"By changing my perspectives from rather being in the role of the observer, to acting through my own body, I find a lot of harmony and release which then leads to new inspiration."
Artist: Celine Paradis
Nicolas Blanchadell : How did your creative journey feel like to get where you are today? How do you see it evolving in the future?
Celine Paradis : I was always very curious about telling stories. In my early teenage years I started with some analog pocket cameras, my friends and clothing from our local flea markets and tumblr. I am deeply grateful to where I am today and feel very fortunate to be that lucky to bring my vision into reality, working together with great people and clients I feel aligned with. Everything evolved very organically in the past years I have to say. Projecting into the future I am planning to discover even more parts of myself and how I see the world. I would love to work on an exhibition and a photobook in the near future.
NB : What are you looking for when taking someone’s photograph? Are you looking for the same thing in yourself when working with self-portrait?
CP : I guess I am always looking for some sort of fragility and softness in what and whom I capture. I like open doors and real people and I love to observe my surroundings. I tend to always create stories and characters within my frame.
I would definitely say that I am trying to see all the layers of myself by being open and soft, but I very much like to play with characters displayed through myself too. It’s a lot of fun!
NB : How does your creative process look like when working on personal projects? Are there topics that you are more sensitive to?
CP : I like to get inspiration by other current sorts of art I am diving in, whether it be film or visual art and books. I mostly shoot on film or older cameras and do have a nostalgic air for the past, philosophical topics, coming of age and our bodies.
NB : Is there a personal project that feels more meaningful to you ?
CP : These questions are always hard for me, but I would say my most meaningful projects currently are my self portrait series and acting projects. I feel like I am always getting a step closer to knowing myself and unfolding my inner universe which is very healing in a way.
NB : You are a photographer also exploring other mediums. Do you find a connection between them or do they come with very different meanings?
CP : I like exploring expression through other mediums and foremost have been writing poetry as a means to express momentary thoughts and feelings, processing life and expansion. I would definitely say that everything is connected in a way, even though the approach and topics may not be the same in the different media I use, but it’s always myself going to these stages of creation and observation. So coming back to the source, it all starts and comes from within myself and the questions, topics, emotions and people that are moving me.
NB : As a photographer working in fashion, how do you balance professional and personal work?
CP : Being transparent, I find it very hard sometimes. There are times where I have weeks without touching my cameras at all outside of work.. That might be a reason why I use other media in my process too. Whenever I feel like I am stuck in a creative loop or I don’t connect with the camera, I come back to writing and acting. By changing my perspectives from rather being in the role of the observer, to acting through my own body, I find a lot of harmony and release which then leads to new inspiration.
NB : We are trying to promote ‘Slow Photography’, a slower and more mindful approach to creation. How do you relate to this idea?
CP : I feel like things are very fast-paced nowadays, which can be very hard on me too. I often get frustrated with the endless “recreation and production” of creative content that is contemporary out there nowadays.. and for what? Just for the sake of keeping up with the rhythm of certain industries I guess. I decided some time ago to set regular periods of “time outs” in nature, to be able to disconnect and recharge. No screen time, cooking, energy work and good books are my essentials! I appreciate Magazines approaching a biannual print and to be fair, good things take time. It’s easy to rush through things on a superficial basis but going into depth is taking things to a whole other level.
© Celine Paradis