IN THE STUDIO WITH PHOTOGRAPHER SOPHIE ROUILLON
French-born photographer Sophie Rouillon spent 10 years in the finance industry in London before moving to Hong Kong and embarking on a career as a full-time freelance photographer. Her images span topic matter as diverse as children and family portraits, big city street shots and exotic portraits and landscapes. We had a chat with her to find out what life is like behind her lens.
Hi Sophie, can you tell us how your passion for photography began?
Photography has been a passion of mine since childhood. I would spend hours looking at the pictures of the National Geography magazines. I have always been fond of street and travel photography. I got my first camera when I was ten years old and as a teenager, I used to develop my own black and white pictures both at home and at the photo club of the lycée (school). I then took photography classes/workshops at various venues, including Central Saint Martins College of Arts and Design in London and more recently with Magnum Photo Agency and the prestigious Harcourt Studios.
How has your photography evolved over the years?
I started with street and travel photography and I still love doing it. Once I became a mother I had the best models to get started with kids portraiture!
Since the set up of my photo business three years ago, my natural light portraits have a candid style and I shoot based on instinct. I try to catch the decisive moment as defined by Henry Cartier-Bresson. You have to be fast with kids!
I am now doing more adult posed portrait with studio lights. For this, I need to work on the psychological level to get the best of my models. It’s a different exercise but also very rewarding visually and intellectually.
What made you decide to leave the finance industry and pursue photography as a full-time job?
In 2012, my last shop closed their HK office within a day leaving over 200 persons jobless. Although I loved my job as a financial analyst and I was successful at it, I got tired of the instability of the industry so I decided to take a break. Within a month I was pregnant with my number three! That’s when I decided to give a go at photography. I got lucky with immediate success, maybe because my style is somewhat different to what was available in the local market. I wanted to enjoy this journey and see where its going to take me, so I got reluctant at going back to full-time job.
However, I do consultancy work as a financial analyst and am hoping to find the right balance between consultancy, photography and family. But that’s a very challenging goal!
What was the hardest part about starting out as a freelance photographer?
The hardest part was my “coming out” as a photographer! I did post a first set of pictures on my newly created Facebook page “Sophie Rouillon Photography”. It was like putting myself naked in front of everybody with my emotions and what was close to my heart. That was SO unlike my previous career in the banking industry! I was being open to criticism and that terrified me but I had to make that jump. Luckily the feedback was positive and constructive and that helped me build confidence to carry on.
What is a typical workday like for you?
I start my day with checking mails and replying to clients.
If I have a shoot, I prepare my camera and all the gear (check battery is full, clean lens, empty memory card etc) and go on site to meet the client. After the shoot, I would upload the pictures on the computer and start editing the following day. I need a break from the shoot and can’t edit the pictures straight away like I need to digest the moment.
If I don’t have a shoot on the day, then I would work on the pictures of the latest shoots. Selecting the pictures, and editing them takes many hours. I also spend time reading articles and books about photography techniques and looking at pictures from other photographers.
How do you know when you have the ‘perfect shot’, or does that even exist?
I don’t know about getting the perfect shot. I feel you can always improve in terms of light, composition etc…but I know when I managed to get the right expression and that’s very important for portrait. It’s a wonderful feeling. There is work on the interpersonal level to create a connection with the model, so you are able to capture an expression. For street and travel photography, I try to shoot based on decisive moment. Very often but not always, I see in my mind the photo that I am about to take.
How important is your website and social media to your business?
It’s very important as it is my primary source of marketing. I am very active on social media and I get a lot of new clients through that source. You need to have a website as a showcase to your work.
Are there any areas of your business you would love to improve?
Yes so many! I want to experiment with new techniques and I would like to do more studio work and also start an artistic project. I also would like to do more commercial work: I find it interesting to work on the project in order to convey a predefined message. But this takes time and I don’t want to rush any of this.
Do you have any advice for other photographers out there who are trying to pursue their passion as a career?
It is a very competitive world in Hong Kong and It’s all about hard work and being persistant. There are so many long hours going behind the scene. People don’t necessary appreciate this. You certainly have to enjoy what you do, otherwise that’s going to show in your work.
And last but not least, can you shine the spotlight on one other female creative entrepreneur in your community who inspires you?
Hong Kong is a great place to get a business started and there are many inspiring and talented entrepreneurs. I love the work of Isabelle Demenge, the creator of Leap&Hop, a series of interactive cultural travel books for children aged from 8 to 12. Isabelle also left the banking industry to start her own successful business, related to what she loves in real life and that’s also Kids and travel! Her books are colourful with beautiful illustration by Emile Sarnel. They invite children to discover and understand different cultures through various smart and fun activities. There is a tremendous amount of research and creativity in each book, and they are so much fun for the kids. Isabelle has now written 10 books covering many Asian countries, and also Paris and New
Learn more about Sophie Rouillon Photography and please show your support!
www.sophierouillon.com
www.facebook.com/sophierouillonphotos
instagram.com/sophierouillon88
www.pinterest.com/sophierouillon
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