Intimate portrait with Virginie in Koné, New Caledonia

How I started intimate portrait photography ?

Today I wanted to present to you the photoshoot that put me on the path to Intimate portrait, which I also call "Selflove portrait" towards women. My meeting with Virginie was such a powerful trigger in my work that I had to tell you this story : when it all started !

First of all, here is the context: at that time, I was living in New Caledonia, in a small village of about 8000 inhabitants. I was very far from the capital (3h30) and I lived in a place where 70% of the locals Kanaks lived there. It was quite complicated for me to continue photographing the woman because I thought that the needs of the residents were not the same as in France. So I had made the choice to stop photographing women, even though that's what I've always been doing.

And then one day I receive a message from Virginie asking me for information for a photoshoot. I send her my prices for a family session but Virginie replied with these few words: "I don't want to take a photo with my family but rather a session for me, alone". I must admit that her message surprised me a lot. At that time, my communication concerning my intimate portraits photoshoot for women was almost nil. That's when we started talking about setting up this session, just for her.

Virginie helped me realize my value as a woman and a portrait photographer.

My place as a woman and a portrait photographer

During our meeting, Virginie confided in me her fear of passing time, which took her beauty with her. She confessed to me her devotion to her family without ever really taking the time to take care of her. She wanted to open a parenthesis, a moment of hers that could not be stolen.

Virginie had touched and moved me so much in front of so much confidence. A long debate ensues on the place of women in our society.

Once the session was over, I understood that she had brought out a real need in me: to give back the place to the woman in her body, her state of mind and the need for me to resume my sessions of portraits of women.

To learn more about an intimate portrait photoshoot, click here.

And because these words were my trigger to continue my intimate portraits of women, I share them with you here:

Sophie !!! I love them so much ! I would never have imagined such a result, what softness... what light, everything is just right. 1000 thanks, it was a pleasure to have shared the moment with you, in this intimacy between women, it's magic. The discovery of the photos is as fabulous as the afternoon. Keep doing what you love, it works for you! »

Share this story