Gueules de Parisiens

Camille walks out of the subway, I spot her: gotta stalk her. She goes to an ATM- if I hover around her she’s going to think I’m a pickpocket and I’ll have to go MIA. OMG, WTF do I do ?! FYI, it turns out Camille is super chill and even walks with me for…

David and Yulissa are trying to get out from under the pouring rain: the procession of umbrellas that float over the entire street provide a dry haven for a moment of mirth. I don’ want ot intrude, it would be rude… but I can’t resist, and end up asking them for a shot of the…

Françoise likes the photo project, but what really gets her is the idea of capturing their complicity: “It’s been 20 years since we took a picture together! – That’s a beautiful friendship. Oh, we’re not friends, we’re sisters!“

Every day, morning and night, I’d walk past this newspaper stand without giving it the light of day. That was until I opened my eyes and realized I’d never spoken a word to the man in the stand. Shame on me. “You must have seen some funny things… Tell me, what’s your best memory? –…

Asking permission is proper, not asking is probably better. Often times I spy on people and steal away moments and snapshots. Fleetingly on nimble feet I scurry and capture a flurry of furry fluff. There’s an art to not getting caught. I’ll let you in on a little secret: stare at your screen as if…

I spent the first day of the summer sales sitting on a bench. I stayed there, for hours and hours, without buying anything, shopping wasn’t even on my mind. Just sitting… people watching. Couples: “Hey hun, do you like those sneakers? – They’re alright… but high heels suit you better” Families: “Mommy look! Those ones…

On the other side of the cross walk, I wateched Camille get blown off several times before I eventually walked up to her. I hear the expected “Hello, d’you have a minute?” and debate on just going my way. But Camille flashes me the warmest smile and I decide to go the last mile. She…

My first meeting with a real poet. No Dead Poets Society for this one, this modern day Emily Dickinson plays on her own and I’m pretty sure she even has a Room of One’s Own. Can you recite some of your poetry for me ? She bursts out laughing like I’m crazy. She wants to…

In the end, he agreed to have his picture taken, but at first Serge was ignoring me. Alright buddy, if that’s how you want to play it, I’m game. “One coffee please!” That’s when Serge started fidgeting. Behind the bar he started mulling around, trying to avoid me. When he finally understood I wouldn’t give…

Montmarte is a busy buzzing hive. You can’t hide from the bustling tourists and trashy souvenir traps. I’m on a mission: get out of here. I stumble on a palet, I catch myself… and freeze. “Photo? – Um… Romania!” I show them my camera, they smile. The click of my shutter still sends shivers down…

Thierry reminded me of a gritty pirate with that funny face of his, his pierced ear and that badass Jesus on the wall. I got a whiff of the sea when I walked into the salon – and he sensed something fishy. “Do you need a haircut?” “No, but I would love a pic!” Scissors…

It was cold that day, very cold. Getting my camera out? Don’t even think about it! I was too scared of freezing my fingers off… but that was before I met Gilles and Fabrice. “Real Parisians like walking… rain or shine!” So stopping for a few photos was no biggie for them! Gilles gave his…

I observe them from accross the street. They keep on coming in and out of the café… I think they’re trying to get my attention. So I take the lead and go for it; I ask if I can take a photo. Even though they said “yes”, they’re oblivious to my camera: they just kiss,…

“What do you mean I look nice?!” Well that was certainly the first time I ever saw someone so annoyed by that compliment. I must have looked flabbergasted because Alain rushed to explain: “It’s just that I’ve worked my whole life to look angry and it doesn’t seem to be working! I tell you what,…

“We’re closing, please leave the building!” Mr. Manager, I’ve barely arrived and you’re already asking me to leave? I’m sorry, not happening. We fiddle around and pretend we’re packing up but we stay planted on the stairs. My three accomplices set off again, the clicks of the shutter synchs to the beatbox… I’m grooving until…

Maybe that’s what we should remember: A sea of bright smiles and flags painted on cheeks. The bursts of laughter and excited shouts. The “aahhhh !!!” that shook the tables at the pub and the beer-soaked pavement. Energy bursting at everyone’s seems – a brotherhood rediscovered. Thank you “Les Bleus” (French National Football Team) for…

