Nowadays, most of the people still think size matters to get sensational results.

When we spot a guy with such big & heavy camera, with a huge & long lens, we think "oh, that guy must a such a great photographer". 

The truth is that a "big lens" is not equal to great images. Neither so-called professional gears don't make someone with no knowledge turn into an award-winner. As I won't win any F1 race because I'd be driving a Ferrari. 

My first lens was the classic "kit lens" 18-55mm on my Nikon D40.
Then I wanted something bigger. I invested into a 28-300mm. 
Then, as I switched to the full-fram Nikon D600, I invested into a 24-70mm, a 50mm & later a 35mm. 
As I left Nikon to Fuji xt-2 (cropped sensor), I used a 16-55mm & a 23mm. 

But let's speak about first things first, here is a reminder of the major roles lenses play: 

• Inside the lens, there is the diaphragm, which is the mechanism that makes a variable aperture to control the intensity of light that passes through the lens.

• Along with shutter speed, this is what controls the exposure received by the film or image sensor.

• A lens can be "zoom" or "prime". If there are 2 numbers to define the lens (16-55m for ex), you'll be able to zoom. If there is only one focal length, you'll have to walk :D!

• The aperture & the zoom settings will have consequences on the depth of field.

• The focus is made through the lens, either automatically or manually.

• The lens might have an integrated stabilisation system to avoid motion blur.

It took me quite a long time to find the lenses I love & which are part of my photography life now. 
I don't regret any choice I made, every step was an occasion to learn what I like, dislike & need. 

My photography changed when I began to use the 50mm (for full-frame - so for a cropped sensor, it'd be globally 35mm).
I had to walk. I had to move. I actually learn to go & get what I want. Walking makes me discover new places, meet new people & enjoy even more my photography experience. 

And I found out that I was putting much more intention into what I was photographing & at the same time, I was letting myself explore much more too. I just loved every aspect of using a 50mm lens. 

And I had to push a bit further composition & framing. To be honest, I think I actually learnt how to compose & frame. Using the grid on the screen, I worked in the rule of third or symmetry. I used the environment to frame my images. I just liked my work more & more, as I think my images were getting stronger.  

The great things about the 50mm lens:
- It's (quite) cheap, light & small
- It shows you the world without much distortion
- It very often has a very wide aperture, which makes it a luminous lens. 

Click here to read a great article about amazing photographers using specific lenses (and most of them are prime lenses). 

And here is a short guide about the purposes of lenses: 
8mm - 24mm: Ultra wide angle (fisheye): Wide panoramas & skyscapes, artistic
24mm - 35mm: Wide angle, Interiors, architecture, landscapes
35mm - 85mm (50mm common): Standard, General purpose
85mm - 135mm: Short telephoto, Portraits, candid
135mm - 300mm: Medium telephoto, Close sports, action
300mm+: Super telephoto, Far sports, wildlife, nature, astronomy

And here are the results of shooting the same subject with a wide range of lenses. See how the focal length has a huge impact! 

A few days ago, I was asked if I worked on my images before delivering them to my clients.

Because it shows curiosity & interest into my work & photography in general, I was pleased to receive this question. 

Here are other important reasons: 

• I think my clients deserve to know how the images they receive are created (if they want to!).

• In my opinion, post-production (or edition) is part of the creative process as actually taking the photo.

• Most of the people don't really know what to be a photographer nowadays can include.

• Many people misjudge & look down on post-production, as it'd be not real or unfair.

• Some people think retouching only came along with digital photography.

No baker will ever deliver an uncooked or even an undecorated cake. Neither a photographer will deliver raw images to his-her customers. They are just not finished, not ready & sometimes not even readable on a computer without a specific software. Giving raw images is at least as irrelevant as giving a undeveloped film. 

Behind the camera, I do my best to choose the right settings to create the image I want. This is part of my creativity: how I see a scene, how I decide to shoot it, the different angles I try, the different settings. All this leads me to create a unique image.

And it's only the beginning of the creative process.

On the computer, I finish the process, by adjusting the exposure, the contrast, the colors etc. We can say that I actually "develop" the image, with a software, called Lightroom. 

