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Confessions of Fashion Photographer: Remi Rebillard

They say a picture is worth a thousand words. Therefore, I think its fair to say that Remi Rebillard's photos speak volumes. He has photographed iconic faces such as Angie Everhart, Tasha Tilberg, Karen Mulder, Rebecca Romijn and Malgosia Bela. His work has been published in some of Europe's most revered Fashion mags such as Amica, Anna, Grazia, Uomo Vogue among many others.

Tell us about yourself, where did you grow up, your life, anything you want to tell us ?

I was born in Paris' 12th area (12eme arrondissement) and grew up in the outskirts.
In my 20's, I was going out to the clubs in Paris, like Bus Palladium and Elysee Matignon. On a daily basis I would run into icons like Serge Gainsbourg. Jane Birkin, Cesar ( the sculptor ), Helmut Newton...just to name a few. I will always remember sitting next to Newton at the the Brasserie Lipp ,he was taking snapshots with his little point and shoot camera while eating .

I was constantly surrounded by aspiring actors, the French versions of Paris Hilton. I was living the beautiful life.

Meanwhile, I was also working as an assistant director on commercial films. At this time, I remember calling the office of Roman Polanski and informing his first assistant that I was available for the next production, which was the feature film "Pirates". Funny to see how the young Remi Rebillard had no fear.
This was not meant to be, so instead I went to St Barts in the Caribbean to meet up with a friend. While I was there a French Photographer asked me to help him on a shoot for a catalog. I remember taking the light reading with his Minolta Flashmeter.

I started taking photos of my very photogenic girlfriend which quickly led me to working for magazines in Milan. In 1993 I moved to New York where I started to develop my style by experimenting with gels and color, using different types of film in my Greenwich Village loft. New York was a big step for me. I don't think I realized the influence the city had on me at the time because my agent was only pushing me for commercial work, but I was letting New York inspire me.

What was your inspiration to become a photographer ?

I have always been sensitive to light. Even before I picked up a camera, I would be aware of how light affected my surroundings. How it affected objects, people, even me...... How a room was lit, how it affected the mood...
Not yet a photographer, I saw an 18 year old Tatiana Patitz who had just arrived in Paris sitting just across from me and I knew then that I wanted to stop that instant, to record it, capture it. My first visual emotion. What an " etrange maniere " to spend your life looking at people moving in a little rectangular frame knowing "quoi qu' il arrive " that they will never be the same again .

You have worked with very iconic faces. Who is your favorite model that you have photographed, Is there any model you would like to work with ?

In the 90's, my favorite was Estelle Lefebure. She had the most incredible smile. Every frame on the film was perfect! Later in New York I would say they would be Malgosia Bella or Tasha Tilberg. I didn't shoot many stars.

As for today, I like the actress Keira Knightley ... her elegance ... her presence.

Are there any artists who you admire , who are your influences ?

I will start with Bill Brandt for his "Perspective of Nudes ". I read that his influences came from Orson Wells, the wide angles, the ceiling, the doors, from the movie Citizen Kane.
Of course, Penn who has re-invented everything. Newton for his 1930's German eye. Sarah Moon for her unique feminine style . Paolo Roversi,who should have lived in 1750 , Spanish Artist, Javier Vallhonrat and one last, the movie director Ridley Scott. His director of photography is amazing! I remember a Parisian celebrity who said, "Black and white photography is like a tuxedo, quick-fix for elegance. Fred Astaire is only one step away from the maitre-d of a hotel "…

How does working in New York differ from Paris ?

New York's focus is money [cancellation fee, overtime charge, hourly rate.....] and Paris' is creativity [bottle of Dom Perignon in the fridge of the studio]

How would you describe your style ?

I'm not sure...... I read this: The photography of Remi Rebillard is dark but sexy. Capturing his models as they are scantily clad in sleek and sexy swimsuits, you would think you're just viewing any other typical bathing suit catalogue, but Remi Rebillard's work has a certain edge to them. Rebillard's sometimes subversive, moody and sexy images are still giving us tingles.
When entering in Remi's world, you will touch his unique style in photography. He uses his camera like a painting palette. His colours mix affects you deeply & gives you multiple & sometimes controversial feelings fighting inside your mind & heart! Many times you are going to feel that you are watching a fantasy movie directed by extraordinary director. He created a photo & a story at the same time.

If you could shoot any models past or present, who would you like to shoot !