MY LACK OF CONFIDENCE AND TRAUMAS.
Romain Laurent Portrait Fine Art Photographer, he worked in the coffee industry for 7 years, but he never stopped believing in photography, a small interview where he talks to us about him and his passion in his new home/studio.
TELL US ABOUT YOURSELF.
My Name is Romain Laurent and I am a Portrait and Fine art photographer. After having lived in Edinburgh for five years and Amsterdam for more than two years, I have settled in Maastricht where I am opening a home studio. I have worked and developed in the coffee industry for the last 7 years but my focus has now shifted to photography, primarily Fine art photography. My fine art work is very self focussed, I place myself in front of the lens, confronting my personal issues, my lack of confidence and traumas. Photography is giving me a way to express myself artistically and I hope to inspire others to let themselves be vulnerable and experience their own emotions which in all honesty is still a complicated matter for me to face. Next to my fine art work, I am developing my portrait business where I am hoping to offer a powerful, beautiful and exciting experience to clients.
DESCRIBE YOUR PASSION IN 3 WORDS.
I LOVE IT
WHAT DO YOU THINK WHEN YOU SHOOT?
It is really interesting, I think that I am very much in the moment when I photograph. I tend to go quiet and slowly take in what I am seeing and find ways to represent it the best way I can. If I am photographing someone, I’ll try to make sure I keep contact with that person so that they feel guided and comfortable.
YOUR APARTMENT REFLECT YOU?
Now that me and my partner live on our own in a beautiful space, we’ve been able to decorate and furnish it in a way that reflects both of us. You will find shelves and shelves of books from old literature to art books. A lot of my work is printed and framed on the walls, It makes me so happy to see my work physically and be able to look at it on paper rather than on a screen. We also both love second hand and vintage furniture, it gives our space an almost old country side vibe which I love and of course, plants everywhere!
YOUR FAVORITE OBJECT?
I think my favourite object would be my first camera. It is the Fujifilm X-PRO1, it is such a beautiful compact camera, I carry it everywhere I go, everywhere I travel. I use it a lot for my personal visual diary, it keeps me inspired and with it I document my life and souvenirs. This camera also gave me the passion for photography and allowed me to find my artistic voice. Even though it is not the best camera that I own but it holds a lot of memories, I can't stop using it.
WHAT INSPIRE YOU?
I would say that vulnerability and nudity inspires me a lot for my fine art work.Otherwise, I often look up to two photographers, Irving Penn and Anne Brigman. Their stories and skills are very inspiring to me.