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Laurence Philomène Olivier is a 16 year old photographer from Montreal, Canada, and she was the first one I featured on Recordis. Don’t forget to visit her flickr and tumblr blog.

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How are you, Laurence?

I am fine now, even though I’ve been sick (swine flu) these past 10 days. But I’m getting better, and as you might know, I’ve been working on a book and it’s almost finished now! I’m really proud of myself.

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You should be proud! How old are you? 16?

I saw a little preview of your book on tumblr/flickr and it looks beautiful. So, what are we going to see in your book? Any surprises?

Thanks! I am 16, indeed. The book is basically a summary of my year, in pictures. It’s definitely not perfect, but it’s very representative of who I am. It also includes some of my photography projects such as the «5 AM» series and the «Bandages» series. The lovely Lauren wrote texts for the book, and I couldn’t have described my photographs than she did. It’s personal but accessible at the same time.

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Sounds great, can’t wait to have a copy.

Tell me a little about you. When did you start becoming interested in photography? Do you plan studying photography?

I’ve always been interested in photography, as far as I recall. My parents gave me my first camera when I was 5 years old. I would take photos of everything, all the time. I got my first digital camera for my 12th birthday, but when it broke, two years later, I started using my father’s DLSR, a Nikon D80. That’s when I made a Flickr account. I’ve been taking photos almost every day since then. I realized that I wanted to be a photographer last year though, so I’d say I’ve been serious about it for a little bit more than a year. I do plan on studying photography at Dawson College, here in Montreal. After that, we’ll see! I would love to work as a freelance photographer in Europe.

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Do you think flickr/internet had anything to do with your decision of becoming a photographer?

Yes and no. Taking photo is a very personal thing for me, and I would be doing it anyway if flickr/internet didn’t exist. However, the flickr community really did encourage me and helped me realize that this is what I want to do. The people I «met» on the internet definitely changed the way I see things in general, and I will always be grateful that they were a part of my life.

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I see. Having a camera since you are five (Mozart style) probably makes you feel photography in a different way.

About your photos now. You seem to take a lot of photos of your friends. How does that work? You call them every time you have an idea? Do you do a lot of setup for every shoot?

Ahah actually, yes, I call them every time I have an idea. I usually have more elaborate set-ups when I’m shooting self portraits, I guess it’s because I don’t feel really comfortable working with complicated set-ups when I have friends around. I also always feel that I have a lot more pressure when I’m shooting other people ; I don’t want them to get bored or to hate me, etc. I need to work on that.

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haha, I love your friend photos, specially the ones with Marie-Jeanne (the ’sparkles’, ‘vines’ and ‘bandages’ series, all amazing). Where do you get the inspiration from for your photo shoots?

Have you ever been called for an assignment or something that wasn’t your idea?

Thank you : ) I get the inspiration everywhere. Sometimes it’s just the way the light hits an object, sometimes it’s a dress someone is wearing on the street. Ryan Mcginley said «Everything in my photographs happens but it happens because I make it happen». That is exactly what my photos are. They are my dreamed life. I’ve never been called for an assignment, but if I did, I would love to have a shoot with huge props and really flashy colors.

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Thank you Laurence!

Would you like to answer some questions sent by our readers?

Yes of course! : )

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Nicole asks, other than photography, what else do you see doing in your life?

Well this is my last year of secondary school (the equivalent of high school in Quebec) so I’m really, really busy with schoolwork. Other than that, I LOVE to cook/bake. I also love to read and to write. And during the summer, I rollerskate a lot (seriously… ).

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Awesome. Final question now.

Jujugrim asked, film or digital?

That’s a really tough question. I’d say film. I love digital because it’s so easy and you can take as many shots as you want, but you just can’t recreate the feeling of film photography. Film photos have a magical quality to them, like you’ve really captured a moment, and it’s there, in your hands. You just can’t beat that.

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A million thanks to Laurence for answering all of my questions.

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16 Comments

1. Paige:
   

   Laurence is a lovely photographer

2. Constanza Herrera:
   

   buenisima entrevista!!

3. Nuno:
   

   good read.

4. Amy K:
   

   Seriously lovely. Great find!

5. BAVAVA:
   

   the film its so fantasy. i like it so much . most its b/W film .
   could you tell me how you make the lighting in the middle ? the yellow line .