“Yes, I am a true born Parisian! I love this city.”: her finger shoots up to the sky and her heart is wide open. Her whole family starts teasing me: “She’s a major celeb you know – a real star!” I know they’re joking but something tells me there is some truth to that. I…

“I do like Mother’s Day but… my favorite holiday is Valentine’s Day. By FAR” Because at Abdel’s shop, for Valentine’s Day you don’t leave with just a bouquet : “I always sneak som extra petals in the bag… to put on the bed you know.” He pauses and I see a twinkle in his eye:…

“Cool hair lady! Is it a wig? And are those real tatoos? In any case you guys look great together! Are you dating?” I’m on fire. This couple is just too cool, I can’t keep my trap shut. Until Rufus closes it gently- but firmly. “You’re cute, but you ask too many questions.” During this…

You’re dying to get inside, huh? Jumping in puddles is one thing but having lunch on a soaked terrace isn’t so fun now is it. I stick out my tongue, they press their nose against the window. I tease them and grab my bag to make believe I’m about to leave… “YES – we win…

People often ask me: “So Stéphanie, how do you pick which Parisians to photograph?” It’s a bona fide hunt: I spy, I eavesdrop, sometimes I pretend to look at a shop window… Oftentimes I scurry past them and then slow down… turn around. In the case of Julien, I trailed him for nearly a mile….

Katia, her friends, and I are launching the “Funky People’s Squad”. The uniform will entail rose-colored glasses, rainbow hair and pop-culture fashion. Together, we’ll provoke parental prejudice and defy dusty decorum. We’ll be a bunch of badass chicks and gregarious gentlemen, we’ll be dealin’ vitamin C and whealin’ on roller skates. In other words, we’ll…

I should have captured the look on Ketloum’s face when I told her: “I’d like to feature you on my blog because I find you beautiful.” Her big black eyes widened and I felt that she was looking for a hidden camera. Her British step-parents were standing right next to us, Keltoum turned to them…

Scents of Paris, an olfactory immersion: 8:30am : Morning Metro, a fragrance for moody Men. 8:40am : Traffic Fumes, a perfume for a fiery Femme. 8:47 : Stinky Stree– wait it actually smells amazing ! I’m still in the street but I just bumped into Kris. His scent is as sweet as his smile and…

I was about to get the check for my Perrier water when he shouts out to the bartender: “Get me your best bottle of rosé – and a glass for the lady!” I decline politely, he doesn’t give up easily: “You don’t say no to a guy like me. – But there’s no taming a…

Meet Hélène. As soon as I met her I fell under her spell: Hélène is a bewitching woman. But when I showed her the picture her smile faded, she was disenchanted: “You’re very sweet, but I look really fat. Unfortunately that’s just the reality of things.” I disagree. That’s her reality. I see a lady…

What if I hadn’t dropped my card? What if I hadn’t stopped to pick it up? We wouldn’t have bumped into each other right when he was openning the door. His name is Jimmy. Jimmy the Postman. For the past 15 years he’s been delivering love letters and invoices alike with the same ringing voice….

“You should take a shot of me with my new purchase! I love goofing around.” Philip is the perfect spokesman for his cabinet of curiosities. That twinkle in his eye shines on his unbridled imagination. “Here you have my monkey skull vase, wonderful isn’t it? I’ve got whozits and whatzits galore You want thingamabobs? I’ve…

Phil is a painter. Today he going to his first meeting with a gallery… “There was no way I was going without her.” He means Livinia. Given the way he has his arm wraped around her I can already picture them in a studio, this muse oozing inspiration as the artists paints. They burst out…

Come rain or snow, Sunday is the day for their weekly mother-daughter outing: they go and feed the ducks at the Luxemburg gardens. Each piece of bread they throw into the pond brings them closer together. They’re obviously fond of each other. So it’s no wonder when I pull out my camera I get a…

Today I adopted a pigeon: A Pigeon Dans Paris. I found it by the subway, where else? What a funny idea Lucien had of naming his brand after this curb-bound bird. “No you don’t get it! Pigeons are basically the original smartphones. Back in the day, they were the city’s most efficient messengers.” So these…

“The rainier the day, the groovier I dress to scare those clouds away.” From the tip of her sneakers to the top of her headband, Maline suffuses the street with glee and like fairy dust. She lets her colors shine bright: “I colored the sneakers, the shoulder pieces as well – you like scales? I…

