Showing posts with label Maurice Elmaleh. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Maurice Elmaleh. Show all posts

December 31, 2018

A Journey of Beauty and Art in the Deserts of Utah










The majestic and inspiring desert landscapes of Utah, United States, offer photographers almost infinite creative possibilities.




Last summer, Maurice Elmaleh has embarked on a journey of exploration with four great art models: Kate Snig, Anoush ANou, Dasha U Usova and Viribus Femina. He has captured out there real little gems, where feminity and nature merge together into pure splendour.













Fine Art Nude





















































































Black and White










































































































Beauty and Nature















































































































Portraits





















Thank you Maurice for sharing with us such beautiful pictures and allowing us to travel through your eyes.





Soon, Univers d'Artistes' readers will be able to appreciate the latest photographic trip of Maurice Elmaleh, this time marked by the culture and warmth of Mexico. Another promise of ravishment!






July 9, 2018

Modeling: so much more than just being photogenic




When people hear that I am a model, the image they automatically have in their mind is that of a woman who shows up in a studio, is pampered by a whole team of professionals (makeup artist, hairdresser, stylist, artistic director) and once transformed into a diva, a princess or a femme fatale, just has to sit there being beautiful in front of the camera, taking the poses and mimicking the attitudes suggested. But if they spontaneously see modeling that way, it is most likely because the job has been done successfully. Working as a model on creative projects is so much more than just being photogenic.



Everything looks easy, effortless.





«Lost Royalty»
Photo by Maurice Elmaleh
MUAH and dress by Carolyn Lacasse







Sylvain Perrier Fotografi
Photo by Sylvain Perrier Fotografi
MUAH, styling and concept by Carolyn Lacasse





Behind an image quickly consumed, there are hours of work.




From founding an idea to the elements to stage it, from the atmosphere that will emanate from it to the creation of the character, there is often an unsuspected amount of time and energy invested.






«The Shore»
Published in Dark Beauty Magazine
Beach created in studio by Pierre Joosten
Photo and editing by Pierre Joosten
MUAH, styling and concept by Carolyn Lacasse









I often don't know what concepts or styles I will exploit during a photoshoot taking place just a week later. At that moment, I start leaving a part of my mind opened, on the lookout, listening to «something, somewhere», and it always ends up, sooner or later, with a big «Boom!»: a stroke of genious, an undeniable moment of lucidity. My mind literally overheats.





I could move heaven and earth to realize my ideas. I do researches on the subjet, I run everywhere to borrow from one, to buy from another, I handcraft myself, I go around thrift stores, garage sales... and when necessary, I even «borrow» my own child!






«Time for fall!», with son
Photo and editing by Sylvain Perrier Fotografi
Styling and concept by Carolyn Lacasse








«Vacances à la mer», with son
Beach entirely created in studio by Pierre Joosten
Photo and editing by Pierre Joosten
MUAH, styling and concept by Carolyn Lacasse







A few times, I even took an extra hour or two to draw what I had in mind so that I could better explain my initial idea and its composition to the photographer.





And when the time came, in front of my basic and amateurish drawing, I would add gestures to it, words and attitudes, and I would manage to make myself understood. Then, gradually, we would adapt, add elements, try different variations or moods.








«Torn», with son
Photo and editing by Pierre Joosten
Styling and concept by Carolyn Lacasse








Johoule Foto
«Rice Field Avenue»
Photo and editing by JoHoule Foto
Styling and concept by Carolyn Lacasse








«Beach Rules»
Beach and sea entirely created in studio by Pierre Joosten
Photo and editing by Pierre Joosten
MUAH, styling and concept by Carolyn Lacasse






It goes without saying that photographers are extremely important in the creative process.





They are the ones working hard to recreate the idea, not just with their talent and their technical knowledge during the photoshoot, but also after, while editing the image.





Without them, none of my ideas could become reality.





