Surrealist Fantasies
Escaping Reality
Photography By Laura Moreau
Photographer Laura Moreau talks about constantly experimenting in her photography, being a freak in a small town, and her ode to photographer Ryan McGinley.
Los Angeles, USA
What is your history as a photographer?
It started when I found the camera of my dad, he just had passed away and I got attached to this beautiful broken object, a Canon AE1. Fun fact is that years later, I found one in the trash in Paris and it became my main camera since then ( the light leaked ones for those who know my work haha). Then I decided to go to photo school in Toulouse, that I quit 3 months after starting it, I did not feel that I belonged there for many reasons.
Later on, my friend Jean from the band Mustang, asked me to do some art for their promo etc.. I sold them to Sony music and then life brought me to the US. I went to this amazing shop in San Francisco called Glass Key photo, met Gordon and Matt who introduced me to Brian Brooks, I became his assistant and he taught me so much, this 3 men are mentors and I’m glad they welcomed me like family. Actually they just opened a Lab, Underdog lab in Oakland. I need to send them films ! That's about it for my story !
You grew up in Le Verdon-sur-Mer, France. How did growing up there influence your photography?
I grew up in a small Village called Le Verdon-sur-Mer, it wasn’t easy as I was considered a freak, but I’m now at peace with it! Le Verdon-sur-Mer is a very special place, Bunkers from World War II that are now covered with amazing graffiti that kids do, the ocean, the pine forest, the swamps…. It has a special feel, especially in the winter, I guess my inspiration came from the fact that I was always daydreaming as I was most of the time trying to escape reality, lol I was very emo I guess…
What made you move to Los Angeles, California? How did this city inspire you?
I don’t know what made me move here :)
Los Angeles inspires me a lot, Los Angeles is Los Angeles, it’s its people that live here that inspires me. Like any other places I really think that people are just so inspiring for me.
Tell the story behind one of your images
I love giving tribute to people that I admire and it's also an amazing exercise for your brain, eye, etc, Ryan McGinley was one of my favorite photographer as a teen, I never understood how he was creating those crazy surreal photography… At the age of 17 I started to think of how I could recreate this scene from the music video that he directed for Sigur Rós named Gobbledigook. 10 years later I decided to make it happen, it was hard to find open minded people to go through that all process but thanks to Zorthian ranch Community, I was able to do it, 9 rolls shot in 40 mins and here is my tribute to my love and respect to Ryan McGinley <3 Also a special thanks to Tara, Marlon, Ireland, Lea & Jimmy
How would you describe your style? What makes you unique?
I would say that I’m a very colorful low angle portrait photographer, I’m mostly working with musicians and artists so I have more freedom depending on whom I’m shooting, that’s very nice! Though I would love to re-explore my surrealist side, that’s the scene I would love to belong to. I'm really admirative of the work of my friend Lisa Boostani, check her out !!! And then I don’t consider myself unique as I do think we are all unique in our ways :)
What are some difficulties you've come across as a photographer?
A lot, but the main one is the fear of not having my style, I do experiments ALL THE TIME ! So obviously I’m putting a lot of difficulties on my side but it’s also very fun when it works! And I now have a plan, but that’s my secret !
How has being a photographer changed your life?
It taught me patience and a taste of studying again ! Both never ever were in my life beforehand haha. And a LOT of work, it’s exciting!
What's next for you?
So I’m going to shoot in a studio for the whole month of August, thanks to my friend and also photographer Tessa Binder who thought of me to share the space ! A lot of new people that I never took portraits of are coming to ask some of my portraits and it’s super refreshing !! And then the big next is that I’m creating a book about France I will share the title closer to when everything is ready but I’m very excited, special thanks to my friend Larry Niehues that inspired me on that one, his photography work is just too good (he is actually working on his second one, his first one is a masterpiece « Nothing has Changed »)
And then many more news to come, but I love to keep some secrets ;)
