PORTRAITS
PORTRAITS / SERIES
For the past several years I have been inviting guests from all walks of life in New York to sit for me with the same table. I have always been captivated by the symbolism inherent in a table. While it may appear as a simple piece of furniture, it carries profound meaning. A table represents more than just a surface; it signifies gatherings, community, and shared experiences. It serves as a focal point where individuals converge to dine, converse, and forge connections. It embodies notions of openness, generosity, and inclusivity, underscoring the significance of human connection and community.
I explored the aspirations of young women in Guinea, focusing on their evolving socio-economic roles. Over six weeks, I traveled across the country with the Miss Guinea committee as they selected candidates for the final competition taking place in Conakry that same year. During the photo sessions, I asked each candidate about women's empowerment in Africa, pairing their responses with their portraits. Women’s emancipation in Africa is key to progress, requiring education, economic empowerment, and equal rights. Addressing cultural and legal barriers fosters change, poverty reduction, and social equity. A 52-minute documentary by Gilles Lallement was created for TV5 Monde.
During my trip to Guinea, I had the opportunity to photograph the acrobats and dancers of Pokémon Gnakry troupe as they trained. My work has always been driven by a deep fascination with the human form and expression. This project merges portraiture with dynamic body shots—two elements I find particularly compelling to capture through my lens. Pokémon Gnakry is a troupe that travels extensively across the country and beyond, showcasing a mesmerizing repertoire of acrobatics, traditional dance, contemporary performances, and Hip-Hop.
This project aims to shed light on a lesser-known issue: the challenges faced by people with albinism in Africa. Individuals with albinism are significantly at risk in most African countries. They face various forms of targeting from criminal networks that involve witch doctors, kidnappers, traffickers, and killers. They may be abducted, trafficked across cities, villages or countries, subjected to violence resulting in dismemberment for body parts, or even have their graves desecrated for organ removal. Regrettably, in numerous African countries, efforts to promote societal acceptance of people with albinism are minimal.
It’s a visual journey that captures the essence of a state rich in history, culture, and quiet beauty. Through portraits, architecture and landscapes, this series invites you to listen to the subtle stories embedded in Alabama's people and places—stories often left unsaid, yet deeply felt. From the faces of its residents to the sleepy little towns, each frame offers a glimpse into the heart of Alabama, where every whisper speaks of resilience, tradition, and the unspoken bonds between the past and its people.
Inspired by an actual US Marine Corps advertising campaign produced during the Iraq war, this photo collection digs into the deep impact on soldiers who were failed by a system not just abroad, but also upon their return home. The images explore various themes: from the intricate interplay of patriotism and warfare, to the dynamics of authority and abuse, and the delicate balance between freedom and the stark disparity between appearances and reality.
I decided to dedicate a project to exploring Marilyn Monroe's intricate relationship with photography, considering that her image has been one of the most extensively reproduced in pop culture.  My approach involved taking portraits of women transformed into the likeness of Marilyn Monroe, immersed in contemplative dreams about the iconic figure. Rather than seeking exact physical resemblances, I sought models who shared two key attributes: a passion for the pop-culture icon and a profound understanding of her vulnerability. In an effort to blur the line between dreams and reality and reflect her evidently tormented soul, I deliberately introduced a soft blur to these images. Just like the real Marilyn, the "Dreaming Marilyns" seem to slip away the closer you attempt to grasp them, echoing the elusive nature of Marilyn’s persona.
Also called "Ethnological Fashion Photography," this project aimed to capture the essence of indigenous tribes from Niger. My objective was to study the impact of photography on natives from various backgrounds, some of whom had minimal exposure, if any, to this medium.  The psychological dynamics between photographer and subject during a photo session was a central focus of my research.  Inspired by "La photographie négociée" (Negotiated Photography) to coin Michel Séméniako, I empowered subjects to control most aspects of the sessions, pose, attire, background... Clothing served as the main channel of interaction between the natives and myself.
Over nearly 4 years, I created a series of portraits to document the emotional and sociological relationship between children and guns in the USA.  This exploration of gun culture involved capturing portraits of children and teenagers across different states, each posing with their firearms—some real, some toys. This difference reflects whether they come from gun enthusiast families or households without such inclinations.  During the photo sessions, I always asked a simple question to the children: "What do you like about guns?" Their response accompany their respective portrait, providing insight into their perspectives.