Raphaële Tolron, our photographer of the month, has a beautiful, artistic eye. Whether she's capturing landscapes that lead us to dreaming or looking deeply inside someone's eyes, she brings much to a photo. Raphaële simplifies the essence of what she sees, and beautifully conveys that to the viewer. She takes us to places and people near and far, and makes them extraordinarily vibrant. We want to meet the people she sees, travel to the places she shares. That is Raphaële's specialty - take a look...

How did you get interested in photography?
I picked it up from my father, who used to do a lot of photography when I was a child. I can still remember how good I felt everytime he would hand me his camera. Then my interest grew alongside the freedom I felt while taking photos - my own little world that I could reach through the lens.

How long have you been a photographer?
I’ve been taking photos for as long as I can remember, but it took me up until 5 years ago to take it more seriously and bring it to a professional level.

What is your favorite place or thing to photograph?
People - I would say people. I am fascinated with my peers, really. There are so many things you can learn, so much joy you can reach just by sitting down with a stranger and listening. What drives me is a search for connectedness. Throughout the years, the importance of transmission has stood out as a matter I deeply care about, particularely knowledge coming from Native peoples all around the world (same goes with connection between generations). I do hope to see my work - and more generally speaking, my life - heading closer to this field.  

How can photographers be a part of change in the world?
Photography is a beautiful invitation to discover who you are; it can both echo and sublimate you. It opens up communication with yourself, which is, in my opinion, one of the keys to change. It might sound a bit simple, but I do think the more you know yourself, the more at ease with the world you are, therefore the more impact and positive of a change you can provoke around you. Photographers can be of great help with that, meeting yourself through someone else’s eyes can be a powerful experience if you allow it to be, for the both of you.

Do you have any trips planned for the future, and if so, what are you looking forward to?
I’m working on a possible project on King Island (Tasmania) at the moment. People there have developed a strong sense of community and volunteering that I would love to explore and share.

Any photography tips you want to share?
I am not sure if it is a tip, more like an invitation, maybe. Here it goes: Instead of simply seeing the beauty around you, try and « feel » it. Sounds odd, I know, but the way we see what surounds us usually depends on the mood we’re in. For instance, an individual (even a landscape) can appear differently to us whether we feel sad or joyful while looking at him. « Feeling » the beauty on the other hand, connects you more directly to its essence, to your own joy, to your creativity. It’s helped me getting closer to my creative side anyway, but everyone’s different and that’s the beauty of it.

Find Raphaële online at:
www.raphaeletolron.com
https://www.facebook.com/raphaeletolronphotographie/
https://www.instagram.com/raphaele_tlrn/

Photographer Raphaële Tolron