"I want to keep believing in things that inspire me."
THE STORY
Profession:
Photographer and Director
Current Location:
Paris
Early Career:
I started photography after working as a model for several years. First it was more like something fun for me. I was taking pictures of my model friends, and it was also a way to take back some kind of freedom in a creative process. I was not only a model who is part of someone else's project. I was at the origin of the project. Somehow I felt very free.
Current Works:
I’m developing personal projects with a very good friend of mine, Kaduri Elyashar. We work together a lot. I’ve been working on some editorials, commercial. The usual “fashion photographer” working life. I have also started a photo and video project with unaccompanied foreign minors from an association i’m involved with. That’s not something related to my work, but very dear to my heart. That’s for them mostly, to have actual memories from artistic ateliers we had together for months. And I have a documentary project related to teen girls. It’s a work in progress.
People/Brands/Companies/Organizations you have worked with:
Since I started photography, a lot. To name a few: Dior, Lancôme, Rimowa, Vogue, independant magazines. I had the chance to shoot many artists as well: Vincent Cassel, Adèle Exarchopoulos, Eddie Redmayne, Tahar Rahim, Mads Mikkelsen, Lea Seydoux, Jehnny Beth among others.
The work you are the most proud of:
There is none I could say I’m the most proud about. I like to say I didn’t make it yet.
THE QU & A
What are 3 values that you wish to mediate through your work?
Awareness
Imagination
Questioning
What are 3 relevant problems that you wish to solve through your work?
There are none really. I just wish to accomplish some long term projects that are quite hard to produce. I want to keep believing in things that inspire me.
All problems I can encounter in this industry are not related to my work itself. But yes if I have to mention something, maybe to see more space for creativity and art in fashion photography.
GENESIS
Why do you create?
To tell and share stories, emotions.
How do you create?
That’s a mental process, always starting with inspiration. And inspiration can come from everywhere.
What do you live for?
Happiness, sharing, feeling.
How do you live?
Simply. Spending time with the people I love, and a lot with myself. Privacy and intimacy are very important in my daily life.
THE CONVERSATION
When will the audience pursue actual strength rather than fame?
Question asked by Lee Ann Lui, Photographer, Hong Kong & London
I’m not sure that the audience is looking for fame rather than strength. People pay more attention to what they hear about, or know already.
How to demonstrate that fashion is not something superficial but something of cultural relevance?
Question asked by Panni Margot, Fashion Designer, Buenos Aires
That’s history. Fashion can be appropriated, that’s the reflection, the mark from a specific time.
Are we creating better art; is the condensing of influence creating more unique works?
Question asked by Ashleigh Hobbs, Artist, Brisbane
I don’t think we are creating better art today. Art evolves continuously. Let’s say creative tools are easily accessible, no matter if you want to paint, draw, photograph, sculpt. With internet, social media, the influence of other people’s work is everywhere. I find unique works more rare. If I talk only about fashion photography, you see mostly trends, people looking similar at a moment, some evolving with the trends as well. I guess that can be generalized to many creative sectors. Today anyone can show his work quite easily, that’s the real positive side of it all.
This interview contributes to a new media format, where Creatives are in full control of their narratives. By exploring alternatives to narrative journalism, GAHSP starts unconventional conversations, emphasizing values and problems that shape our lives collectively.
Written and Edited by Julia Horvath
Image Courtesy of Laura Marie Cieplik