Olivier Meier Creates Poetic Portrait Photography
What makes a good portrait? It’s a common question, and answers are seldom the same. For me, a good portrait is when I can feel the energy of the subject. A good portrait makes me look for longer than a glance and teaches me something about the person in the image — it also allows me to learn more about the photographer. In this piece, Them Frames is highlighting portrait photographer Olivier Meier.
Sometimes it only takes one photograph for me to fall in love with the work of a photographer. That’s what happened when I saw a portrait made by Meier. The eyes of his subject, a black woman so beautifully lit, held my gaze, I struggled to look away.
As a writer, it may be foolish to admit I struggle to put my thoughts about Meier’s works into words. Perhaps it’s because I’m yet to understand the elevated feelings I have when browsing his portfolio. Could it be that his photography is bringing new emotions to the surface, emotions I’m yet to process?
A good portrait not only has the potential to teach us about the subject and the photographer, it can also teach us about ourselves and how we connect to other humans.
That’s likely the best way to describe Meier’s portraiture: it teaches. Passing on teachings, in any form, is one of the most beautiful things we can do for each other.
It’s now time to learn more about Meier. Beyond his history in portrait photography he will also share his experience making video content and his NFT photography collection, REBEL.
Them Frames: Hey Olivier! What inspired you to first pick up a camera?
Olivier Meier: Two things really. I always thought photographers were the coolest people in the room. Some people gravitate to an instrument, others to a pen, it was a camera for me. The second is, we forget more than we remember. I did not want to leave the stories of my life up to memory alone.
Them Frames: Talk to us about your personality. Who are you on a day-to-day basis and how do you feel that influences the work you create?
Olivier Meier: I’m the same joyous, angry, supporting, jealous, generous, ego-driven person as everyone else really. Sometimes I want that big mess in a photo and sometimes not. In some sense I feel like that bird singing his song on one branch, only to break away mid song to another branch with a new tune and so on. You can see this in my photography because I refuse to commit to any single style or look.
Them Frames: What does portrait photography give you on an emotional and mental level?
Olivier Meier: Photography is what I need to do, to feel good. It can be a photo of a spoon, because I like the light, it doesn't matter. This took me over a decade to realize and it was my wife who summarized that first sentence.
Them Frames: Tell us what a model could expect from a shoot with you. How do you approach a session to ensure you get the most of your subject?
Olivier Meier: A genuine interest in who you are, even if I know I will never shoot with you again. Respect, not only for your body but your expression as an artist. Most of all a search for connection. Someone who gets me and vice versa. Creativity just flows then. Sometimes I have a concept in mind. Sometimes just a location, a verb and a mood. It depends on the branch I’m sitting on and the song I’m singing.
Them Frames: There’s a portrait of yours I absolutely adore, it’s of a black woman shot in low key lighting. Can you tell us more about the subject, the shoot and why you shot in this way?
Olivier Meier: It’s a very close friend of mine who doesn’t really pose for photographers. When we first met, three years before this photo, I already had this photo in my mind. The lighting, the expression everything. She’s a very special person to photograph because she has no real experience posing and puts her entire trust in me that I won’t make her look like a fool. This photo belongs to that handful of photos that I will never forget making.
Them Frames: I’m sure even seasoned photographers like yourself make portraits you wish you had done differently. Please can you share an example of that and outline why you’re not fully satisfied with the image and what you would do differently?
Olivier Meier: I’ve struggled with this question all week, which is odd because I am a person who regrets many things yet it doesn’t apply to the photos I make. I struggled with this question because it doesn’t fit into the way I make photos. I never chimp, mainly because I was shooting film a lot when I got into portraiture. When I look at my photos at the end of a shoot I see what works and what doesn’t and what doesn’t is discarded. I don’t give it much thought really. I leave that for what works.
Them Frames: The REBEL Collection: From all your portraits you’ve taken over the years, what was the process like getting down to the final selection?
Olivier Meier: I had a few different verbs written down and I found one or more in each photo. It was very important that we never really saw the model’s face either, so a viewer could relate it to themselves. I’ve got a video on my site which goes deeper into the collection.
Them Frames: NFT photography is saturated with vibrant landscapes and pretty composites. Your portraits are dark, raw, black and white and a little rough around the edges, in a good way. That said, were you concerned your works may not fit the current trends within the NFT photography space?
Olivier Meier: No. My photography projects have and will be made if NFT was a thing or not. I do NFTs because it would be pretty dope to find a patron who likes my vision and style enough to buy my photography and be part of my journey as a photographer.
Truth be told, I would be surprised if my photography sold. I can’t do the shilling thing really. I’ve tried and it doesn’t feel good. It shifts the power dynamic in such a way, that is not respectful to something I do which makes me feel good. I will still try to figure out a way to promote my work which doesn’t take away from my character.
Them Frames: We’re going to get into your YouTube channel. Your energy in front of the camera feels very natural and has a little splash of dramatic impact which I think adds more depth to your presenting style. Before we get into the content, do you have a background in acting?
Olivier Meier: No I do not.
Them Frames: While on the right path, I feel as though you’re still finding your feet and voice in the world of YouTube photography content. Is that a fair assessment and what type of direction would you like to take your channel?
Olivier Meier: Yes you are right. All my creative endeavors are plagued a little by that bird flying from one branch to another. My YouTube Channel is no exception.
Two things are clear:-
1. I love engaging with people about photography and I’ve had some of my favorite interactions with other photographers in the comments section of my YouTube channel.
2. I believe in the “everyday artist”. The 9-5 office worker, parent of two who happens to own a camera and take beautiful photos of his or her life. That’s the person I think of when I make my videos.
Them Frames: From your latest YouTube video it looks like you live in the middle of nowhere. Is that right and how does that impact how often you shoot and where and what you shoot?
Olivier Meier: Yes. At the moment we are in Greece. Uncertain for how long. I haven’t done any portrait sessions here and have been focussing much more on my “everyday photography”. Of course my wife, my favorite model, is always with me and we’ve got a few shoots planned, but they are still in planning.
Them Frames: Finally, please finish this sentence, I need photography in my life because…
Olivier Meier: I cannot even imagine a life without it. I’ve tried and I don’t get past a certain point.
You can see more work from Olivier Meier by visiting his website, Twitter, YouTube and SuperRare.
Copy edited by Sarah Jane.
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