“I’m just not photogenic, there’s nothing you can do about it!” Maria bursts out laughing. Not so fast lady ; challenge accepted. I take speedy snaps ; it’s nippy out and this Maria Full of Grace has friend waiting for her. Within a minute I call it a wrap. I thank her and turn to…

Here’s your typical traffic jam, your typically narrow Parisian sidewalk… and then a not-so-typical couple in the midst of this mess. “Come on Marthy! Go ahead, be a good boy.” No proper Parisian would stop and stare so I get on my best spy game and start pretending I’m waiting for a bus, I cross…

“All we want is to party.” Paris is a Moveable Feast, it’s written in the books, they sing it in the songs. And last Tuesday thanks to Sophia, I understood what it meant: It means living out loud. It means that all you need is music (and beer?)… And that maybe love can pay the…

“Excuse me sir, I… – Yes I know. You want to take a photo.” Of course he knows. He must be used to people asking to take a picture of him. What he does not know though is that he’s just met Little Miss Chatterbox. I try to find out more about my mysterious man:…

“Hello sir! Can I take a picture of you?” He looks at me, I think I spot a smile and I make out an indiscting mumble : “Yo.” Hmmm. I pick up my instrument of choice, he looks at it, says nothing … I take his “Yo” for a “yes”. He lights a cigarette and…

When she tells me her story, she utters the magic words that make me want to escape. I can hear the hustle and bustle of the streets of New York, I can picture the cnooks and cranies of London town… and THE question burns my lips: So who wins? Empire State, Big Ben or the…

“I’m going to tell you a secret.” Philippe’s mustache quivers and my eyes widen. “Oysters change from one sex to the other. Don’t say that in from of the Pope!” I put down my coffee and take a break to listen. One, five, suddenly it’s been ten minutes. It’s not so much the facts about…

When I ask Momma Bear if I can take a picture of her pack of cubs, she give me a quizzical look: “If you can deal with these rowdy ones, they’re all yours!” It’s funny, they actually look quite calm… until I pull the camera out of my bag. It’s as if I’ve suddenly turned…

“You’ll be the Columbina to my Harlequin…” Marion invites me into his sweet madness so I gladly hop onto the merry-go-round: he promises to teach me loads of tricks and together we will make Paris a Moveable Feast… for real. His best trick is to flatter women in the streets: “Pretty as ever honey!” He…

“You really think he looks friendly?,” I get a laugh and a pat on the shoulder, “that’s because you haven’t spoken to him yet!” Here is a cast of vibrant characters who took Paris by storm a year ago with Italian cuisine as their weapon of choice. From the other side of the Alps they…

Rodrigo is a professional hair stylist and when he wanders through the streets of Paris he gets into everyone’s hair…”and they LOVE it! Everyone knows me around here!” Oh I know Rodrigo, I’ve seen the way to you greet the neighbors and give the waiter a friendly tap on the shoulder. “I’m a hairdresser you…

When I saw Saïd, all he said was: I’m Saïd. Said da boss I said. I swear this wasn’t all in my head.

I spot Seka in his pink jumper. Right in back of him, Pierre is sporting a zebra print cap. I can’t resist the urge to have two strangers pose together – a first. Let’s do it. “Excuse me, could I take a picture of the two of you side by side?” As they turn around…

Serge and I have just spent an hour face to face, glancing at each other above a computer screen and a page of Le Figaro newspaper. He just high-fived the waiter ; clearly, he’s king of this café. Alright, enough of this peek-a-boo nonsense, let’s dive in: “Can I take a photo of you sir?…

You’re sopping wet? Smile about it! March showers soak the sidewalk and add another shade of gray to the grumpy landscape. People walk about staring at the ground to avoid puddles, but I hold my head high armed with my rainboots. No need for an umbrella… until I see Frida. “I just found it under…

Telis is totally down to pose for me but when I crack a joke about his cowboy style, I think he’s offended. Even his dog Lorian suddenly perks up his ears – was that a growl ? “I’m not a cowboy. I’m a philosopher.” I put down my camera and start stuttering an apology: “I…

“I’m a glass blower.” That’s what made Thomas so intriguing. I’m shrouded by the smoke ; time stands still. But his cigarette eventually burned down, his break was over and so was our moment. My rebel without a cause steps back into his shop and out of my viewfinder.