During this post-production, I will correct & beautify the images. Because depending on my own taste & style and what I want to enhance, I will either choose to edit the images to be as close as possible to reality, or in the opposite, to create for example a more dramatic or romantic atmosphere. Some also choose to remove disturbing objects, some won't. Some will choose to strengthen the colors, some will fade them. It's all about the style: from how we take the image to how we post-produce it. And that's actually one of the most important reason why one will choose this or that photographer: style! 

This "back-office" part of the job takes time. A lot of time. And a lot of knowledge & experience. Actually, for 1 hour taking pictures, photographers work 4-5 hours in the images, sometimes more. Some people don't understand the photography prices (seen as expensive), they only see the visible part of the work, just when we're actually taking pictures. 

Others would look down on post-production as they might think it denatures the real images. But when my clients pay for my services, they are paying for the best experience & the best images possible. And if the natural lights, for example, is not as good as we need, I'll correct it. And after all, what does "real images" mean? Real question as the camera doesn't always give me the exact copy of the reality as I see it. 

Last and not least info: photo edition existed before digital photography! Here are a few examples of Pablo Inirio, the master darkroom printer who works at Magnum Photos‘ New York headquarters (and here is the link to the full article about him & his work).

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For my part, I decided to show you a few "before-after" images of Istanbul. 

I hope you enjoy reading this article and I'll be happy to read your comments & answer your questions! Don't hesitate to share this article on social medias. 

To discover my work called "Istanbul through my eyes". 

Join my monthly newsletter, and follow me on FaceBook & Instagram. 

Have a lovely day! 

As an entrepreneur, your website is the result of a lot of work: your template, your texts, your logo, your graphic design were created very carefully, based on your target, your market, your position on the market & the image you want to give to your visitors. 

Especially if you're a service-provider, as an online-coach for example or any job for which "you" make the difference, you have to think about illustrating your website with your image, as a professional, as a part of your communication strategy. 

Most of the time, the only portraits we have are passport or holidays pictures. For the first ones, smiling is forbidden, we look 10 years older & sometimes like we just got out of prison (yes, even Anna Mouglalis...). So let's skip it. For the second one, even if you look amazing on your holidays pictures, let's keep them for social medias.

What you need is to look professional, reliable, welcoming. But what does that mean? Do you have to wear a dark suit, cross your arms, look straight at the camera & "tchic tchac" (yes, it's supposed to be the camera noise)?

No. Hopefully no. There is so much more than that. The images need to look genuinely like you, because your potential clients will first discover you & your offers online.

"You" is at least as important as the quality of your services.

Your offers are presented the best & most attracting way, right? So people will just think "oh, that's exactly what I need!!". Keep in mind that between 2 similar offers, the client will first go to the service provider giving him-her the best feeling. And this feeling is created by the visual identity you give thanks to the design of the website and above all, thanks to the images of yourself.

As your potential clients will only read your texts & look at the images, they will not hear your voice or your intonations, they will not feel your vibes. So you have to show them who you are, what you like, what is your environment, where you feel good to work.

Why? Because only then that person will be able to understand you & to project him-herself working with you. The person looking for an online service-provider is looking for a human being providing services, able to listen to him-her, to understand his-her issues, fears & expectations and to help him-her to improve his-her skills & to increase his-her courage & self-confidence. 

The right images will create:

- A strong confidence in you & your competencies => this is THE goal of your website, isn't it? 

- The impression of already knowing you => this balances the "online" aspect. 

- The will to know you more & to get in touch with you => that's what you want your visitors to do, right?

So how do we do? First, you need to put words on the image you want to give. You need to define yourself and the thoughts you want people to have on their minds when visiting your website, looking at your images. 

"Professional" of course, but what about: happy, open, modern, zen, nature-lover, organized, client-oriented, dynamic, sympathetic, motivating, reachable, efficient, authentic? 

That's why I offer special & custom-made services to entrepreneurs. The preparatory work is the key: it will allow me to find the right places for the photo session & to advise you the right outfits, poses & accessories.

Then, you'll have the right images, at the right place, sending the right message to your website visitors and they will want to work with you right away! 

I really love helping & creating your visual identity, consistent with who you are, your offers, your message & your customers. It's such an interesting balance between photography & communication strategy! 

Looking forward to beginning to work with you on your project!

