, and she thinks I have a lot of promise in this field. EC: What is the most common comment about your photos? RF: My very first wedding shoot (in Sept. 2007) was horrible, but understandable. I had absolutely no idea on what would constitute as a good-looking wedding photograph. But I’ve taken the comments from a lot of photographers very seriously, and I’ve been reading a lot of photography literature since then. You can check out the latest comments in my Multiply Web site, http://raymond42n.multiply.com EC: Are you paying the kids as models? RF: Which one? My family shoot? It was a lot of fun. I shot them in their pajamas. EC: Will you not intimidate future clients since you’re a “de kampanila” lawyer? RF: No. I think that people would find it cool to have Raymond Fortun as their official photographer. At the end of the day, it’s the output from my camera which matters. One of my brothers was worried that baka sungitan daw ako by certain demanding clients. I told him, “I have nasty legal clients, and I’ve dealt with them.” I don’t foresee any problem with this. EC: Are you a weekend photographer, a Saturday photographer or a Sunday photographer? RF: If I go professional, I would rather be shooting only during Saturdays. Sundays are for God (I’m a choirmaster, remember?). Oh, and wifey demands that I keep my fourth weekends free for out-of-town trips. EC: Has it ever occur to you that you may be the reincarnation of some famous photographer? But your answer will not be probable in court. RF: No, Catholics don’t believe in reincarnation. Ha ha ha! I think I’d like to develop my own style. I’d like to shoot one wedding where everything is in black-and-white, except for the flowers. EC: How much will you charge for a wedding coverage, the whole works? RF: I don’t know right now. It really depends on what will be required of me. For sure, I can’t charge the way the established pros do because I still have a lot to learn. But I’m a fast learner, and I intend to be very good in this field. EC: What’s the lead time in order for you to accept a wedding coverage? RF: Maybe a month. It will have to fit my schedule (only during the first three Saturdays of a month). That would also be enough time to schedule a pre-nuptial shoot, which is becoming the in thing nowadays. A pre-nuptial shoot is one where the couple and I would go some place scenic and make dramatic shots/poses. EC: Who is the Filipina actress you’d like to photograph in the nude? RF: I will never do this. My reputation as a lawyer will be affected. EC: When did you learn perfectionism is an important rule in photography? RF: I’ve always been a perfectionist in everything I do. If I don’t think I would be any good in something, I won’t do it. When it comes to photography, there are certain rules that, generally, have to be followed to come up with a photo that is “pleasing to the eye.” EC: Are you obsessive-compulsive? RF: Hindi naman. I just like doing things well. There is no “pwede na ‘yan” in my vocabulary. I set high standards for myself, that’s all. EC: Lawyering and photography are two different things? RF: Wala lang. It’s not something I’d like to be known for, so I won’t do it. As I said, if I don’t see myself being good at it, I won’t do it at all. I’d like to be known as a good wedding/events photographer. EC: Could you have diverted to photography because of your need to be perfect, which, I think, is not possible in lawyering? RF: Being perfect is possible in lawyering. It is people who do not believe in the majesty of the law that gives lawyering a bad name. If only lawyers abide by their lawyer’s oath, cases would be resolved much faster in this country. EC: What other things people do not know about you? RF: (That I’m) intense. I don’t look it and I don’t sound like it, but all my clients know that I would do everything legally possible to win their case. This passion for life applies to my shooting, my choir, and in sports. EC: You think or shoot faster? RF: Think fast and shoot faster actually. The camera I have now takes care of the “shoot faster” part. I can now do six frames per second. EC: Yes, they necessarily follow one another? Are you a speed freak? Why do you sing and not speed drive? RF: Ha ha ha, hindi. I’ve been blessed with having a quick mind. It helps during interviews. ‘Di ako nagpa-panic. I believe that everything is pretty much laid out by a Higher Being. So I’m calm enough to let things flow, and trust in Him. EC: What is the last question that you would like me to ask you? RF: Whose wedding would I like to shoot? EC: Shoot! RF: I’d like to shoot Prince William’s wedding to any future bride EC: Wow! Would you like him to marry soon? RF: Prince William? In about five years. By then, I would know if I’m worthy to do the shoot. Can I have another question as a last one? EC: Sure! RF: Ask me this: Students have masters from whom they learn. Who are yours? Answer: Ross Capili for portraitures and Frank Dizon of Imagineer Digital for weddings/events. I’m training under Frank Dizon for weddings. | 