“This is a dream come true for him – he’s always wanted to be a model!” Well that’s a first for me and I’m pumped to suddenly be a dream maker. So I up my game for Titi and Geo: I take shots of them while walking backwards, which makes them smile. I stumble, this…

Japanese 101: your basics begin with one word: “KAWAI!!!”. That’s what Gi squeels when she sees my pink skirt. So far, easy peasy. Then it’s time to take the picture. To say “smile!”, imagine you just slammed a door on your fingers and shout out: “Aie CHiiiiiiZEU!” And like in any good language class there’s…

“I can’t face looking a camera in the eye.”

“Go on, I’ll wait for you here.” My mom catches me starring at William ; she just knows. So I ditch her right then and there to run after this dashing Scottish bloke. William is a bit shy at first… but the more I ask him to pose the more he lets lose, he blooms…

“What’s up? Wanna play some ping pong?” Solid catchphrase. Meet Bakir ; he doesn’t work. To be accurate, he refuses to work. “I mean why work when you can not” He must have noticed the look of confusion on my face, so he starts explaining. “You see miss, I worked in the past… but it’s…

At the first click of my camera, there were only two kids in my viewfinder. Suddenly a third one pops up out of nowhere: “Can I be in your photo as well? » And then… there were four! “Wait for me!” “Me too!” The band of buddies gets so excited that they forgot they it’s…

I love rainy days in Paris, because when I can’t find the sun in the sky, I start looking for it elsewhere. Today, it was Youssef’s face that was beaming down on me. A the crosswalk, the “walk” sign lights up, but he doesn’t rush across right away. He even waits for a second… the…

I overhear her chatting with her girlfriends as they stroll by: ”No way! Did he actually do that ?” A few feet further down the road and into the conversation, it turns into “Forget him girl!”… and ends with a laugh. Even though she’s walking behind me and I can’t see her face, I know…

I spotted Ghani on the platform. He was sitting there, smiling in silence. He was holding a photo book and a slightly dog-eared envelope. Under his cape I spot a camera, hiding under the swaths of fabric. I can’t stop staring but he’s the one who finally breaks the silence: “It’s the cape, isn’t it?…

Am I dreaming or is that a dash of disdain in Angelo’s gaze? That type of disdain you’d have for someone who says they love Paris and yet haven’t ever stepped foot on your turf- turf that is deciedly Parisian. “Seriously? This is your first time at the Puces de Saint Ouen?” I’m this close…

This lady is saucy Sophie. Behind these little round glasses, a lively and mischievous look. Behind this angelic smile, a real busybody. How do I know? Because she’s not a stranger. I decided just once to make an exception for the one person to whom I owe my creativity, generosity and character. Thanks to her,…

“A job? Not in my time honey. Women stayed at home back then…” she extends a hand to my cheek, her gaze falls to the ground weighed down by memories. The saxophone whoops and jolts her out of her reverie: “You know what we did do in my time? We danced!” She grabs an imaginary…

After a long moment of silence, Paris is ready to rise from its ashes. For a while I hadn’t the heart to face my usual grumpy Parisian faces ; it still haches from their hymn for hate. But today, the sound of silence is shaped like a smile. Before laughter and joy reclaim their resonant…

I was wearing a yellow coat. Yellow like the apple he dug out of his personal stash. “Look at how fresh this is, at how vibrant this color is… unusual for this time of the year…. you’re going to hold it and I’ll take a picture of you.” He hands me the apple, arranges my scarf ……

Paris is bleeding, and I am looking for humanity to help heal and dress my wounded city. I just found it at Place de la République. Here I am between Bérénice, Alexandre, Rachida. Their names fade away as we all unite in peace and indignation. I look around: this is my country, this is my nation….

Sophia’s fairy dust sparkles across the Parc Monceau. Today, all the girls are jealous of her birthday outfit. Her pout says “I’m the prettiest”.  It also kind of says “alright leave me alone now” as well. Better watch out Tinker Bell, someone’s taking Neverland by storm.

You can call off the search squad in Wonderland…Alice and Merlin live at rue St Honoré .

It’s not the Louvre. It’s not the Luxembourg Gardens. Maybe the macarons from Ladurée then? Try again! They tease me with a mysterious grin. “What is your favorite thing about Parisian then?” “The cops on roller skates.”  

