9 Questions with Jennifer Orhélys - Magazine Issue03

Jennifer Orhélys is a Photo Vogue published photographer featured in Al-Tiba9 magazine ISSUE03, interviewed by Mohamed Benhadj.

Jennifer Orhélys lived in different cultures, languages, and art. She always was drawn to writing, poetry, music, and fashion; and lucky to be in contact with beauty and surrounding wilderness. She studied cinema, visual arts, and art history. Hence her photographic working the “scénaristique” staging inspired by the Pre-Raphaelite and Romantic periods of classical paintings. Today, Jennifer studies medicine and botany. In 2016, her work and research on the art of self-portraiture were recognized and part of the permanent collection of the Kiyo Sato Photographic Museum. She has exhibited from Ne York to Los Angles and Berlin to Japan.

Jennifer, before talking about photography, could you tell us about yourself? Who is Jennifer Orhélys?

Since always, I love the world of art, painting, poetry, and fashion. As a child, I was wild enough, and I could watch the clouds in the sky for hours, make huts in the forest, be in contact with nature, and animals. I like contemplation and daydreaming. My mother has always done everything to excite my culture, the taste for beauty, and exacerbate my intuition. I think that I arrived there, thanks to her love. Orhélys is an invention, a fantasy for some, I play it sometimes. It's merely a character, a creature invented from scratch. Everything is a question of measurement.

How did you decide to pursue a career in photography? What inspired you?

Photography has always had a privileged place in my life. The idea that I like to explore above all else is the suggestion. Suggest things. I studied cinema and photography at the Sorbonne, from which stems this desire for staging in my Self-portrait and more recently for the macro. I can not say that I am consciously inspired now because my creative process is slow and flashy. We can talk about enlightenment, but maybe this is simply the divine who inspires me, why not?

How would you describe your photographic approach?

My photographic approach is summed up by respect for myself and nature. I want to show what's beautiful and share it with as many people as possible. I like telling stories, dreaming. Besides, one of my other dreams is to write children's stories. I think it's vital to create a little sweetness in this world of bullies.

Can you give an example of a portrait that you have made that you feel is especially successful? Will you walk us through the process a bit, and talk about how and why you ended up with the result that pleases you?

Many of my photographs have been very popular with the public. It's hard to pick one. But I'm thinking of Blanche Aura, whom I created in 2012. I know now that she is part of the collective unconscious. This self-portrait opened doors for me internationally and exhibited in Times Square on a building. This is one of the most impressive moments of my career. It's a self-portrait in full light at home with an apple from my orchard. I remember being a little stressed during the shooting. But when I saw the picture, I immediately felt its potential. After this is just a post-processing story on photoshop, with the saturation, colors, I retouch a little bit. In the end, I felt such joy in front of her; it was incredible.

What do you find most challenging about portrait photography?

It is to be able to express an emotion, to create a feeling in the other. I know that I get there quickly.

What is the hardest portrait you have had to take?

The self-portrait is not tricky. It's a game, but maybe when I'm sad, it can seem complicated. But this emotion disappears after a few minutes since I can finally be myself and express something, and not be afraid of the unknown.

If an aspiring photographer asked you for advice, what would you tell them?

The most difficult is finding his style. Work and work again and again. Do not be demoralized when doors close, and then talent is always rewarded.

Are you working on any project that we will be able to see soon?

I have been working for five months on my series, My Flesh's Nature. This series is the most intimate I conceive, at least for the moment, it speaks of my tastes, my aspirations, my vision of the world, and my feelings. Italy, America and Eastern countries mark their approval on this series, but for now, I am in comprehensive research, so I give myself time.

The photographer Jennifer Orhélys in three words...

Passionate, committed, and serious.