Interview with Stéphane VALOTTEAU, photographer based in Lyon.
Written by Vincent Kem
As a photographer, I have to meet a lot of new people from different backgrounds, often people I have to photograph, but also colleagues.
I really enjoy talking to other professional photographers, partly because everyone is different and their working methodologies can be as well, but mainly because it is important for a professional photographer not to sit comfortably in his seat.
Exchanging with others, when you are a freelance photographer, allows you to get out of your isolation, to know the trends in order to stay up to date, both artistically and technically, and sometimes to get off the beaten track to try new things.
During a trade show in September, I met Stéphane Valotteau, photographer in Lyon (I am also a wedding photographer in Nice, Cannes, Monaco, Saint-Tropez and Cagnes-sur-Mer). Very friendly, we exchanged a lot on our different practices and our way of relating with our customers. I found his approach interesting, and as many people have already asked me why and how I became a professional photographer, here is another example of a journey I want to share, a self-taught journey.
Focus on Stéphane Valotteau, his path to become a photographer with a specialization: Lifestyle photography.
Stéphane, how did you get into professional photography ?
From a young age until I became a professional photographer in Lyon, my work as a photographer has evolved.
As a child, my parents gave me a camera, a silver camera, with a roll film that was then developed in the laboratory, and a cube-shaped flash.
I think the product inside was generating light when it exploded, by the way I had fun a few times with this camera just to trigger the flash light but you won’t tell my parents!
I became a wedding photographer in Lyon, but before that, I had to train myself, and do a lot of different images and find my specialty.
How did you learn the basics of digital photography in Lyon?
I tried my hand at concert photography, being myself at one time a musician in Lyon, and so I had the chance to rub shoulders with musicians, participate in concerts, and even take photos of craftsmen like a photo report on a violin making workshop.
I had a Canon 400D, and you couldn’t go above 800 isos otherwise the image was really awful.
When you think that now you can go up to 6400 isos, and that here we are a bit limited, unless you like images with a lot of grain.
I was able to work and evolve thanks to the internet which guided me towards photo blogs with which I could make my weapons.
For the record, the first image I showed was an overexposed backlight image that was unexploitable, the wrath fell on me…
Do you use digital photo processing techniques?
Yes, as a professional photographer, it’s imperative, it’s like saying I’m a film photographer and don’t know how to develop film and make enlargements. Digital processing is modern development.
In addition to all the parameters of the photo which is complicated, speed aperture and ISO, it was necessary to learn how to treat an image to embellish it on computer.
Find tutorials on programs like Photoshop and Ligthroom and learn how to calibrate a monitor to get a true color image.
I saw that you make digital photo portraits in Lyon?
I actually started my work as a photographer by inviting friends to pose in places like the Croix-Rousse hill or the old Lyon.
These beautiful places have an orange color atmosphere and the old stone embellishes the background.
At the moment, I’m being asked to do more modern and fashionable portraits that we would take more in the new Confluence district in Lyon.
This modern and chic area is the work of architects who present their construction works.
The lines are aggressive and modern accompanied by bright colors.
Atmosphere guaranteed, because Lyon is a magnificent city with its own architecture.
These photos were intended to show my work to more experienced photographers.
Now that I master the light, I offer portrait sessions, family, couples, weddings, and EVJF / EVG in the location of their choice. There are many places in Lyon where we can capture the moment in photography.
What photographic equipment do you use?
I currently use two Canon cameras, as I am a professional wedding photographer in Lyon.
Two cameras on which I mount two lenses for two different shots.
A 35 mm fixed focal length with an aperture of 1.4 for wide shots, and an 85 mm fixed focal length also for closer portrait shots.
These two lenses allow me to take really creative and spontaneous shots.
I also use a harness so I don’t strain my back carrying my two cameras all day long.
And I also use an ultra wide angle lens 17-40 mm to realize the exit of the ceremonies as well as the photos of groups.
Wedding photographer in Lyon ?
I am also in Nice and Paris, I am interested, tell us a little…
This is my main activity today and I love it.
My job is to take the best stolen moments from weddings, the funny moments, the emotional moments and be there for the important moments of their day.
We must succeed in establishing a climate of trust with the future bride and groom, because I will follow them throughout their days.
My advice as a wedding photographer in Lyon is that it is important to meet several times, to get to know each other, to understand their day, to visualize perhaps through a few shots the people who are important to them to take pictures.
I show them certain poses for couple photos, and give them tips and advice for the highlights of their day.You should know that I also take the photos of the of the engagement session before the wedding.
With the bride and groom, I take a moment to do a photo session in civil clothes, in the place of their choice.
At the same time, they learn how to pose so that they can quickly love themselves in pictures! And be comfortable in front of the camera on their wedding day.Concerning the group photos during weddings in Lyon These are delicate moments in these days if they are not well organized.
A lot of people to take pictures of means a lot of organization to lose as little time as possible, and that our bride and groom do not lose patience.
I set up important things beforehand to make sure the process goes as smoothly as possible!
And for the wedding preparations in Lyon These are intimate photo sessions of the preparation of the bride and groom, it must go quickly, the morning is a magical moment or the atmosphere is soft.
There are a lot of surprise moments in these days and every wedding is different.
That’s what being a photographer in Lyon is all about, diversifying your clientele and understanding your customers.
Thanks Stéphane, I hope to meet you again.
Vincent Kem,