7AM / 7PM

During the five years I photographed the same people for Au coin de ma rue,  I realised everyone became more used to posing. Because of social media, the increasing number of cameras in daily life, selfies… people have a better knowledge of their image. When I was asking them 5 years ago to pose for me in the street, there was a shy look, they were trying to hide behind their bag or something. Now this innocence is fading away.

But I am searching for this vulnerability…  I don’t want the controlled perfect image. Therefore, I need to place them in a more vulnerable position.

So the fourth year of Au coin de ma rue, I decided to make a picture at 7AM. The only moment of the day when a person doesn’t have any shield, is the moment a person opens his eyes for the first time. I always adored this “fighting” moment when our conscious gets out of the irreality of dreams to face reality. Just the moment before the world hurts us.

Entering their place like a burglar to wake them up was kind of special and for me (who doesn’t even dare stealing a piece of gum) quite an experience. Now, it’s like we are bonded forever by this early wake up call.

All of the experiences at their place or in my apartment have been great. The amazing small thing I realised is that I thought I would have 20 min to shoot the expression of a person waking up, but actually no, the glaze in the eyes of a person disappears in 5 min…

 

Behind my camera I could really see in a matter of seconds that the person was taking control of his face and body. The vulnerable human being was gone.