Laurent Castellani is a photographer and videographer from Nantes, originally from La Rochelle. After studying in law school and graphic design school, this artist began his professional career in a studio as a digital web designer and graphic designer in the luxury sector, a profession that he will exercise as a freelance since 2003. It does not. is that in 2016 that he invests in photo/video equipment with, as a personal objective, to make 2 films per year? In 2017, the strength of his video projects, his Instagram account is gaining popularity. Alongside this, he takes photographs inspired by the world of fashion and femininity.
The public's enthusiasm? Laurent owes it to his Mulholland photo series, created in August 2018. Moreover, many commercial brands then contacted him to collaborate with him. Collaborations that he renounces for some of them because of his agoraphobia (fear of places where it would be difficult or embarrassing to escape or be rescued).
Disgusted with the world and the fashion industry, which he considers too stereotypical and "bad" for the planet, Laurent produces minimalist portraits of female models filled with simplicity, beauty, and neutrality. “Fashion messes up the planet, it's morally and ethically ridiculous. She's stereotypical, not a legend. We only produce beautiful images at the expense of many things ... Femininity represents strength and beauty. Women are stronger than men, in my opinion. He tells us. "I don't like the image of handsome, narcissistic role models. I am more commuters who don't pay attention to them. »He adds. The artist plays on natural light to bring softness to these shots, he sometimes likes to make them dreamlike by using small details and contradictions such as nudity, clothes from other eras, blur, colored lights primary… He avoids superfluous. To do this, he usually "crops" at 80% of his shots to keep only the essentials.
His future projects? He quotes them: "My plan is to make a Reservoir Dogs film by Quentin Tarantino. Four guys who meet at home to prepare for a robbery. 100% testosterone! I also plan to release a 112-page book, at the end of October-beginning of November, normally, if the post-covid-19 situation allows it, presenting a series of photos of various strange places in Nantes in which I stage models. He said. Strongly!
http://www.laurentcastellani.com/
