the concept and myself

Born in 1974, I’m an amateur photographer since the 2000’s and I'm based in Arlon where I have a studio.  I want to reiterate that this is my hobby.

Smile Collector?

Few years ago, I spent a lot time in Brussels Motor Show shooting hostesses (but no car).  It last more than 10 years and I was well recognised.  At that time, I was often explaining that I’m collecting smiles and I guess it was almost this sentence which was recognised…

Advised by a lovely hostess, on 11 January 2004, I took the decision to open my first website under the name of “Smile Collector”.  Which was done few days later…

But why this strange name?  Well! Few days before, there was The Bone Collector [[1]] on TV and…  no relationship whatsoever, only based on the title, this genial idea was born.

You have for ever and day a special place in my heart because I strongly believe that I’m humbly where I am also due to this name.

Having a deeper look today on internet, you can notice that I’m not the only one making such collection – fare enough! I don’ f*** care!

Let the music play!

I learnt photos by myself making first a lot of pictures during concerts.  My first victim was the exceptional Jennifer Scavuzzo – victim because my pictures was honestly speakingawful! (I hope they are better now)

I loved to shoot some bands in small (concert) hall.  I remember for instance, this concert by Alice s’émerveille in a small church somewhere in France.  No one knows her and they all greet me sure that I can’t come from outside of the communauté de communes (French for community of communes) – I remember also this guy with huge hands tapping beat with a great joy but no sense of rhythm.

But I did also some biggest concert halls and festivals like for instance Brian Adams during a Tall Ship Race in Aarhus.

Broken my website, I lost most of these pictures but I wish to find them anew and show them to you later.

Secondly: portraits

For professional reasons, having not enough time, I was a bit obliged to shoot less concerts and I so started to make some portraits.  It was around 2011 but I really start in 2014…  Of course, I never completely stop concerts.

Portraits was more different than expected and I so decided to have some trainings especially with the wonderful Stephan Deneuvelaere and also via the “school” je veux être photographe (French for I want to be a photographer).  In their defence, it’s quite difficult for me to apply what I learnt but I don’t give up.

…and the studio

Of course, the first times was in parklands, forest or gardens but my beloved parents allow me to have a small but nice photo studio in December 2016.

Remember Manon and Gina, you were the first to come.

But what about dance?

In addition to portraits, you probably know that I have too a particular fondness for dance’s pictures.

Why? Because I guess that dance is the better way to show movement, breath, wind, music and so many expression…  to show simply life!

Manon and Fanny was the keys during the 2011 edition of the Mai’li Mai’lo [[2]] - I had literally a crush for them!  I admired before dancers on TV but from this specific day, dance photos will be one of my mainstay.

Since this moment, I discover the fabulous work of Luis Pons, a New-Yorker photographer, where simplicity is just brilliant!

Humm

This is where I am now but what about tomorrow and the day after?

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[1] (photo opposite) Excellent thriller dated of 1999 with Angelina Jolie and Denzel Washington  [retour]

[2] Even if I clearly remember too that I met the same weekend Anne, Estelle, Anne-Lise, Clementine, Megan and so many people   [retour]