LA MER

When I left Paris to spend a few days close to the ocean I intended to bring a camera with me. Once in the train I realized I had forgotten it; I was upset for a minute but then I decided it had probably happened for a reason -maybe I needed a real break. The next day, I swam in the waves for the first time after months out of the water, and the colors forced me to buy a disposable aquatic camera.

PARIS - TEHRAN

It's the exciting feeling of freedom that I get when I walk around that makes me want to photograph my city. I wish it was shared worldwide by people who love to walk around for no specific reason. This blog has never been political (at least not in the classical sense of the word) but today it would be impossible for me not to mention Iran. To those of you who read me from there (I know!), I wish I could send you a bubble of peace, flying freely, changing shape, shining over the city. To my parisian friends, let's support them.

L'ÉTÉ

This is Louise holding her glass in Montmartre; the trees close to the river, my window. I keep photographing fragile things (not the tree itslef, but the wind and the sun in it; not the people but a certain moment of youth and energy). And the roots... like mine, in the water. In the last few days I had a cold and was feeling quite good except for my voice that faded and broke. It was good to be fully aware of it everytime I spoke, quite a lesson.

ADEL

What is the best thing you did today?
Use my braincells to answer these questions

What is the best thing you'll do tomorrow?
Cook a delicious meal for myself (that's my hidden talent)

What are you responsible for?
Bringing out the best in people I love and treasure

Where/who do you come from?
I'm a child of globalisation

What is style?
People who do not know how to appreciate do not have style. This statement is very ambiguous, understand it as you want

What affects you?
Intelligence

Where are you going?
Hopefully, to heaven.

OPERA GARNIER

I wonder when I will decide to seriously photograph dancers. I guess it's too important for me to do it right now; maybe I need to feel more secure about certain things first. To me dancing is like playing in the waves or making music or walking through life: it's about rythm, style, and balance.

MARIE

I "found" Marie in the metro a few weeks ago. As she was talking on the phone when she got out of the train, I just held my card out to her and ran back inside just before the doors closed. (Of course I added the little "let me photograph you please" note on it). I was lucky since she texted me the same day. She made me realize again how unique the moments I share with the people who decide to trust me are. Where and when could I talk and listen to, walk around, observe total strangers, trying to make them feel comfortable, sometimes directing them at some point, for one hour or two, if it wasn't for these photo sessions? I always wonder if they know how honored I feel, and shy, and how much I want them to recognize themselves in the final images -whatever that means. I've decided to ask a few questions to the people I meet in the street and post their answers here now.

What is the best thing you did today?
Having the best hug ever, a meaningful one, beautiful and sad, strong and tender.

What is the best thing you'll do tomorrow?
I don't know what tomorrow will be... and whatever will be, will be... I just hope life will be nice and bright for me and let me follow the path I'd like to follow so bad.

What are you responsible for?
I'd like to be responsible for my planet, but I'm not sure I can do that alone... I think I'm really responsible for the people who are part of my life, responsible for their happiness and joy.

Where/who do you come from?
I've got a very strange family, and my origins are kind of blurred. So I come from nowhere, I just know who are my parents and grandparents and I'm pretty happy with that. I know I come from a mix of cultures... Gipsies, vikings, people who like to travel the world...

What is style?
Style is appearence... But mostly I think it's feeling at ease with oneself. Sometimes I feel stylish with sportswear and trainers, sometimes I have to wear high heels and a little dress... I feel stylish when my appearence fits my mood; it's a question of mood and knowing how to express it.

What affects you?
People, arts and movies.

Where are you going?
Honestly, I don't know exactly... I know who I am and who I would like to be, but I really don't know where I am going... Sometimes the horizon seems very bright and light, sometimes it's much darker. I think that's what life is, a perpetual surprise... "And after all, tomorrow is another day..."

ADEL

I met Adel at the Parsons Show a couple of weeks ago. I noticed him quickly and asked him if he would want to shoot with me someday. We went to Montmartre to work (I decided to get away from the river for once). Adel's mother is from Russia and his father is Syrian; he grew up in Dubai, and is now studying in Paris. That says a lot about him and nothing at the same time; Adel is (truely) easygoing, honest, and patient.
Also, last week some of my images were featured in the Mood Wrestling blog, which made me happy and proud. I like the project ("free photography") and the images there; thank you Charles!