6. Montse:
   

   This is awesome!!! Thank you for posting this

7. mo:
   

   thank you for interviewing such a talented person, Laurence is lovely : )

8. christian stoll:
   

   dear laurence,

   i accidentally found some of your shots on the internet today. i have to say that i’m really impressed.

   i am a 47 years old free lance photographer,working for worldwide advertising campaigns,mostly for ad agencies that are based in new-york. i get represented by a photographer’s rep in new-york,paris and hamburg/germany, my work was featured in the book “200 best photographers worldwide”,published by luerzer’s archive.
   i’m working on a very high level in the field of professional advertising photography.
   it is totally against my nature to act up, however i have to mention the above just to make clear that there is more than 20 years of experience and some competence behind the advice i’d like to give you.

   i think that 95% of all photos that i see on the internet are mediocre, and i have never written a comment or email to any photo community website.
   this time it’s different.

   bearing in mind that you’re 16 years old, your work is VERY impressing and i know there is an enormous potential for a big career in print photography or online-video.
   this is what you should do:

   - just keep on doing what you’re doing…..taking pictures the way you like it.try to develop your own language in
   photography.
   - try to see as much fine-art photography,high-end fashion editorial photography and art books as possible.
   get inspired by it and make something out of it you like. do it your way.
   - do all this intensely and put together a portfolio of your work end of next year.
   - then send your portfolio to high-end photographer’s representatives agencies in new-york,london ,paris,etc.
   - mention that you’re only 17 years old, i’m sure they will keep an eye on you.
   - keep on working on your photos for another 3 years,then contact the reps again and i’m sure
   you will get a first class contract.
   - only contact the leading photographer’s representatives. you have great talent,you are young, you have all all the time in the
   world to wait for the right time/right place – so don’t compromise.
   over the past 20 years, i have seen lots of upcoming talents, but just a few of them have made a career,most of them were almost twice your age when they started.
   i’ve seen many many portfolios of photo assistants and upcoming photographers. your work is brilliant,and the fact that you’re
   16 years old makes it mind blowing.
   - don’t give away your talent for a couple hundred dollars.
   photo communities are ok, but stay away from the big stock photo agencies. they make loads of money, but they only give
   pennies to the photographers. i know these microstock agencies are popular among people of your age and $500 for
   a photo is a lot of money for a student – but believe me, your shots are worth a lot more and i’m sure they will sell well in
   advertising, so try to get a fair deal with a sincere photo rep.
   - in case you need money for future photo projects : show this email to your parents. they should support you.

   good luck,keep on,
   c.

9. Laurence:
   

   Wow, thank you so much, seriously!

   and thanks again Sabino

10. Stéphane Halmai-Voisard:
    

    J’adore tes photos! Tu es mon fond d’écran présent!

    Bonne continuation et j’espère voir ton travail
    ailleurs dans le futur.

    — Rita

11. Hot Girls Pictures, 16 year old girl from Montreal:
    

    [...] You can reed an interview with Laurence here [...]

12. Pixiome:
    

    PING : http://www.pixiome.fr/2009/11/laurence-philomene/

13. Savannah Spirit:
    

    Hi Laurence,

    I have to agree 100% with all the things that Christian pointed out. This is advice is stellar.
    I came upon your shots through notcot.org. Blew me away!

    Currently I run an emerging artist website called veaux.org http://veaux.org and would LOVE you to sign up. I also have a blog called thehungryartist on tumblr and I posted your work. http://thehungryartist.tumblr.com/

    I’m a true fan. You have an unbelievable gift at such a young age and I also am inspired by your gusto to just publish your own book. You have great motivation and drive.

    Would love to see much more of your work!! Feel free to contact me at thehungryartist100@gmail.com

    Take care and keep up the amazing work!

    Best,
    Savannah Spirit
    (NY, NY)

14. Laurence Philomene ///16 ans / Photographe:
    

    [...] out this great interview of Laurence, on recordisphotography shes only 16 but she’s got a clear talent for photography.  Visit her Flickr and Tumblr [...]

15. Laurence Philomène Olivier | Pianocktail:
    

    [...] hei kennt der zum Beispill nach e puer Fotoe fannen. Op Recordis Photography hun ech och ee klengen Interview mam Laurence fonnt deen der vlaicht interessant fannt. Et sollt ee vill mei oft sou schéin Fotoen [...]

16. Rajesh Pancholi:
    

    You’ve got a good future ahead of you and the only advice I would like to give is keep your eyes/ears and mind open. I wish you the best with the good things that await you.

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