«Silly Wind»
Photo and editing by Photographie sur le vif (Denis Germain)
MUAH, styling and concept by Carolyn Lacasse







«Blow Out»
Photo and editing by Photographie sur le vif (Denis Germain)
MUAH, styling and concept by Carolyn Lacasse







«Where feminity and nature meet in a waterfall of beauty and magic»
Photo and editing by Pierre Joosten
Styling and concept by Carolyn Lacasse







«Could this be Love?»
We hung butterflies in the studio; they were not added by computer. The little door is real too.
Photo and editing by Pierre Joosten
MUAH, styling and concept by Carolyn Lacasse







«Veni, Vidi, Novi»
Photo and editing by Pierre Joosten
MUAH, styling and concept by Carolyn Lacasse








I particularly like photographers who have this remarkable humility, who are receptive to my ideas, who have this sincere desire to give them life, and who easily let me take the lead.






It is often with them that magic happens the most. So it is not surprising that I rework regularly with the same photographers. They become great accomplices, precious allies in whom I have a total trust, and with whom I can allow myself to go further more every time.





I also love when in return, once my goal is reached, the photographer suggests exploring diverse variations from the original idea. It is by such experiments that real little treasures can come alive through the camera.






Presented here is my original concept and then, the bride is used in other ideas from the photographer.






«My Life is Empty Without You»
Photo by Sylvain Perrier Fotografi
Styling and concept by Carolyn Lacasse







Photo and concept by Sylvain Perrier Fotografi
Styling by Carolyn Lacasse







Photo and concept by Sylvain Perrier Fotografi
Styling by Carolyn Lacasse








Other than the fact that all the preparations for a creative project require a lot of implication, the very morning of the photoshoot, there is this concern about whether we will succeed in putting together a hairstyle, a makeup, stylings and poses that will be convincing, not to mention the preparation of the body that started days before: balanced diet, good sleep, training, avoiding injuries or sunburns, hair removal, skin moisturizing, nail care, etc. There is therefore a lot of pressure to succeed that we impose to ourselves.






On the day set for the project, the car packed, the address in hand and ready to head for the destination, the stage fright is indeed present, just as the actor who is preparing to go on stage.






But at the end of a photoshoot, after holding poses for endless minutes and being contorted, if the photographer was able to integrate his own vision and color in a remarkable way, that he has been attuned to our inspiration so that the final result is representative of what we had in mind, the satisfaction is simply ecstatic. Probably saddled with body aches for another few days but barely noticing.






Our mission accomplished, we just feel invincible, complete. Could this be what we call PASSION?





«Take Out»
Published in Dark Beauty Magazine
Photo and editing by JoHoule Foto
Styling and concept by Carolyn Lacasse







«Let's go Play in the Woods!»
Exhibited at the Carrousel du Louvre in Paris
Photo by Sylvain Perrier Fotografi
Styling and concept by Carolyn Lacasse








I am aware that it is not for everyone to have such a combination of talents and in that case, it can be wise to team up with professionals for a project. Hairdressers, makeup artists and stylists will certainly know how to bring their own touch to the project, making it even richer and more brilliant.






When you look at a photograph, take a few moments just to appreciate the idea or the message of it, and try to find out who is the author of each detail. You will probably be surprised to discover the versatility of some of these amazing artists and who knows? Maybe they will inspire you to go further in your own artistic exploration?





«Waiting»
Photo by Sylvain Perrier Fotografi
Styling and concept by Carolyn Lacasse






May 5, 2018

Maurice Elmaleh: behind the modesty, the remarkable talent of a photographer







A portrait of Maurice, a man with the talent and the heart of gold, taken by the remarkable photographer Bassam Sabbagh








The intimist Kate Snig







Maurice Elmaleh has a great taste for beauty in general, especially for feminine beauty and its power, to which he pays tribute in each of his gorgeous shots.






The fairy beauty of Sienna Hayes













When I proposed to Maurice to present his works here, in Univers d'Artistes, he was sincerely flattered, but saw himself as an impostor in a world he should not especially be part of. So many photographers have more skills than me, I'm just having fun doing it. I was not even surprised... Maurice is the one who willingly puts himself in the shade to let shine the others: a great artistic sense, a lot of talent, but so much modesty!


