Have you ever felt that weariness when searching for a poster for your decor? Tired of the impersonal photos you see in every home? Of graphics seen a thousand times before?
That’s what inspired me to create posters from my photos.
I have the opportunity to travel to beautiful places and take beautiful pictures. It’s my job. So why not use some of them to create original posters?
I chose to start with the beach at Saint-Jean-de-Luz. This wonderful town in the French Basque Country is pure bliss. The mild climate and the power of the Atlantic Ocean will enchant you with every visit.
The choice of photos is very subjective for me.
It naturally corresponds to places that resonate with me, that have evoked a certain emotion. This beach in Saint-Jean-de-Luz brings to mind a sweet moment spent with my partner and my youngest son. Once chosen, the image is edited using Illustrator, applying flat colors, a title, and a few adjustments.
The posters are available in 50×75 cm format on Fuji Crystal archive paper, renowned for its color reproduction. Printing is done by the Whitewall lab. Each print is checked by me before final shipping.
So don’t hesitate any longer and head to my online shop to get yours.
Serendipity in photography is an exhilarating and profoundly transformative experience. The unexpected unfolds before your lens, igniting a spark of joy in the heart of the photographer. It embodies the essence of a “happy accident” or a “lucky shot”. It births a mesmerizing image that often surpasses the wildest dreams and intentions of its creator. You then capture the sheer magic of the moment in a way that resonates deeply.
A natural phenomenon
This phenomenon is joyfully linked to the nature of the medium. In painting, where every element is deliberately placed. In the opposite, photography embraces a mechanical process that captures an external reality full of vibrant change. As such, the resulting image is always open to delightful surprises.
Preparation and knowledge are the keys
However, serendipity is not merely dumb luck; as the saying goes, “Chance favors the prepared mind.” For a photographer, preparation involves:
Mastering Technical Skills: A deep understanding of the camera allows for a swift, intuitive response when an unexpected moment arises. This means having complete command of the exposure triangle — aperture, shutter speed and ISO — so you never miss the decisive moment.
Patience and Awareness: The willingness to wait, observe, and be fully present in the moment is crucial. Then you’ll act spontaneously.
In genres like street photography, serendipity pulsates as the vivid heartbeat of every image. The photographer should be ever ready to capture that extraordinary “decisive moment”. It comes when light, subject, and composition fervently unite in a breathtaking, unforgettable spectacle. Paris is one of the best cities on earth for this kind of photography — every street corner is an invitation.
Ultimately, serendipity breathes an intoxicating authenticity into a photograph, transforming a meticulously crafted composition into an irreplaceable masterpiece and igniting within the photographer the exhilarating realization that the most profound artistic triumphs often arise as delightful, unexpected treasures from the universe.
A rare, very rare surprise!
Among the 11,000 images that make up my library, only two have profoundly amazed me with their results. The first is a photo taken in London.
We were in the midst of the blue hour and I intended to capture the energy of this street, the multitude of colors.
In the first image, a taxi appears in motion and a bus is arriving in the background.
Capturing a perspective
I find this image interesting; however, the one taken a few seconds later is, in my opinion, much more so.
However, it is chance that led to this result, and it was while editing that I realized the energy it emanates.
A unexpected bus comes in the frame
The second occasion when serendipity played a role was during my visit to the exhibition dedicated to Robert Doisneau in Paris.
Focus is the key
The attitude of this woman amused me, her way of observing the photos.
I took a first image, then moved and framed it vertically. Using a fixed focal length forced me to pay attention to my framing and position in the manner of a Cartier Bresson.
Once again, it’s back to the studio where the editing revealed the potential of this second shot. A few adjustments to the contrast and lighting, and here is the image. My Leica worked wonders in capturing this range of grays like no other.
And you, have you had such experiences, where the photographic spirit has reached you and allowed you to create unexpected images that you are particularly proud of? Leave your comments.
Hello everyone, today is the first episode of the series that will be dedicated to developing my photography business.
