Hello my lovelies how are you? First off thank you for all the love on my Copenhagen photodiary post, I really love creating content that you enjoy 🙂 I haven’t done an interview since my last interview bonanza (here, here and here) and so I have a special treat for you, especially if you are a David Bowie fan.

You may not know his name but I’ll bet you know his work. If you’ve ever picked up Vogue, Harpers Bazaar, GQ, Tatler or Vanity Fair, then chances are you have encountered Michel Haddi. French born Haddi  has photographed Debbie Harry, Angelina Jolie, Johnny Depp and David Bowie, to name a few. Artistic, raw, creative, intense and real are some of the words I think of when I look at his photography, particularly in his latest book of unseen images of David Bowie called, The Legend. I was fortunate (read blessed) enough to be able to interview this creative genius and so I hope you enjoy 🙂

How did you become a photographer?

In Paris in the late 70’s then, I became an Assistant in London

There are different types of photography; portrait, wedding, travel etc. What is it about fashion that pulls you and keeps you coming back?

The great thing about fashion, it’s to create a story from some frocks or not. I suppose it’s an extension of images that can be related to a film. By the way there is no difference between portrait, wedding or travel as I did all of these for all magazines and advertising. All there is it’s a good image or a bad image

Where do you get your inspiration from to compose the picture?

Movies, painting, ballet, politics and everything of the above. Poetry or even everything that is not politically correct. In brief, the life of us humans.

What is it about photography that you enjoy?  

The freedom to create always pushing the boundaries a bit further.

What’s your most memorable photo shoot?

Maybe to do a fashion story in Yemen with an all team from England and USA in Yemen two years after the civil war.

Photography is an art form; what are some common misconceptions that you believe people have?

For the mass photography is not yet an art form as you print and reprint the same images, but we are moving in the right direction and eventually in the next 50 years photography will be seen as a major art form, as big as paintings.

David Bowie

You’ve published a couple of books, the latest being a tribute to David Bowie. What message are you sending to the reader?

Achieve your goals. Don’t be shy just do what your heart is telling you. Plus have no fear to put money on the table to achieve your dreams.

Photography tells a story with images, what’s the story you want people to know about David Bowie?

A very charming guy, very much a gentlemen, a very sleek artist.

Finally, what makes your heart sing?

My family, my children, the girl I love and my friends. Plus not the least doing sports as much as I can (meaning 7 days a week).

If you’re a huge David Bowie fan,and would love to get your hands on this book, you can purchase it here.

As always thank you for reading and don’t forget to follow to keep up to date with Work in Progress.

Until next time, be well

x