Interview with Jérémy Lafleur | An Award-Winning Photographer from France with over 15 Years of Experience

I studied photography in a specialized school in Paris, but I would say I learned the most in the field.

I remember it like it was yesterday. My parents gave me my first SLR camera and I went to use it for the first time at Beauvais Cathedral, France, accompanied by my grandparents. However, this did not result in any memorable photos sadly.

Today I have two Canon 5D Mark IIs, a 400mm f2.8, a 70-200mm f2.8, a 24-105mm f4, and a 14mm f2.8.

There is no one in particular, all the people who admire my work in publications, on the internet, or during exhibitions touched me.

I like beauty and science fiction. Bringing the imagination into my photos is a constant goal, even if it is more complicated in sports photography.

Soft, Beautiful, and Poetic.

It is a great honor to be awarded in two different categories. My images are very different (sporty and animal), but this shows that we can choose not to confine ourselves to a single universe.

The photo of the catfish stuck with me and allowed me to win numerous awards. This is a photo I took when I was young, but it is one of a kind. I am not a wildlife photographer, but this species photographed in this way has, I believe, never been made. It always inspired me a lot because I love the Japanese style, like a print.

I would say that this is just one step among many, not an end in itself. I have already had the chance to take several photos that I dreamed of (I am also thinking of the one in the Anfield Kop, in Liverpool). Winning prizes allows me to move forward, to dream again, and to share my artistic vision more.

This is probably the most complicated question because there are so many. I would say Vincent Munier, Michel d'Oultremont, and David Yarrow.

I will always remember my black and white film lab teacher who constantly reminded us of the importance of building a network. He was absolutely right.

I would advise never giving up, despite the storms. The artistic flame flickers and there are difficult moments, made up of doubts and hard knocks. But when the passion is there, the flame is constantly rekindled.

There is no secret, you have to work. In photography, you have to practice and try things that can surprise you, to stand out a little in a world overwhelmed with incredible images.

If I understand the question correctly, I would say that you have to know how to progress with time, but not too quickly.