Best,
Noémie 

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Yesterday, as every year, at the beginning of April, I went to Gülhane park, to photograph the tulips. They are absolutely gorgeous, so colourful, so intense, so delicate. 

But this year, I felt a bit bored. Not because of the flowers, but because it's my 5th festival and I felt I was not doing anything new.

And then I made a mistake. An exposure mistake. A huge mistake, the image was so over-exposed (you can discover the image below the article). But the result was amazing. I loved it. It looks like a painting. It looks fresh, soft, full of life. I'm even thinking about printing this image out and offer it to myself! To look at it every morning would definitely put me in a good mood!

Note about all my images: if you're looking for beautiful images of Istanbul to put yourself in a good mood every morning too, check out my online gallery here, all these images are available. For further info, get in touch with me directly here. 

So I decided to put intentions into what I was doing, and try something else than what I would usually do. I was becoming creative again! And that's exactly what I've been missing for the last months, being stuck at home and then super busy working on my photography business. 

Even though I'm not against the idea of overexposing my images again, I worked on almost the opposite: I tried to enhance the stunning colours thanks to the shadows. I loved to look for the "right" flower & for the "right" shadow" and of course the "right" light. Find the images below my "mistake". 

What do you think about the results? Let me know in the comment section! 

And if you like this article, don't hesitate it to share on social medias! 

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Until I was a young adult, a photo was a physical object, often placed in a photo album or pinned on a cork board, maybe even framed and hang in the wall. Sometimes, the photos would be kept inside the envelop given by the photo lab, put away inside a shoe box. I remember, as a kid, those precious moments when we would pick up a photo album from the shelf, and then, sitting on the couch, we would turn those thick pages and laugh about old-fashion poses / outfits / haircuts / decoration  - pick the one you prefer.

Then an unmaterial world became more and more important. Internet took a larger & larger place in our lives. And new ways of life, like travelling more, moving more during the day, created new needs & new habits. And new tools came up: smartphones & tablets, allowing us to be connected everywhere & 7/24.

By the time social medias trapped us, we found ourselves sharing photos & videos on a daily basis. And even though I say "photos", I mean digital files. And when I say "sharing", I mean posting on social medias, to whoever is connected at that moment. 

Back then, we had to have a camera. Now, we don't actually need one, as most of us own a Swiss-knife phone, this mix of a phone, a camera, an organiser, a directory, a timer and a compass (this is a non-exhaustive list).

Then, we were quite mindful about the photos we were creating as films were not cheap and we had only 24 or 36 poses/chances. Now, as long as our battery is still charged, we can shoot.

Then, we had to go to the photo lab, wait a few days and only then, we got our photos, protected in a special envelop, keeping both photos & films safe. Now, we press the button and we create 1 or 10 images, even videos, instantaneously. And they are kept inside our phone, maybe our computer or our "cloud".

Nowadays, photos are the victims of some kind of "image inflation": the more images we create, the less value they have because the process of creation is much more a reflex than a need: there is no real purpose behind those images. We just create them, we don't go much further. Like we'd keep thousands of undeveloped films. 

Were our photos better then than now? No :). But at least, they existed in real life, and their value comes from what they represent but also from that physical existence.

Yes, it's me. I'm so happy those pictures were taken. Little treasures to illustrate my childhood memories.

I know, people say that digital images will survive through time; that since digital ages, we always managed to save them, from one kind of support to another one. I really hope so and I will do my best to update my back-up supports. 

The extra-investment of time & money to print our images is not only a way of saving up our images from a hard-drive crash. It does one extra-thing: it adds value to our images. 

Small efforts for big results: 

- go through the thousands of images (8 551 right now for me...)

- delete the bad ones (it creates more free space to take more pictures ahahah)

- select the best ones (use the "favorite" heart-shape to select them)

- find websites or app to send our files too (I'm helping you on that!)

- order what we want and then wait for them to be delivered (it'll feel almost like Christmas!).

 What I think (I could almost say "What I feel") is that the experience of looking at an image on a screen can't be compared to the experience of seeing, touching (maybe cropping with scissors & sticking it on the wall with colored masking tape) a printed-out photo. Almost like having a conversation on skype with friends compared to sharing a coffee on a sunny terrace with them, you see? 