Firstly, I will tell you about my current situation. Then, I will discuss my project. After that, we will look at the business plan I’ve made. Finally, we will review the structure of my company.
Next, we’ll discuss the services I actually offer. We will outline the revenue goals for five years. I will also describe the personal organization I’m putting in place to achieve them…
I plan to give you an update each month, explaining the difficulties I face, what’s working… I would also be very interested in hearing about your own experience and answering your questions.
Here we go for this first episode!
From where I start
I started photography in 1984. I was a young teenager then, and I remember borrowing my mother’s compact camera to take a landscape photo. I have never stopped practicing since. I started first with slides and then moved to digital for almost twenty years. This means I now have a stock of more than 11,000 photos.
Although this passion has always driven me, I never dared to take the plunge and make it my professional activity. I became a hospital director without much conviction and without truly fulfilling myself. Over the years, I’ve supplemented my photo library during travels. I added photos during my professional career in Brittany, the Antilles, and many other places in France.
Mardi gras at Fort de France
I was strongly disappointed by the hospital environment. After a long discussion with my partner, I decided to develop my photography business full-time. I have only a few weeks left before that’s the case. I must admit that I’m spending more and more time on the studio’s operations.
What do you think about the fact of leaving a bull s**t job ? Comment below.
What I expect
I opted for the micro-entrepreneur status a few years ago. This form of business, specific to France, simplifies the administrative and tax procedures. The possible revenue is capped at €77,700 (a little over $90,000). However, this amount will be sufficient for my first few years.
In your opinion, is making 90k a realistic goal as a freelance photographer ? Comments wellcome.
My offers
On the services side, selling my photos as fine art photography is the foundation. However, I know it will only represent a small fraction of my income.
Here is how I plan to monetize my business:
Revenue generated by traffic on my sitewww.photovag.art via Google AdSense
Revenue generated by graphic design, video, and audio production services
Revenue generated by drone videos
Will you expect much from a freelancer ?
How much money ?
In terms of revenue, I expect to achieve €8,000 in 2027 with a 10% growth every year after. This gives me all of 2026 to build my offer.
That’s where I am today. After more than thirty years as an employee, I’ve decided to start my own business. The risk is calculated. In any case, I think there is nothing more pleasant than living for and by your passion.
If you are a passionate landscape photographer or a street photographer, this new magazine is for you. Every first Saturday of the month, I invite you to join me online. We’ll discuss about technical questions, like composition rules, the photography triangle. We’ll see what the equipment I use or plan to buy. Of course we’ll talk about great photographers who inspire me, and many other topics.
This magazine is also yours, so don’t hesitate to interact, suggest topics, comment photovag.landscape@gmail.com
I’m working hard on this first issue. As a landscape photographer I spend time on the field, but also in the studio.
I chose to create a dedicated introduction; you will find here how I built the design. It took me quite a bit of time because I wanted to achieve professional quality.
It was then necessary to create the sections, write the texts, record them, and then illustrate the articles. Photography is an ulimited source of inspiration, so I choose to talk about landscape photographer issues.
Finally, the sequences need to be realized, edited, and posted online. Since I have a deadline, everything must be completed by September 4th. After a final check, I will be able to launch this first issue.
As a perfectionist, I find it difficult to be fully satisfied. I also tend to fine-tune the details. The September issue will not be perfect, and each month will be an opportunity to evolve this new media.
Parfois, les exigences professionnelles vous conduisent loin de votre “chez vous”. Ainsi, depuis près de 10 ans, j’ai parcouru de nombreux endroits en France, jusqu’aux #Antilles. Mais je n’ai jamais ressenti l’authenticité de chez moi, là où j’ai grandi, jusqu’à il y a quelques mois…
Aujourd’hui, de retour à #Paris, je retrouve mes habitudes, mes adresses, mes amis.
Nouveau job, nouvelles responsabilités, nouveau logement, cela fait naturellement beaucoup de changements. Ceux-ci ont eu pour conséquence de mettre mon activité de photographe de côté.
