WILDCHILD Publishing.com

Interview by Marci G Baun:

WCP:
When did you first realize that you wanted to be a photographer? Was it a decision you made or something you "fell" into or did you just know?

Albane Navizet:
I became a photographer from one day to the next... by "accident", the summer of 1978 in Paris. I had been a model and an actress for fifteen years. Modeling for me was over and the movie world was elusive. Alan, my husband then, had given me a Nikon camera as a gift. I picked it up, to kill time I thought, between two acting jobs, but it was an instantaneous passion.

WCP:
It is obvious by the quality of your work that you are a master at your craft. It must have taken years to reach this level. Where did you hone your craft? Did you take classes, study at the university or was this something you grew up doing and learned in the field?

Albane Navizet:
From my years on the other side of the lens, I had learned a couple of things from both good and bad photographers I modeled for. I could feel the difference between a wonderful and a poor light. And the best photographers would always make me feel comfortable.

WCP:
What was your first professional job? How did you get hired?

Albane Navizet:
After barely a month of testing, although I knew little more than how to load my camera, my neighbor across the street, a creative director at Young & Rubicam, gave me my first job for Shell. I shot husbands and wives, fathers and sons or daughters who were running the gas stations of France's deep countryside. My portraits made them all look like movie stars. Then I dared to present my beginner's work to the French Elle magazine. And with a fortunate good timing, I started to shoot portraits of celebrities weekly. It was then, on the spot, that I honed my craft as fast as I could...

WCP:
You have also photographed several stars during those years.

Albane Navizet:
Yes. For the French Paris Match and great Italian and English magazines, I started to shoot one major celebrity after the next. I was still honing my craft as fast as I could...I learned to work very fast and to rely more and more on intuition. I have used primarily natural light and settings to this day, and my purpose always has been to capture the beauty, sensuality and intimacy of my subjects. I've very much enjoyed my sittings with Michael Douglas, Harrison Ford, Andy MacDowell, Henry Kissinger, Jacques Cousteau, Shirley MacLaine, John Huston, Kim Basinger and so many more...

WCP:
Of those you've photographed, who was the most interesting? And what was it that made them so interesting?

Albane Navizet:
One of my favorite subjects was Jack Nicholson who's known for his professionalism. I shot him at his home in Aspen where I stayed as a guest for a night. In the morning, Jack woke up, unexpectedly, as early as I did. Both of us were in pajamas and we sat on his sofas to have tea. His dogs jumped on him and half sleepy I said, " That would be a nice shot"... He said, "Take it"... The point isn't that, barely awake, I grabbed my camera, but that Jack didn't say, "Let me fix my hair first" or something like that. It was the best picture of the day.

WCP:
You currently live in Los Angeles. What brought you to the States?

Albane Navizet:
I moved to Los Angeles in 1980 and fell in love with the city. More than the proverbial "American dream", it's the "California dream” or the “California way of life" that is so attractive to Europeans. There are two places I call home, L.A. and Paris.

WCP:
Why did you decide to compile "Men: Moments"?

Albane Navizet:
I was inspired to do "Men: Moments" when I read in a magazine a piece from women about everything they hate about men. I was struck at how depressing that mind set was, and how much they were missing the beauty of men all around us. I felt stimulated to photograph, capture and show the beauty of so many men everywhere. I wanted to express my appreciation to men.

WCP:
You state in your foreword that you have had a love affair with men all of your life. It shows in this book. Many of these photos capture a sensual quality of the man in it. And while a few of them could be considered risque, none are offensive because it is obvious that the photographer loves men and finds them beautiful. How did you select your subjects? What was it about that man that drew you to him?

Albane Navizet:
I had a wonderful and loving relationship with my father and my brothers, and they were handsome men. From my childhood, something sweet came dancing through my project to chose men that looked inspiring at any age- fathers, husbands, brothers, friends, lovers... "Men: Moments" was dedicated to my father and brothers.

WCP:
You also said that every man you asked to pose agreed. Did you know any of them? Were all of them complete strangers before the photo sessions? And how did you get these simply scrumptious men to pose? (grin)

Albane Navizet:
When I decided to create "Men: Moments", I chose a friend as my first subject... then, not knowing where I'd find the next, I opened my eyes really wide... finding them among others I knew... and quickly losing my embarrassment, I confronted complete strangers. To each I said something like this:" I want to capture the beauty of men in intimacy- as seen through the eyes of love... I want to photograph you as if I was the woman in love with you.... because from love's perspective, there's only beauty... and in intimacy beauty expands. Those I chose to photograph understood and appreciated that my purpose was to show them through the eyes of love, and they were more than willing to express their feelings.

WCP:
I love how you use light to add texture to the photographs. With some of them, I feel as if I am peeking through a window into someone's life.

Albane Navizet:
One of the rewards of my years of working with daylight is my ever-growing enchantment for its infinite range. I find great pleasure in seeing the magical spot of light that highlights and flirts with the beauty of my subjects. It takes far more effort than it seems to create what appears as a candid shot. I help with wardrobe, pose, directions and encouragement.. I shuffle hair and unfasten shirts. I distract my subjects away from their conscious self- image to catch a glimpse of their radiance. Often I make them laugh.

WCP:
Do you have any advice to give to someone who's just starting out as a photographer?

Albane Navizet:
Shoot what inspires you. Be thrilled. What's on film often gave me lovely surprises I have learned from. Both my parents were deaf. They have given me a most unique gift. I learned from them to never look without seeing.

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