For Maurice, photography is only pleasure, a free exploration, an artistic exchange with others, with generosity and openness.


Nevertheless, his photos dazzle me with their atmospheres and their refinement, so spontaneously and naturally expressed. So I chose to write this artist portrait in the same way that Maurice would have done it himself; by bringing to the fore the fantastic and beautiful models with whom he has created such gorgeous images.






The distinguished Solène Ollivier







The sculptural Kaitlin Chapple







He likes to explore where few people go. Nothing is considered «insane», everything may be potentially interesting. We just have to try, and if it's not good, oh well...


Creating makes me feel good, it makes me feel alive.






The casual energy and the guts of Roxanne Maïté Nault



















Photography has always been a part of his everyday life: while traveling, with his family... but it is only a few years ago that he discovered the pleasure of creating images with the complicity of professional models.






The grace of Kate Snig













It is by participating in a workshop given by the great art model Phylactère Rayna, often working in duo with the incredible Clara Cloutier, that he discovered another aspect of photography that totally fascinated him. Working with models opened the door to so many new possibilities, to a different form of exploration, to the exploitation of raw emotions... the limits had just repelled themselves, revealing a whole new universe that would allow him to go further in his own creativity.


Phylactère Rayna's workshops






The genious of Phylactère Rayna







The unique complicity of Clara Cloutier and Phylactère Rayna



















Following this revealing experience, he attended several photo workshops, meeting other artists: models, photographers... all feeding a common passion, a shared pleasure.


It's a hobby and at times, a passion. I am looking for a little miracle.





The atmospheres and unusual poses so particular to Clara Cloutier

































Maurice has the faculty to choose models from which emotion and grace emanate naturally, creating with their complicity pictures with particular, touching, sometimes even troubling, atmospheres.


He has therefore worked with models I admire a lot, who do a work of an exceptional beauty.






The dramatic Kate Snig














He creates images that express states of minds, where we can feel raw emotions, authenticity.


This is probably due to his acting background and his love for theater, a universe in which he still bathes regularly, giving himself the mission to project the light on these passionate and talented artists, in whom he firmly believes.






Christelle Trottier, the all natural





















He his though relatively modest about his own life, his own concerns; he prefers to make us talk, to discover us, to bring us to express ourselves, whether it is verbally or with our body. And he achieves it remarkably well.


He has lived a lot in his life and still lives it to the fullest. Always on the move, gone somewhere, traveling, the camera always in hand. And to see so many things and so many places, our judgment of others and of life in general can only be softened. There is always worse, there is always a reason for things to be the way they are. I firmly believe that Maurice is one of those who think that way.

He possesses an open-mindedness so great you could get lost in it, a freedom of the heart and the soul everyone would aspire to have.





Maurice Elmaleh on the lookout for exceptional images. Burning Man, Nevada, 2011







The unique beauties of Black Rock City, Nevada, by Maurice Elmaleh














Naturally, we open ourselves to him, we place our trust in him.

With Maurice, we feel he has enough experience to understand, and maybe even to teach us a little? And that quiet strength that emanates from him... we can only abandon ourselves, letting him guide us where we should be.






The classic beauty of Kaitlin Chapple







The vibrant Sienna Hayes







His wisdom and life experience, however, do not interfere with his passion and his love of life, omnipresent despite some rainy days.

He can have fun with anything, as often as possible, and he takes us in his gentle fantasies, such as an elegant waltz, while whispering in our ear his witticisms that suddenly eclipse all formality.





For having worked several times as a model in front of Maurice's camera, I can testify that the celebration of our beauty is truly and respectfully in the spotlight.

Posing for him becomes an act free of constraints, so fluid. 

With him, I explored less known areas of myself, a phenomenon which I cannot explain the why nor the how. From us, suddenly comes out a very different energy, a feminine strength, an assumed self-assertion.






Me, powerful and feminine







Quite discreet, as if he was only there to keep us company, he is the invisible witness of each of our poses and our introspection throughout the expression of our art. He captures moments of pure beauty and absolute feminity.






The magnificent Olivia Preston







The timeless beauty of Kate Snig