Valérie Jardin: What It Means To Be A Street Photographer
“It’s important to remember that you are the only person you need to please with your photography”
Valérie Jardin is a French photographer currently residing in the United States. She is self-taught and worked for several years as a commercial photographer. Today, Valérie is known internationally through her workshops. When she is not teaching others the art of visual storytelling, Valérie is a prolific author and public speaker. She is also an official X-Photographer for Fujifilm USA. She lives and breathes in pixels.
© Valérie Jardin
JLH: Tell me a little about you, where you are from and what inspired you to become a street photographer?
VJ: I am a native of France and presently living in the United States. My passion for photography began when my children were born. Initially, it was just a hobby, but it soon turned into a profession, and I worked as a commercial photographer for several years. Street photography came into my life unexpectedly when I started including people in my travel photos. It quickly became my favourite genre. Before long, people began asking me to teach them, and that's how I conducted my first workshop. For the past 11 years, I have been leading workshops across the globe.
JLH: How do you prepare for a day of shooting on the streets?
VJ: I just take my camera, an extra battery, and comfortable shoes, and allow the natural light or my mood to lead the way.
© Valérie Jardin
JLH: Can you describe your creative process when you are out shooting on the streets?
VJ: I let the street surprise me and I love to get lost on purpose.
JLH: How do you approach telling a story through your street photography?
VJ: A strong photograph is the result of multiple elements working in harmony. While it may be challenging to consider all of these elements in the split second when responding to a story unfolding before your lens, elements such as composition, light, and gesture become ingrained in the way you perceive the world around you. They shape your artistic vision and instincts as a photographer.
JLH: Can you describe your process for finding and capturing moments in the street?
VJ: There is no process. It’s an emotional response to a moment.
© Valérie Jardin
© Valérie Jardin
© Valérie Jardin
© Valérie Jardin
JLH: How do you approach shooting in new or unfamiliar cities?
VJ: As a general rule, I tend to avoid tourist sites and seek out authenticity in lesser-known neighborhoods.
JLH: Can you describe any specific techniques you use to capture movement in street photography?
VJ: I often capture movement by using a panning technique or setting my camera on a wall and slowing down my shutter speed. Applying intentional camera movement to street photography is also a fun and very challenging technique.
JLH: How do you approach shooting from different perspectives or angles?
VJ: I am very attuned to the use of lines, vanishing points, out-of-focus foregrounds, negative space, patterns, and geometric shapes in my compositions. While these elements can enhance a story and make it more impactful, they alone are not enough. A strong subject and emotional connection are necessary to truly capture the essence of a moment.
© Valérie Jardin
JLH: How do you approach capturing emotion in your street photography
VJ: Emotions can be conveyed not only through the subject's eyes, but also through movement, light, color, or the lack thereof. Each of these elements, and more, can contribute to the overall emotional impact of a photograph.
JLH: What do you look for in a good street photography location?
VJ: When it comes to my photography, I always follow my heart. I'm often drawn to fleeting light. At other times, I'm captivated by architectural shapes, symmetry, and repeated patterns. By letting my instincts guide me, I'm able to create images that are true to my artistic vision.
JLH: How do you decide which direction to walk when shooting on the streets?
VJ: If it’s a sunny day I will most likely follow the light. The rest of the time my mood will guide the type of subject or situation I will be drawn to.
© Valérie Jardin
JLH: Can you describe your approach to composition in street photography?
VJ: As a photographer, I consider myself a minimalist. I'm not fond of busy or complex layers in my compositions. Instead, I'm naturally drawn to clean lines, patterns, and symmetry.
JLH: How do you use light and shadow in your street photography?
VJ: Deep shadows create mood and mystery. Harsh light can be very dramatic. I believe that there is no bad light in photography. There is easy light and there is challenging light. It’s the photographer’s responsibility to make it work.
© Valérie Jardin
JLH: Can you talk about any specific projects or series you've worked on in street photography?
VJ: My portfolio is filled with series and projects. Some are short term projects, others are ongoing series. I invite you to take a look on my website. I have series about rainy days, winter dreaming, stories of hands, timeless Paris, readers, street dogs, car people, visual narratives and many more!
© Valérie Jardin
JLH: Can you talk about any collaborations you've done with other photographers or artists in the street photography world?
VJ: I’ve had the opportunity to meet and present side by side with many street photographers at large international conferences. I also had the opportunity to work on a social documentary project with Joshua Coombes and #dosomethingfornothing on the streets of Paris and New York. That was a life-changing experience.
© Valérie Jardin #DoSomethingforNothing with Joshua Coombes
© Valérie Jardin
JLH: How do you approach creating a portfolio of your street photography work?
VJ: I've organised my portfolio into separate galleries, each containing different projects or series. This allows viewers to explore my work in a more cohesive manner.
© Valérie Jardin
© Valérie Jardin
JLH: What advice do you have for aspiring street photographers who are trying to find their style and voice?
VJ: It’s important to remember that you are the only person you need to please with your photography. If you shoot for the ‘likes’ you’ll never be happy and you will struggle to find your own artistic voice. Always follow your heart in everything you do.
JLH: What are some common mistakes that street photographers make, and how can they avoid them?
VJ: Never succumb to the temptation of staging your shot. The essence of Street Photography lies in capturing everyday life candidly. By staging your shot, not only do you miss out on the challenge of capturing the decisive moment, but you also violate the ethical code of the genre.