Creative Profile
Fabrice Bourgelle
Devout photographer, explorer and expressionist of the aesthetic medium, Fabrice Bourgelle drops by to disclose some of the insightful experiences from his creative journey this month. His strikingly beautiful pictures, deep-rooted passion for music and affinity with capturing the unexpected have led him to produce work for artists on labels such as Ninja Tune, Tru Thoughts, First Word Records and more. Expressing an adept ability to work closely with artists, his skills behind the lens have granted him some truly unique experiences; documenting events, tours and video shoots aplenty, whilst still managing to push his own personal work.
Where did you grow up and where do you now live?
I spent most of my time living between England, France and Belgium and though I’ve never really felt too attached to one specific place, I guess London has always felt more like home. That being said I’ve ended up settling in Brighton, but am pretty much on the ready for anywhere my work might take me next.
Tell us about your creative background.
I used to draw a lot as a kid, but even then, I knew I was rubbish. I’ve always been mesmerized by imagery, in fact I remember taking and developing my first picture when I was nine and it’s still hanging on my wall. In my teens I spent time playing with a Rollercoid, but apart from a few short flings, I never really pursued any of this initial attraction. The place where things first started to bubble was through sound. I’ve been obsessed with music ever since I can remember. My dad was a soul and blues man, my mum loved her classical stuff, and my older sisters fed me all the eighties sounds I could hack at the time. I guess it translated into a proper need to make some of my own noise, first with the guitar and percussion, and then slowly getting more and more into the various strands of ‘beat culture’, I eventually entered the world of tunrtablism. There have been many phases, but I still practice all these today and listen to more and more different kinds of music. I’m even trying to sing, though there is clearly a reason why I’m not being interviewed for my vocal skills!
What’s the reason for doing what you do?
I was never pushed into anything, and I never felt the need to study an art form ‘academically’; I always felt that if it was right for me, it should come intuitively. Though the initial creative steps were through music, suddenly I found myself taking pictures again and I don’t know how to explain it, but this time round, the moment I held my own camera, everything just felt right. Now I am literally obsessed with ‘light’ and being able to capture it gives me this weird buzz, no matter what I’m shooting. I just follow what I’m attracted to, and I take pictures as I go along.
Where do you get your inspiration?
Everywhere…But for some reason my strongest ideas usually come to me in that weird mind state when you’re just about to fall asleep but aren’t quite there yet.
Do you have a particular type of music you like to work to?
Depends what kind of work I’m doing. If I’m working on ideas or shoots for a particular band, I will always plug into their sound to grab the feel I wanna give the shots. If it’s more personal work then it really depends on what feels right at the time. Silence is pretty sweet too.
We’re aware that photography takes a hell of a lot more than pointing a camera and pressing a button. What attributes do you feel make for a good photographer?
There are so many different types of photographer, and then there seem to be so many different qualities that make up what it is to be a good photographer. Some of them even contradict each other. I’d rather not pretend like I have a straight answer, but there is clearly the technical side of things, and there are the more profound connotations involved. I think one has to stay open to both these aspects in their work and in life in general; accept that we are always changing and learning, and this vision will translate into your imagery. I guess evolution is the key.
Best and worst photo shoot experience so far?
I don’t know about ‘worst’ but there have definitely been some funny/heart-wrenching moments so far. I recently had to do a shoot for an artist where pretty much all the band turned up two and half hours late. Nothing out of the ordinary there except when we finally got going the guy’s car got towed. While he was trying to sort it out, another guy on location was trying to give me ‘plant food’. Still, by 3AM the job was done and I have to say, all the people involved were genuinely helpful.
On the flip side, the ‘best’ times have been whilst on assignments. The treats of working with musicians you love is that you get to share your passion with them, and they with you. I had the honor of jamming with Quantic and his Combo Barbaro in the back of the tour bus on the way back from Paris, drinking rum into the wee hours while Will played a tribute to Michael Jackson’s ‘Don’t Stop Till You Get Enough’ on the accordion. I jumped ship at 6AM when we landed back in Dover only to end up getting a lift back to London in an eighteen wheeler, full of The Kooks’ tour equipment, with this really chatty Glaswegian guy. I hadn’t slept a wink, was starting to feel nicely hungover, and it all started to get a bit surreal. Also, getting the chance to sing along with Fink as me and him sat backstage while he warmed up for the gig was also a sweet moment. Things like this really stick with you. It makes me feel blessed and thankful to be able to do what I do.
There’s masses of extra equipment a photographer needs to have at his disposal, but what’s your preferred weapon of choice? What model do you use to capture such stunning imagery?
Wouldn’t want to name/brand drop here really, but once you have a decent machine, its really about the lens. Personally. I like to carry an all round zoom lens 18-200mm, not only because I like to be able to feel like I can cover all bases, but also because it’s the best I could afford, for a long while. Though I have borrowed other lenses here and there this is what I have used for most of my work. So far so good, but times are changing, and am looking forward to my new toys, especially this old Leica 33mm I just inherited with a lifetime’s worth of lenses. Jackpot.
Do you have a particular subject matter you prefer to shoot and what is it about that subject that inspires/intrigues you so?
I shoot a lot, and I try to keep it varied, I usually enjoy working on promo stuff for bands. But I really get my kicks doing other music-based features, especially going on tour. As much as I love individual pieces, I really dig drawing a narrative through a series of images. I want the viewer to feel like they are seeing something they would never normally see around the music they like.
What are you currently working on?
Just finished a collaboration piece with photographer and all round top gentleman, Ben Petrucci. We worked on a fashion editorial piece for a designer who just finished Alternative Fashion Week in London, called Charlotte Haggerty. She makes some ridiculously fly stuff, definitely keep an eye out for the lady and her threads, they really stand out. Next up am doing a feature on a Swedish band called Wildbirds and Peacedrums, plus some other really exciting music documentary work with the Red Bull Music Academy, but you’ll have to stay tuned for that… Oh and I just interviewed Peanut Butter Wolf recently too, which was dope!
What can we expect from Fabrice Bourgelle in the future?
More than you bargained for…probably some nice stuff accompanied by some weird stuff…gotta love the weird stuff!
All photographs are copyright of Fabrice Bourgelle Pyres a.k.a. Photography by Focus 2010
