Émilie Régnier

Photographed By Émilie Régnier 

HOW WAS YOUR STAY AT HYÈRES?
My stay at Hyères was very nice. The town is beautiful and I met a lot of interesting people. The quality of the work shown there was amazing. It was fun to meet so many different artists from so many different backgrounds.

WHERE WERE YOU BORN AND RAISED?
I was born in Canada and raised between Central Africa and Canada.

WHAT DID YOU DISCOVER IN AFRICA?
So many things it would be hard to point out one in particular. That the continent has its own history that goes so far from the Ghana Empire to Soundiata Keïta and Shakazulu. I think what I discovered is that Africa as to be approached with extreme humility and curiosity, not as a conquistador.

WHY PHOTOGRAPHY AND WHAT INFLUENCED YOUR CAREER PATH?
I chose photography as a medium because I was terrible at painting and drawing. I use photography in order to share my vision with the world. I think I was influenced a lot by my early years in Africa, and old black and white photographs from artist like Diane Arbus.

WHAT DO YOU WISH TO COMMUNICATE WITH YOUR PHOTOGRAPHS?
That we may be more alike than we think we are despite where we are born.

HOW DO YOU ESTABLISH TRUST BETWEEN YOURSELF AND YOUR SUBJECT THAT ALLOWS FOR THE LEVEL OF INTIMACY DISPLAYED IN SOME OF YOUR PICTURES?
I always try to establish an exchange with my subject when it is possible before photographing them. Everyone as a story and I try to show how unique they are in my portraits.

WHAT INSPIRES YOU AND WHAT EXPERIENCE HAS HAD A PROFOUND IMPACT ON YOUR WORK/LIFE?
I am inspired by pretty much everything, I get inspired while wandering the street or looking at my ceiling. In 2013, I covered the conflict in Northern Mali. I realized at that point I’m not built for conflict photography and I had to find another path.

BY THE WAY, DO YOU PREFER SHOOTING WITH DIGITAL OR ANALOGE CAMERAS?
Analoge!

ON A DAY OFF YOU’RE MOST LIKELY?
Reading magazines, newspapers, books, sleeping, hanging out with friends, sitting at café people watching, or on my way to an exhibition or a performance.

HOW YOU INDULGE?
With wine, food and popcorn.

WHAT DO YOU KNOW FOR SURE?
Nothing.