Introduction
I was carpooling when the idea of this project came to me. It was winter and the heating was set on the maximum. In the car was, a gynecologist, a retired woman, and myself. Sitting in the back seat, I was listening to the conversation. The retired woman, who used to be a lawyer, was talking about menopause and her heartache. She said she was afraid her husband would no longer look at her, or desire her. In order to not «look her age», Sylvie had her wrinkles tightened and her breasts operated. This conversation made me realize that for a woman, growing older can be a source of anxiety, a burden.
« Men don’t age better than women; they are only allowed to age »
- Mona Chollet, Sorcières- La puissance invaincue des femmes. ed Zones, 2019
I am revolted by the absence of mature women in the representation of beauty, as part of a long line of generations who have been taught that women are beautiful when they are young and that as time goes by, their beauty deteriorates.
Belonging to a long line of generations who have been taught that women are beautiful when they are young and that as time goes by, their beauty deteriorates, I feel revolted by the absence of mature women in the representation of beauty. Now that the movement for gender equality challenges many aspects of our society, I would like to question the still pervasive influence of patriarchy on the perception of our bodies. There are great women, actresses, singers, who shine in my eyes because of their talent, their charisma, their ideas, and who today have been robbed of their smile. Literally, their real smile, authentic and human. So many retouches, injections or plastic surgeries to be able to continue to exist.
Photographing and interviewing women is a way for me to break this taboo and the conventions conditioning, legends, illusions, ideals. Photographing and interviewing women is a way for me to break the conventions and taboos. Stopping in time, through photography, allows me to immortalise them and to reveal bodies magnified by their stories and by a time that belongs to them. From a fold under a breast to the lines of their face, they reveal their sensitivity, their adventures, their wisdom, their joy, their depth, their soul.»
Belles Mômes is a project that has been running for 3 years. The series is the result of 56 encounters with women over 50 in Belgium, France, Switzerland and Germany. More than 38,000 people on social networks.
Why the last chapter?
To document ageing in cultures other than those I know, in order to write a book.
I did a survey in several places around the world and the ones that were most relevant to me were Georgia, Senegal, Canada, the United States, Morocco and Brazil. I’d like to go and meet the women who responded positively to the survey and come back with stories and portraits. To start my Belles Mômes book !
Thanks to my YouTube channel, you’ll be able to follow the progress of the project step by step! :)
Belles Mômes
I’d like to introduce you to my personal project, Belles Mômes, which I started in my 2nd second year as a bachelor of photography school. This series is the result of 56 fifty-six one on one encounters with women over the age of fifty in Belgium, France, Switzerland and Germany. The more I work on this project, the more I understand the importance of the subject. I decided to do it alone because of the strong element of intimacy involves in the image making process. So I couldn’t imagine working with as a duo. From conception to shooting, it’s a very collaborative process between me and the person I photograph. Through conversations and getting to know each other, an intimate and safe ground is created for the photography dialogue to start. I work in black and white and shoot with a Rolleiflex, a medium format 6x6 film camera. This choice is consistent with the way I aim; This camera functions in such a way that I have to put my head down to look through it and focus. I realized as a result the subject feels less intimidated and more at ease. Using film means that the shots are taken more slowly and carefully, allowing me to create a real moment of exchange. I generally use three rolls of film, which gives me 36 thirty-six images per person.
I shoot black and white both because I think it makes people concentrate more on the subject, and because I like to develop my images myself at home. The choice of film is motivated by the way it looks, the grain of the film works well with the finesse of our skin. The image vibrates and to me seems almost alive.
A session usually goes something like this: A woman who would like wants to take part in the project contacts me reaches out to me (sometimes I don’t know what she looks like) and I go to meet her we arrange a place and a time to meet. We It usually starts with a long conversation, she tells me about her life, her relationship with her body and how she sees her place in our society. Then I ask her to tell me how she wants to pose. Naked or not is up to her. The only things I pay attention to are the light and their her expression. I ask them not to smile too much. As for the poses, I make sure that they don’t fit into the codes of eroticism. I believe in spontaneity and chance in the creation of this series. It is mainly guided by the women I meet, my intuition, my feelings and my confidence in these strong human encounters. I try to create images that are real, without artifice. It’s important to me not only to showcase bodies but also stories, imprinted in every wrinkle, stain and fold. With my photographs, I want to denounce a reality that is too deeply rooted in the injunctions that prevent women from ageing serenely.
The second chapter will be the perception of ageing in cultures other than those I know. I carried out a survey in several parts of the world and the ones that were most relevant to me were Georgia, Senegal, Canada, the United States, Morocco and Brazil. I’d like to go and meet the women who responded positively to the survey, and come back with stories and portraits. I’d like to start my book !
This is what I need backing for.
Thanks to the many articles about my project (written press, TV, podcasts, etc.), many women have written to me to testify or to take part. So far, I’ve photographed women from similar cultures. What interests me now is documenting the perception of ageing in other cultures/countries. I’d like to paint a true portrait of women over 50 fifty around the world. Belles Mômes is a documentary series made up of a body of portraits in dialogue with each other. It will be the subject of exhibitions and, in March 2025 will become a published book. The book will play an important role, and will be accompanied by anonymous stories that will give the reader a sense of intimacy and belonging. There will also be a video for each destination, on YouTube, so that my audience can follow me and the progress of the project.
I need you help to be able to realize my Belles Mômes Tour !
Why 17,000 ?
purchase of supplies related to the project/ Micro flash film 4,000 Subcontracting 1,400 Travelling expenses 5,600 Accommodation / Photo equipment 6,000
