We have a quick chat with fashion photographer Grethe Rosseaux:

When did you pick up a camera for the first time?

2006! I’m not one of those people born with a camera in my hand – instead I ended up in a Bachelor of Arts programme that made photography classes compulsory for two years! That being said, my uncle and father were keen hobbyist photographers and my grandfather’s family owned a cinema so film and photography had always been part of the soundtrack to my life.

Why did you chose a career in photography?

To be honest, I never could’ve imagined that I would end up here. I was hell-bent on going into illustration full-time but there was something about photography that kept pulling me back in with its perfect balance of tech and art. I started out doing time as a wedding photographer, but my passion had always been for the exciting, creative and fast-paced world of fashion.

What inspires you?

First and foremost: light. I am endlessly fascinated by how light presents itself in nature through reflections, refractions, colours, shapes and indeed also shadows. There’s something about light that is untameable and inspiring that I just cannot get enough of.

Furthermore, I find inspiration from just about anything outside of editorial photography from film to aircraft to paintings to music. I rarely work from references and my moodboards are often hand-drawn.

Who inspires you?

Fashion designers like Iris van Herpen, Alexander McQueen and Mugler. I love their blend between sci-fi, architecture, flight and the absolute intentionality and power in their work. On a person level though, my biggest inspirations are my maternal grandparents whose legacies I try to honour through my work.

What would be your dream photographic job?

I think every fashion photographer dreams of the Vogues and the ELLEs and the Bazaars and to be honest, I’m no different. But what it comes down to is that I just want to see the world through my camera lens creating stories celebrating the power and diversity that the fashion world has to offer.

What do you love most about your career?

Getting to work with and create with extremely talented people, travelling and being in great places I normally never would be able to experience in any other profession.

What do you hate the most?

Sexism is way up there, as well as not enough representation of women, trans people, people of different races and body types, LGBTQ+ folks. I wish big brands would cast their nets wider when looking for ambassadors as there is a wealth of talent outside of the current demographic. I will always advocate for fair and ethical treatment on and off sets.

What has changed the most in your outlook since the pandemic started?

I’ve come to realise that people crave art even (especially!) in the most dire of times. Paradoxically, art had simultaneously increased and diminished in value and I’ve personally felt within my own work that I’m constantly on a knife’s edge where it can swing either way. I think a lot of it has to do with the current general mental state of the world: some days are better than others and we see the ups and downs within the art world just as profoundly as anywhere else.

What would you do to make a positive change to the field of professional photography?

I’m a fashion and beauty retoucher as much as I am a photographer and with that comes a lot of responsibility. I try to retouch in a way that honours the model instead of alter them in a way that is unattainable or unrealistic. Through “ethical retouching” (or even no retouching at all!) I believe we can change modern beauty standards into a more realistic, approachable and kind space.

Do you think there should be a Union for photographers?

Honestly, I’m not sure. With the subjectivity of art and the subjective choices made by clients, I think standardisation of any kind would be difficult, if not impossible.

What gets you up in the morning?

Simple pleasures. A cup of tea, my cats, the sunrise over the mountains in my back yard, hanging out with my husband, friends and family on the weekends. Finding a work-life balance is difficult, but I think I’m getting better at it.

Do you think Instagram has changed photography for the good or for the worst?

Both. While I love that social media creates a platform for photographers to get their work seen and to discover new inspiring art, it’s also become a never-ending tsunami of content that isn’t always healthy or productive. I also think influencer culture could be unhelpful to photographers on both a professional and personal level.

What do you do to relax?

I spend most of my time writing for fun as most of my creative pursuits are part of the never-ending hustle.

If you could be anywhere in the world, doing anything, what would you do?

I would be in Switzerland, flying a fighter jet through the Alps!

What do you listen to when you are retouching?

The loudest, noisiest dance music I can find. I have a few go-to mixes by the likes of Technikal and The Fat Rat. I basically put on a rave in my head and just have at it!

Location or studio, what do you prefer?

Both, but I’m more of a location girl – I feel you can tell better stories through a cool location!

Any wise words for would be photographers?

Take up space. Believe in your voice. Don’t shoot for likes on social media.