Evolving Intimacy
02
Capturing Joëlle’s
Artistic Growth
Client Project
Portrait Photography
Artist
Joëlle
Year
2023
Mission
Capturing Joëlle’s artistic growth while remaining authentic to her true self.
Outcome
A set of 20 intimate and very personal portraits with a mix of black-and-white portraits with a slightly harsher edge and color portraits that lean more into intimacy.
Bridging artistic past and future
Joëlle, an emerging music artist from Leipzig, has captivated audiences with her deeply personal and evocative music. Describing her songs as “diary entries,” Joëlle's music resonates profoundly with listeners, offering a window into her soul.
Having released a debut album and built a growing fanbase, Joëlle now faces a common artistic challenge: evolving her public image while remaining true to her essence. Her current visual representation needs to reflect her artistic growth while preserving the authentic connection that her audience values.
Setting the scene
I chose a studio in Leipzig with character, avoiding a traditional, clinical space in favor of a setting that offered warmth and personality.
The photoshoot was conducted in two phases: an indoor session lasting about two hours and an outdoor segment for an additional half hour.
Following the shoot, the editing process commenced—a crucial phase in which I meticulously select and refine the images. From an initial batch of over 500 photographs, I carefully narrowed the selection through several rounds, ultimately arriving at 20 exceptional images.
Each photo was processed with an analogue film emulation: Agfa RSX II for color images and Ilford Delta 400 for black-and-white, while giving it an additional and final retouch. This approach ensured that the final portraits achieved the desired balance of sophistication and intimacy.
Custom emulation of analog color film. Color images enhance the sense of warmth and closeness.
Custom emulation of analog black & white film. Black-and-white shots offer a more dramatic and refined edge.
A blend of maturity and personal touch
The result of this project was a collection of 20 portraits that featured a thoughtful mix of black-and-white and color images.
The final portraits are a harmonious blend of maturity and personal touch, perfectly suited for Joëlle’s new website and promotional materials.
“Simon immediately understood what I had envisioned and has an incredible eye for the right angles and moments. The final photos were delivered faster than expected. I’m thrilled with his work and recommend him without hesitation.”
Joëlle