“How come you’re still here? Aren’t you tired of watching the same show over and over again?” No, I’m not. You can never get enough of Adrien’s exaggerated steps and silly stumbles, his wonky winks and bouts of laughter. This man brings violins to life, banters with birds, breaks into rumba with umbrellas and for a moment…

He tries to hide but everything about him is conspicuous. Jack Sparrow, I’ve got you! This urban pirate ponders for a minute before giving me his approval. Victor, second in command and right-hand-man, smiles at me: “He turned down 3 photographers before you.” – Challenge accepted!” Challenge won.

I had just left the Dali Museum … or so I thought. When I came face to face with KaliKhan, his magnetic gaze and captivating turban drew me right back into a surrealist world. Not to mention the bold statement he throw into the mix: “I paint abstract and crazy things… just like me.” No reality check needed…

The CentQuatre centre is the Mecca for hip-hop dancers ; beats pounding in the heart of Paris. Feet shuffle and prance, hair is ruffled by a twist, a hop and jump.. but in the midst of this Sofian sits. I’ve just spent the last hour shooting his friends ; he has not moved a muscle. He’s been staring…

Like any dignified Western metropolis, Paris has adopted the hipster uniform that will wedge oversized glasses on your nose and button your shirt up to very, very top, lest an Adam’s apple should want to boogie around or a  big breath expand your throat. In this ocean of grey, her green beanie emerged like a shark fin. She…

It’s 3:00pm when I bump into Darell, gobbling up his falafel/breakfast wrap. Sauce spills everywhere… “Sorry, I’ve been djing all night, just woke up. God I’m starving!” Djing huh?  Is it Darell or Pharell? Turns out I’ve got it all wrong. His eyes suddenly light up when I start talking Jazz & Blues… We discuss musical influences, his life in…

“I hope this isn’t going to be published in tomorrow’s paper – if my wife sees this picture I’m a dead man! – Stop it dear, we’re FABULOUS! ” Yes, they are. Definitely the most glorious “non-couple” in Paris.

Cool outfit at 11 o’clock: here I come!  I think to myself : you and I are in for a good old fashion shoot my friend…. but it turns out my prey does not speak a word of French… or English for that matter.  I show him my camera, he nods… but there’s no magic – nada,…

14 years in prison, 10 years in a phone booth and a tongue as sharp as a dagger. “I consider myself dead”, “I always have a gun on me”. Then a smile, something sparks inside. “Around Christmas time, children go ‘Daddy! That’s Santa!’ – I like that! You know what, I admit I am still…

He glances at the picture: “Crazy, mindblowing…” Wow I’ve never aroused so much enthusiasm ; I admit I’m flattered. “No, that’s my email: crazy-mindblowing@ … .com. For you to send me the picture, you know?” That was harsh – a tsunami of shame washes over me, but maybe I’ll get over it with a pain of chocolat baked…

Black shirt: “Dammit dude, the cops are comin’! Let’s get out of here.” Purple shirt: “What about the body?”, he puts his hands over his ears as if to muffle the high pitch of a police siren. My “criminals” are two friends who let their imagination take over reality, every Friday in Le 104’s main hall. I beg my…

Nice shoes! I’m gonna ask that girl where she got them. I look up and… Surprise #1: Clearly, she is not the classic Parisian Fashionista. Forget about the shoes, I want a photo! Surprise #2: when I ask her, she starts looking for money in her wallet… “Er… thanks, that’s nice… but I just want…

While most people cure their hangover with aspirin behind closed shutters, Livia & Alexia fight fire with fire, and get drunk all over again… with music. Their medicine of choice are the tenors, alti & sopranos of the Petit Palais who whisk them away from foggy memories of last night and takes them way back in time to Baroque…

5 bérets, 9 plumed hats, a horde of panamas… and a bed of flowers. Actually, a hat of flowers. Or a flower-hat. I ask Claire if I can take a picture and her husband pipes up: “2 hours ago the flowers were much brighter… She was SPLEN-DID.” He’s right, flowers fade quickly… but class remains.

