Sylvain Darrigues : Under control

I try to reveal what usually stays unseen, each photograph is for me a way to strip things down until only what i think is essential remains.

Can you tell us about how you got started in photography?

As far back as I can remember, I’ve always loved taking pictures. I started around the age of fifteen with just my phone, the rise of smartphones made it so easy to explore.

My first real camera came later, after I saved the money I earned working in the vineyards back home in the south of France.

What was your passion driving you during your journey? Who or what prompted you to begin?

I think what drives me is a constant need to discover and to learn. Photography felt like a revelation because no shoot is ever the same, every client, every project carries a different story to tell.

What keeps me moving forward is that sense of growth, of still learning every day.

Collaboration is also essential, I like to involve the models, stylist, and makeup artist so the becomes a shared creation rather than something imposed. On set, I try to keep space for accidents, for what I didn’t plan, because often the most powerful images come from what escapes control.

As a photography expert, what sets your work apart from other photographers?

I don't know if i can call myself an expert but what sets my work apart, I think, is that I try to keep it very honest.

I’m not looking to impress, I just want to share the vision and emotion behind each project, so that after seeing a photograph, you carry that feeling with you.

Where do you get your ideas for photoshoots?

I draw a lot of inspiration from my own emotions and from what surrounds me in daily life, sometimes very ordinary things, sometimes more delicate aspects of today’s society. Japan and its incredibly rich culture also influence me deeply. It can really go from nothing to everything. I might start imagining a full editorial concept just by looking at a leaf on the ground. Maybe I’m a little crazy haha.

Can you tell us about the most memorable moment you've had as a photographer and what experience you gained from that?

One of my most meaningful moments was when a client started crying after seeing her portraits, telling me she never knew she could look that beautiful. That moment showed me how powerful photography can be, not just for me but for the others as well.

look at one of my photographs, then I know I’m on the right path.

How do you strike a balance between your artistic expression and your client's expectations during a shoot?

hmm, I always start by listening carefully to what the client wants i want to match their expectations as much as I can. But I also believe they come to me because of my style, so I try to bring that into the process as well. Fidn a space where both visions can meet. When that happens, the images feel honest and personal, and both the client and I can recognize ourselves in them. 😊

How do other artists influence your work? Are there any other photographers you look up to? Who?

I think every artist is influenced in some way by others, I admire photographers who dare to be raw, who don't try to please. One example is Cho Gi-Seok from Korea, I love how his portraits balance minimalism and symbolism, with just one simple element that can completely shift the emotion of the image.

How do you enhance your vision after a session by post-processing your photos? Do you have a best-kept secret for editing processing that you'd like to share?

During post processing i want to bring the image closer to what I felt when I took it.

If I have a secret, it’s patience ahah : I spend time with each image until it feels the emotion i want to share. The edit should disappear, so that only the emotion remains.

Can you tell us about the most difficult photographic challenge you've ever had, including lighting, unexpected situations, and how you managed the issues on set?

I remember in my early days, I was working with a terrible flash that suddenly broke in the middle of a session. I had to adapt quickly, using natural light and a small LED lamp I had bought from a well known website. In the end, we created some fantastic images, ones I probably would never have captured without that little accident. It taught me that photography is often less about control and more about adaptability, and that sometimes the unexpected can lead to the most authentic results, but still, always bring a second light ahah.

What are your top tips for aspiring photographers on skill development and finding their own creative voice? How did you develop yours?

I'm not used to give advices but if i had one it would be to stay curious, experiment a lot, and don’t be afraid of failure. Your voice comes with time, and the best progress are made with failure. For me, it developed by constantly shooting, learning, and paying attention to what truly moved me in an image.