In the spring of 2024, I had the pleasure of meeting Chloé Chidiac de Missolz, founder of the Salahin gallery. Together, we collaborated on the creation of an exhibition of photographers from the United Arab Emirates for the summer edition of the Salon des Beaux Arts 2024.
Following this successful collaboration, which opens the way to future projects, Chloé asked me to take some portraits of her.
Gentleness and determination
So I went to meet her, equipped with my digital medium format and a single lamp. The image I have of Chloé is that of a woman full of confidence and strong convictions. This feeling is all the more marked because Chloé, no matter the situation, is always impeccably dressed.
My goal was therefore to transcribe as best as possible the image that I perceived of her.
We set up our set-up directly in the living room. Rather than opting for a sophisticated staging, we opted for a traditional staging with three-quarter face lighting.
The Lo Kee Touch
Chloe is one of those people who is comfortable in front of the lens. So after a few more traditional shots, I wanted to give a little more personality to this session. I like to incorporate elements of the decor into my compositions.
This is how, in some shots, the lamp used for lighting itself becomes an element of the scene. The result then moves away from the corporate portrait, flirting more with the aesthetics of fashion photography.
One of my favorite images from the session is the one where Chloé takes a micro-break. Head down, eyes closed, hands clasped, she seems to escape for a few moments. I captured this intimate scene by integrating elements of the decor: the fireplace, the corner of a poster, and in the mirror, the reflection of the lamp that lights up the whole.
Revealing humanity
This photo probably doesn't correspond to a portrait she would choose for her professional communication, but for me, it captures a deeply human, authentic and sincere moment.
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