Interview: Photographer Eric Chieze (France)

Can you tell us a little about you?

I am 43 years old, its almost 10 years that I am professional photographer, I used to work worldwide, especially in Thailand, Switzerland, Maroc , Spain or England. I specialized in fashion or beauty, but I do also report, weeding or landscape. In my work I like to focus on peoples, to put then in the front. I like to express my point of view and try to show things we do not see.

How and when did you get into photography?

In fact, I begin photography throw video. I begin video cause with a friend we make a website about rap music, I shoot interview of rappers. And I decide to continue to learn more about video, so I did practise sessions until I did a 4-month practise at Éclair who is one of two of French laboratory who treatment of analogy film for Movies. So, I was manipulating film and I was literally touching of the photos of the movies. So that pushed me to try to takes photos by myself so I begin with street photo and I used to take photo of objects that I selling on ebay , and I remark that I sell better when my picture are better so that impulse me to get better result . Until I get boring to shoot alone so I decide to try portrait photo, so I shoot some friends to approach the retouches. With Facebook I get in touch with a model who already shoot so I ask her for a shooting, and when she post my photos, many models come to ask me to shoot, then some stylists come to ask me for look book, it’s by this way I get professional.

Please briefly describe your photography style for our readers.

I don’t think that I have especially one style, I could do things quite different, between contrasted black and white or more some lightly things, I used to adapt myself to my customers. But I am quite classical on my cropping. I prefer not to expressive mood to my model; I prefer more internal feeling. And always try to do my best to put forward my team. and I am quiet maniac on my retouch I like that everything it’s straight right and clean. lol

What does photography mean to you?

Photography for me, it’s a way to express myself, and give my point of view. Firstable it is a passion and now it’s my work.

Where do you get inspiration from?

I watch daily a lot of photos, sometime I screenshot some I like , I take care about technical details or about stylism or make up , and I stock in a part of my brain and before or during the shoot some come to me . I shoot and I things or it is look like this stuff so during to shoot I try to go on that it’s makes me remind. If I gat to drop some names, I like a lot Lucien Clergue , David lachappelle, or Patrick Demarchelier.

Do you think in advance what you want in the picture ?

When your work with a team or with customers you need to plan a beat, to have a mood board like that everyone know what to do . But I let a big part to feel the mood of the shoot and I try to capture the natural of my model, and I try the best the catch the magic of unexpected.

Studio, on location or both?

Really both I like working my lighting and in the calm of my studio, but I like to be in nice place or in the landscape. To be honest I leave in part of France it’s quiet rainy weather so during autumn or winter it’s more studio and when it’s springtime or summer it’s forest or beach shoot.

Would you consider yourself a hobbyist or a paid professional?

I am professional I used to work with a Thai photographer , we shoot for magazines, advertising campaign , we did a tour for canon across Thailand during 2 months. I do many look book for brand, and for two years I give courses photography. I shoot for model book and family portraits.

What has been your most memorable session and why?

One time I did campaign for jewel in Thailand at koh samui that was my best contract ever finger cross to catch another like that.

Nikon or Canon? Favorite lens?

The Thai photographer who I work with; is ambassador canon in Thailand. So I used to work with canon equipment I always like the colour rendering and the ergonomic of their body I use canon 5dsr and expect to change for canon r5. And my favorite lens is the 85mm 1.2 it is wonderful colour and quality of blur, it’s the lens I use the more but a gat many others, in studio I use 70 200 mm 2.8 perfect for studio but I use less outside cause it’s too big and heavy.

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

Become professional its different to be just hobbyist photographer. Many times, you shoot stuff that you not really appreciate but that is the job, and you have to do your best. Sometime customers are not easy too, so it’s better to thinks twice before to make it as your business, but for me I don’t thinks I could do a different job and it’s always a pleasure to see my customers happy of their photos, and I feel really grateful when people buy me some printing to put in their home.

What do you think of our new magazine?

I think it’s good thing, photos are nice , I am glad of this interview.

https://www.facebook.com/eric.chieze/

https://www.instagram.com/eric_ch_photographer/?hl=fr

https://www.echosdecouleurs.com/