This is a gift we offer to ourselves, to our kids and the next generations: to be able to hold a photo in our hands & to remember -or discover- the past. 

Here are some websites & free phone applications you can print your images out from very easily:

Websites: PhotoBox, PhotoWeb (French), Foto.com, PosterXXL, SmartPhoto

Applications: Lalalab., Cheerz, Shutterfly, Free Prints, Print Studio and a special one for create postcards: InstaCards

Of course, on all those websites & apps, we can create photo albums too! So don't be shy, print your images out :D! 

Enjoy your prints & memories!! 

Cheers, 
Noémie

In Turkey, barber shops are quite an unique world: from hair, mustache & beard, to eyebrows & ears, nothing will be forgotten.

Compared to other places where men go, the barber shops are quiet. Of course, the TV might be on to catch up the latest football images, but there will be no much talking. 

Why is that? Well, they don't speak much because of the sharped razor blade on their cheeks and throat :D!

It's quite impressive but men say it feels very nice. I take their words for it! 

Meditation isn't part of my life. Not yet, at least. I bought many books, practiced a few times but meditation is still not part of my routine. 
Deep inside, I know that this special time I'll offer to myself will have a positive impact in my life. 

As you may know, meditation is about being "here & now", welcoming things the way they are, without judgment. A few days ago, I began to read "Practicing the power of Now" by Eckhart Tolle.

And an idea came to my mind: what if photography was one way of meditating?

At first, these 2 activities couldn't seem to be any further one from another: photography is about the outside world, meditation is about our deep inner self. Photography is creating our own images of the reality, meditation is looking at the reality as it is. 

But there are also a lot of commun points. Both require practice, disciple and dedication. Both seem simple but we know for sure it's not that easy.  

When I'm out there photographing the city, I'm on a certain state of mind. My brain knows that it's time to see the world in a special way. That's why it's easier for me to photograph alone, so my entire self is into photographing, and at the same time, wide-opened to whatever may come. 

I also consider photography as an healing activity: if I feel sad, I know that going out to photograph will help me getting better. 

Of course, the contemplation is a major part of photography: it's about looking at the world in a different way. I personally realized I have a thing for details, like a shadow on a petal, a drop on a leaf, a reflection on a puddle.

Photography is about being part of the world, being part of the world which exists only here and now. It's about capturing that moment, gone forever. And it's about not interfering with all this, being here and now and letting things be. 

There is also the "no expectation" aspect of photography: to be ready to welcome whatever happens, as any kind of thoughts or ideas during meditation. 

I also think that photography brings gratitude to my life. As I am photographing, my brain becomes some kind of a radar to find beauty, and I feel grateful for all the beautiful things (on the most global meaning) I can see and photograph. I'm also grateful to share the result of my work, to offer my view of the world to the world (well, almost ahah!). 

And it's like I'm becoming a kid again. Being amazed by the smallest detail, by the cute cat sleeping in a funny position, by the craftsman creating iron tools, by that ray of light which comes out of the clouds. It's about seeing the good & beautiful things, sharing them through my photographs and being thankful of my ability of doing so. 

What do you think about this? What about your own experience? I'd love to know, so please feel free to express your view! 

PS: The American photographer Bill Brandt wrote: "It is part of the photographer's job to see more intensely than most people do. He must have and keep in him something of the receptiveness of the child who looks at the world for the first time or of the traveler who enters a strange country. Most photographers would feel a certain embarrassment in admitting publicly that they carried within them a sense of wonder, yet without it they would not produce the work they do, whatever their particular field. It is the gift of seeing the life around them clearly and vividly, as something that is exciting in its own right. It is an innate gift, varying in intensity with the individual's temperament and environment."

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In August, I was very lucky to work with an amazing team, for a beautiful couple in a gorgeous place. Is this too much to describe my experience? Oh no. 

When Ko.Ka photography called me up and asked me if I'd like to join the team for a wedding in Istanbul, I was thrilled. Thrilled and scared! I love and admire their work, for photography as well as videography. So being part of this was like a dream becoming true. 

So I breathed deeply and jumped in. Actually, I passed the revolving door of one of the 5-star hotel in Istanbul and discovered the beauty of the lobby. And it was only the beginning of a magical day. 