Paris, January 19th: The sky is gray. Faces are dreary. But Angèle lights up like a rainbow. “You’d think the world is going to a funeral!” She burst out laughter and pays little attention to the haze of offended looks. Maybe her secret lies within those magical goggles through which she can look at Paris and only let its…

The minute I was born, my dad burst out saying: “Gee, she looks like an apple!” Guess what, that’s now my name. (No kidding)

There are two benches in front of the Hôtel Amour. This one and the one on which these ladies’ friend sits: “I’m sorry miss but I ‘m not photo-hygienic !”  So I backed off and cut him clean out of the portrait… for Public Health purposes.

Red shirt, warm smile, yeti hairstyle… I’m so fascinated that I don’t pay attention to his friend’s hints: “Why don’t you take the two of them?”                                                          …

Christian is Belgian. He just returned from a weekend in Angers, but that day I spotted him in le Marais… Still following ? If not, don’t worry, the best part of wandering around is getting lost.  Today, he dressed up for Paris: red trousers and his best bow tie “I want to honour the capital…

When I ask Djippi if I can take his picture, his boss starts teasing at him: “Told ya! You have such a pirate face!” The Pirate. This is how the kids call him at the school cafeteria. “I’m the main attraction at school, every day kids ask me to bring my hook.” That image hovers in…

Sure, Zulfiya is a model. Of course I knew it. I’d spotted her from afar. I’m a little bit intimidated by her beauty… but she’s been waiting there for 5 minutes now- and so have I. Alright Steph, just go for it. It turns out Zulfiya is not your what you might expect from a…

“You’d better come back or I’ll spank you… you pig!” Vincent is not an incredibly rude dude: he’s actually talking to a pig. His farm is called Noah’s Ark on rue Cler : I spot chickens, donkeys, pigs and goats. “Hang on, did you say a goat ? Seriously girl?” I know nothing about farm animals……

“Wait, let me put my mouthguard back on ! “ I dare you to find a Parisian who screams of joy when asked  to be photographed straight  after a sweaty workout….that day, I found Keeya. Jab, Hook, kick …  she’s a machine, but I’m struggling :  ”Um , would you stop you two seconds ?” She looks…

Interior monologue : “Get your camera Steph , those guys have so much swag!! Actually, forget that. Don’t be silly, seek refuge in a café! It’s pouring rain ” Verdict: I pass my way. Wait, no. I turn around … Just in case… to find out that Dyckson just did the same . He puts…

She hands me a business card. I’m about to mechanically slide in my pocket, when I read “Jaunay, Poet-performer”. Her velvet voice, her mysterious look … everything about her screams poetry. She lets me in her romantic world and her eyes start to sparkle as she speaks about her dream: a mosaic of all Parisian…

This is not a graffiti bench. We are not at the exit of a busy metro station. We are in the Paris of Rahme and Mohamed. Around them, children scream, people rush and cars honk…but they stand there, holding hands and enjoying their little bench of heaven. “We just got engaged, we are planning on…

“We had spotted you too… what did you think !? » That’s Rock’s response when I asked him for a couple portrait. town mice and country mice, my funky couple spend time in the French Alps when they need to take a break from the Parisian art scene . No routine for Rock & Dominique……

“Can I take your picture ? ” Hang on, that’s my question! But okay . “Alright, where’s your camera?” – I have no camera , no smartphone …” That’s not a good start…Never mind my picture, I suggest him to check out my blog, and email me but… “I can not read or write –…

Asmaa appears to me like a mirage in the desert … except I’m in the rain, Avenue Montaigne. She is a graceful mystery. “Are you a princess?” I ask. She smiles. Click, click I thank her, and she disappears smoothly… and then I notice she had not answered my question. She disappears smoothly… And I…

“What do you want?” “Your portrait” “Alright. Go for it.” He hands me his card. I read it… “I’m a human being who respects everyone and judges no-one”. I think: “Do priests distribute business cards nowadays?” “I’m not a priest miss. I don’t believe in God. If God existed, he wouldn’t leave the world in…

“Alright, you can take a photo of me…only if you promise to give it back OK!” Jean-Pierre, inventor of the “Portrait-to-Go”

“KEEP THE HELMET ON ! It looks cool on you! “ “You’re right, she’s the coolest girl in Paris.” I look up as the voice rises from the doorstep: Marius the Moustache Dandy has just made his entry. Chloe is in love with Marius … but not too much: “Don’t get too close – she…