Vers un nouveau studio
Depuis septembre, je me suis établi #Rive gauche à Paris près de #Montparnasse, le quartier des artistes. Quel plaisir de déambuler dans ce quartier de Paris, où les cafés jouxtent les théâtres, où au détour d’une ruelle se cachent des ateliers d’artistes comme celui du sculpteur #Bourdelle à l’ombre d’un des plus emblématiques #gratte-ciel de la capitale. Quel terrain de jeu fabuleux celui de la gare où les voyageurs se pressent en cette période de congés !
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Un été de réflexion
C’est aussi l’occasion de repenser mon activité de photographe. Depuis plusieurs mois, je n’ai pas pris le temps de publier des images, de tourner des vidéos, de mettre mes porto-folios à jour (Adobe stock, Getty, Shutterstock et Fine Art America). Désormais, chacune des images sera publiée sur ma vitrine Flickr (lien), puis sera déclinée sur les 3 plates formes de stock et sur le site web, où elle fera l’objet d’un article décrivant son histoire, les conditions de prise de vue…
Naturellement, chaque image pourra être achetée en ligne en format 28 x 21 ou en version Fine Art, limitée à 30 exemplaires au format 40 x 30. Vous pourrez également commander des tirages en ligne sur notre galerie Fine art America.
Dès que j’en aurai l’occasion, je ne manquerai de réaliser une vidéo présentant toutes ces nouveautés. Ce sera également l’occasion de présenter le programme de la rentrée, qui je l’espère, pourra être prêt pour septembre. A très vite.
Déambuler un soir d’automne
Je me suis offert un Leica Q2 il y a quelques semaines après un long moment de réflexion dont je parle ici, et il est naturellement presque toujours dans mon sac à dos.
C’est ainsi qu’en sortant d’une réunion tardive, j’ai pu découvrir un magnifique point de vue sur la Tour Eiffel…
Je suis particulièrement fier de cette photo qui reflète mon état d’esprit. Evidemment, la douceur des images produites par Leica y est pour beaucoup dans la réalisation de cette image.
Transforming Challenges into Art: A Photographer’s Journey in Paris
Sometimes, professional demands take you far from your “home.” For nearly 10 years, I’ve traveled to many places in France, all the way to the #Caribbean. But I never felt the authenticity of home, where I grew up, until a few months ago…
Today, back in #Paris, I reconnect with my habits, my favorite spots, and my friends.
New job, new responsibilities, new home—these are naturally a lot of changes. As a result, my photography work has taken a back seat.
Towards a New Studio
Since September, I have settled on the Left Bank in Paris near Montparnasse, the artists’ district. What a pleasure it is to stroll through this neighborhood of Paris, where cafes adjoin theaters, and around the corner of a street, workshops of artists like the sculptor Bourdelle are hidden in the shade of one of the capital’s most iconic skyscrapers. What a fabulous playground the station is, where travelers are hurrying during this holiday season!
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A Summer of Reflection
It is also an opportunity to rethink my activity as a photographer. For several months, I haven’t taken the time to publish images, shoot videos, or update my portfolios (Adobe Stock, Getty, Shutterstock, and Fine Art America). From now on, each image will be published on my Flickr showcase (link), then will be adapted for the 3 stock platforms and on the website, where it will be featured in an article describing its story, the shooting conditions, etc.
Naturally, each image will be available for purchase online in 28 x 21 format or as a Fine Art version, limited to 30 copies in 40 x 30 format. You will also be able to order prints online from our gallery Fine Art America.
As soon as I have the opportunity, I will make a video presenting all these new features. It will also be an opportunity to present the fall program, which I hope will be ready by September. See you soon.
Strolling on an Autumn Evening
I treated myself to a Leica Q2 a few weeks ago after a long period of reflection, which I discuss here, and it is naturally almost always in my backpack.
That’s how, after leaving a late meeting, I was able to discover a magnificent view of the Eiffel Tower…
I am particularly proud of this photo, which reflects my state of mind. Of course, the softness of the images produced by Leica greatly contributes to the making of this image.
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