Tell us something about yourself

I am a 44-year-old youngster raised in Nice and Marseille. And I have been desperately in love with Paris for almost 20 years now.

How and when did you get into photography?
In 2008, I had a couple of months free from my job, so I managed to take photography lessons and to spend one month working as a shooting assistant at Pin Up, a very good studio.

I enjoyed every moment, the artistic part, the technical part, plus the atmosphere and the “work together” mindset. But I had to put this new hobby aside because I was working a lot. And then from 2011-2012, photography progressively became the biggest occupation of my free time.

 

What does photography mean to you?

Above all, photography teaches how to use my eyes to see the beauty of life.

Somehow, it teaches you awareness.

A frame, a light, a move or a feeling that life brings to you everyday… but what if you can’t see "it" ?

Then, photography even makes me able to catch it and to share it with everybody.

Taking photographs became a new and powerful way of expressing myself.

 

Please briefly describe your photography style for our readers.

People often say I am full of energy and attracted to beauty.

It sounds like a nice way to describe my personal style that actually reflects through photography.

My world is full of lines, sleek and high urban landscapes that seem to compete with the sky.

I favour slim and strong-minded women or woman that "act" strongly as in front of the camera, models can separate themselves from their everyday identity. Talented models can actually be recognised through their high versatility.

Unlike with nature, in my world, nothing is granted.

If you want the model on the picture to be your girl, you must know you will definitely have to be persuasive. Even when they are getting more naked, it doesn’t make them easier to seduce.

Also, I tend to consider more and more fashion, I mean clothes. But so far, I can’t make it the center of the picture.

In the end it is only a sophisticated way to make the model look even more interesting.

 

Where do you get inspiration from?
First of all, unless you are a genius, inspiration comes from a lot of work, looking at other photographers’ achievements, talking with designers, experiencing new technical skills. That opens the field of what is possible.

The preparation of the shooting is a major moment : you have time to let your mind freely create your frames, you can try to feel the atmosphere you want to show through your camera…

But, on the spot, the key is the model. Everything can be well set up, with a great team and a perfect location, without this key the door will remain shut. And some models can open more doors than you could even think of !

Until today, I believe I only made use of 10% of the inspiration my person could sense.

My goal is to experiment much more.

 

Think you in advance what you want in the picture?

The more I think in advance, the more confident I can shoot.

But this statement applies to good pictures. For pieces of art, the best is always to forget everything you prepared and just catch the moment. Art is intrinsically related to intuition.

 

Studio, on location or both?

Outdoor or indoor locations that differ from the traditional studio are obviously an infinite source of inspiration and novelty.

Since I embrace challenges, I like to be constrained by the studio setting and benefit from the unparalleled precise lighting it provides.

 

Would you consider yourself a hobbyist or a paid professional?

My weekly occupation that is both time-consuming and fulfilling allows me a very good standard of living.

As a result, I am lucky enough to freely deciding my projects upon my sensibilities and the quality of the team rather than the purpose of being remunerated.

And I always dedicate myself 100% to every project, just like if I was paid for it.

However, at some point, such way of working reaches its limits as the team's expectations in terms of remuneration rise with the greater size and boldness of the project.

 

What has been the biggest source of inspiration in your work?

Women, without any doubt. They are the matrix of everything and will always be.

Every new meeting with a model is a new space of inspiration. Sometimes a small, temporary one, sometimes a new planet. And, in very occasional cases, it is a whole universe.

 

Nikon or Canon? Favorite lens?

I started with Sony and then moved to Nikon due to the variety of lenses.

2 years ago, I lost my 70-200 f/2.8, perfect for studio, and decided to invest in the Nikkor 24-70 f/2.8, just to give it a try. After using it for 10 minutes, it felt like I entered a brand new world of dynamic angles, playing with distance and movement.

It has become my favorite lens, but I still use a lot my 50mm f/1.8, amazing for portraits thanks to its wonderful bokeh effect.

 

What is one piece of advice you would like to offer a new photographer looking to start their own business?

If you want to make money with photography, then you need work hard both your artistic skills and your business skills. Just like the human body, the business of photography needs two strong legs to walk the distance.

 

What do you think of our new magazine?

So much devotion in matter of time and effort to communicate on emerging talents is a bliss.

The artists we are should be very grateful to this precious gift.

 

Jude Fotografy – www.jude.book.fr