LA FORET

I am not sure why it is so fascinating for me to photograph people in the forest. Probably has to do with the pleasure of finding such an absolute feeling of peace in the middle of the graphic chaos of the trees...

COMARUGA

My grandfather had an old, small sailboat for years in Spain. One very windy day my brother insisted to go for a ride (I wasn't there); they broke the boat after only a few minutes on the water and it sank. I was a little upset at my brother for a minute but then was just relieved they were ok, and the whole story made me laugh. Months after I saw my brother in the Tuileries in Paris; he asked me to close my eyes and made me smell something. Even in the middle of Paris winter, I recognized the smell of the boat in a second -he had kept a piece of sail for me, which was the coolest present.

1 & 20

Coincidences are interesting. On the same week-end, I can jump from a bridge (and face deep, instinctive terrors), realize that I need to make my photography evolve again (going from one phase to the next one), and (try to) look for balanced relationships through compassion instead of anger. I guess fear is really at the center of all these elements and circumstances, making me holding on to old habits. But it's summertime, and I want to be young enough to let go of them.

LES VAGUES

I was 15 when I started surfing. It is one of the most beautiful (and violent, difficult, frustrating) things I have ever done. I remember that I had an instructor who once told us: when you paddle out to a safer zone (behind the waves), it's just like in real life. If a bigger wave suddenly rises in front of you, you can decide to give up because you're tired; dive, be shaken and dragged 10 meters back -and start all over again. And that's fine. Or you can find the resources to paddle harder for a few seconds, even if you shoulders are already painful. That last effort can take you to a safe zone; you'll fly over the wave feeling weightless, and hear it break right behind you... until the next one.

DAZED&CONFUSED

The great Mood Wrestling blog (featuring the work of super talented young photographers, and some of my images) is finalist for the Dazed Raw Blog Awards! The public vote period started, so my dear readers that'd be amazing if you could cast your votes here (before August 31)! The winner of each category will be featured in the Dazed October issue. Thanks!

MONTMARTRE PIGALLE

Summer in Paris, and there is always something new to discover in the streets...One of my favorite things in the city is to ride a bike all the way down the hill, from Montmartre to Chatelet (at night). Slow enough to notice faces and corners; fast enough to feel light and protected. It's like being almost invisible and traveling through a movie -reminds me of 6th street in San Francisco.