Working with the Ko.Ka team felt natural and this was a great relief for me and I'm very thankful for their trust. I hope this collaboration will happen again. 

I also witnessed and captured a loooot of love and happiness, feeling welcome and comfortable with the bride and groom, their families and friends. 

And this made me happy. Yes, I'm just happy to be a photographer. Happily ever after. 

Being a photographer allows me to witness and photograph special family moments, emotional bridal preparations and smiling birthday kids. It allows me to create everlasting memories of my clients' happiest moments. That's the reason why I am a photographer, why I love my job and why I am proud of what I do. 

When Michael, a former photography student of mine, told me his wife Romina was pregnant, I was very happy for them, as I like them a lot. Then, Michael asked me to do maternity and newborn photo sessions, I was very glad to accept and thankful they trust me to capture those very important moments of their lives.

And he asked me if I could photograph the birth. I had been willing to capture this incredible moment for years so I was thrilled to accept. 

3 weeks ago, early morning, I got a message from Michael, saying they were on their way to the hospital. It was their first baby. It was my first experience as a birth photographer. First cry, first breath for their baby boy. 

Such an emotional moment. Such an unique feeling. Such an intense experience. 

I'm deeply grateful to Michael and Romina for their trust, allowing me to follow this so special time of their lives: creating images of her pregnancy, of their baby boy's birth and of his first days. 

So here is their story! 

I had the pleasure to photograph Leo's baby-shower and his first hours in our world. 

I love this idea of celebrating both motherhood and the baby-to-come with a baby-shower. It's a special moment for the mother-to-be to see her friends and family before giving birth.

Baby-showers are about pregnancy and giving life. It's about not knowing him but loving him so much already. It's about waiting for your life to change forever. It's about the magic of life. It's about unconditionnal love. 

And then he was born! On an early Monday morning. From a digital image from the ultrasound scan to the skin-to-skin moments. From daddy singing to mommy's belly to the first nursing moments. Here he is. Loved to the moon and back. 

Welcome Leo! 

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6 years ago, I came to Istanbul for the first time. And I don't remember walking on Galata bridge. Maybe I did but my mind was already full. Full of the beauty I could see around, of the seagulls screaming, of the taste of the apple tea I had been drinking, of all the fabrics I touched, of the spices I smelled. Because Istanbul is about your 5 senses being awake. 

Since I live in Istanbul (I moved here 3,5 years ago to live my dreamt life), I often cross that bridge. All year long, I see the fishermen focused on their fishing rods, I feel the vibrations of the bridge when a bus is passing, I feel the wind on my face, I hear the seagulls happy to see Istanbul from the sky, 

Walking on this almost 500m-long bridge is an experience. Not a clean, soft and quiet experience. A raw and noisy one. Friends, families, fishermen, cars, buses, tramways, seagulls... Life.

From that bridge, you can watch both sunrises and sunsets, you can look at both Pera and Sultanahmet areas & both the Golden horn and the Bosphorus. You can talk with the fishermen or with the restaurant workers (if you walk on the lower level of the bridge). On Saturdays afternoon, you need to slalom between the crowd. For sure, you'll never be alone on that bridge. Rain & snow won't stop some courageous fishermen to spend their time here.

I just love that bridge. Here are my latest images of this place (taken during a photo lesson I gave a few days ago). 

Enjoy :). 

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As you may know, tulips are special in Turkey. So special they have their own festival in Istanbul. Every year, during the month of April, all the parks and actually almost all the green areas, welcome thousands of colourful tulips. 

Tulips aren't from Holland but from the Ottoman empire (for the French-speakers, here is a nice article about the origins of the Tulips). Tulips are the Turkish national flower and to some extent, the symbol of Turkey. You can find tulip shapes on a lot of fabrics (bed covers, scarves etc) and some say the shape of the traditional Turkish tea glass comes from the tulip shape. 

As a personal tradition, I went to Gülhane park to photograph those beautiful flowers. I love the softness of the petals and their transparency. I love their colours and shapes. And I'm very impressed by the work done by all those gardeners who not only plant the flowers but also take off the broken or damaged ones during one month. 

Enjoy those incredible colors :)! 

** If you'd like to purchase one (or more!) of my images, check out my work here and for more information, get in touch with me here.  

** To book me for a private event or a portrait session, contact me.

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