A Conversation with Romain Laprade
Romain Laprade is a Paris-based still life and fashion photographer whose ability to take a simple scene and turn it into something magical, shines throughout all his work. His photographs play with composition, geometric shapes, and dreamy color palettes transporting you to a faraway oasis. We spoke to Romain who shared his approach to photography, favorite projects, current inspirations & more.
How would you describe your photography aesthetic? How does it reflect your personal taste and style?
“My main principle is to work as naturally as possible and with my instinct. I never overthink a project. I want the result to be simple and visually emotional. I’d like to create images that make people dream they are in the photograph. I want the image to be strong and memorable.
I like to find beauty in the trivial details of everyday life, giving the images a feeling of immense tranquility. I like to see what others may not, and capture it.
Visual perfection is absolutely essential to me. I need to be surrounded by it, it makes me happier. It makes me feel relaxed and peaceful. I force myself unconsciously to glorify what is around me and that is why I capture it. My work represents the world as I want it to be; my work is what I see.”
What experiences or travel destinations have inspired your photography?
“A lot of the South of France, and the coast in general. Maybe because it reminds me of Summer holiday when I was kid and it is still an inspiration to me today. The U.S. also inspires me, especially California.”
Where do you look for inspiration? What artists have inspired your photography?
“For inspiration, I often look to American photography like the work of Egglestone, Saul Leiter, and Andy Warhol. I also love David Hockney, Luigi Ghirri and directors like Eric Homer and Jacque Tati.”
What about still life photography intrigues you?
“I love the idea of creating a composition, and a harmony between the object and the background.
An emotion can exist very much with still life, we do not always need a human being in a picture.”
Can you tell us about the process of creating your books Distances Volume I and II? What inspired the project? What did you enjoy most?
“The project of Distances is to create a collection of books, creating one every 2 to 3 years, with a different color on the cover and a new collection of recent images. It is a mix of different places I’ve been. I travel a lot for commission jobs and I always try to captures moments. The most exciting thing is to create the cover, of course!”
What is your favorite photography project to date?
“It is very difficult to pick one but I always think about the series of Alain Capeillieres swimming pool because this location gave me a lot of emotion and people still talk to me about it, even 5 years after.
Also, going to Bhutan for Holiday Magazine was an amazing experience that I will never forget.”
How do you hope people interpret your work?
“I hope people find serenity in the images. I hope they travel through time. I want them to understand that everything has been shot with my instinct . I wish everybody sees what they want to see; we all have a different imagination.”
What are you most excited for in 2023? Can you tell us about any new projects in the works?
“I went to Dakar, Senegal last year and the images are going to be out very soon in my friend’s magazine, Study Magazine.
I can’t wait to share this series,. It is mostly about the architecture in Dakar, which I believe needs to be shared.”
What are 3 things you always travel with?
“My camera, of course, a cap and sunscreen.”
What's currently on your bookshelf?
Andy Warhol Diaries
The book of Thomas Demand (I just bought after seeing his exhibition at Jeu de Paume in Paris)
A collection of vintage magazines "Arizona Highways"
