Born in Paris in 1980, François Coquerel has been photographing since 2006. He works regularly for Slash Magazine, Monocle, Le Magazine Littéraire, the BBC, Seed Magazine, Le Monde de l'Education, etc. His work has been shown in exhibitions in France, the United States, and Germany.

Fond of portraits and landscapes, his work deals with the contradictions between elements such as distance and closeness, detachment and expression, innocence and intensity. His approach to light, composition, colour and subject creates a unique style that he is commonly known for. His subjects are often placed in the center of the photograph, becoming the main focus and operative force behind his photographs.

FJORD: How do you feel the Internet has affected the way you work? Have you changed the style of work you do or the way you present your work based on the way the Internet has changed how photography functions?

François: The Internet actually affected my work a lot. I’m based in Paris, but hardly work in France at the moment. My websites really help to find clients abroad, especially in the US. The thing is that with a world wide market, even if their is a lot of competition, it seems more and more important for me to dig and developp my own style. You’ll have more possibilities to find clients who appreciate your work. You’re not stuck in your small country. I think it really makes your work grow a bit faster.

F: How do you gain inspiration for your work? Where do you look for ideas?

FC: There are ideas everywhere, and you can be inspired by a light for example. There is no special idea in my work; I don’t want to develop something intellectual or clever. It’s more about feelings and unconscious memory. I think that the best way for me to gain inspiration is to keep connected to the privacy of my self. This is the best way to stay open and receptive.

F: What are some of your favorite websites?

You mean on photography? Well, I really like yours. It’s always great when you find an amazing unknown photographer on flickr, too, for example. It happens if you’re ready to spend some time on your computer. Of course their are many personal websites that are really great, but I have to say I’m trying to focus on my own work these days, so I’m not spending a lot of time on the Internet.

F: Do you have any suggestion to help out new and emerging photographers gain exposure? How did you first start to promote yourself and your work?

FC: I am myself a young photographer, still learning how to promote myself, so I don’t know. It’s really difficult, especially when you start from nowhere like I did. I’m not that good at promotion, but I'm getting better. I guess a website is a good start, and entering different photo competitions, too...and winning them of course! The most important thing for me is to be open to other people, different arts, and finally find a kind of new family to work with. People you really trust and love. It’s all about meeting the right person at the right time. And it’s not a question of luck, it’s all about serendipity.

F: Where do you see your work going in the next year and the future in general?

My work is actually evolving a lot these days. Large format really gives me a new direction, too. I want to go on shooting portraits of course, but I’d like to develop more cinematographic photos, too, and start travelling a bit more with my cameras in order to build real series with a strong theme. I’m planning a trip through the US in October and November with a French artist (Caroline Breton) and an american singer (Rio en Medio). That’s really exciting, I just can’t wait to go.