Joséphine Löchen, Photographer & Artist
Soft tones, contrasting textures, intimacy. These are the things that characterize the work of Joséphine Löchen - photographer and artist that has already left her footprints in the world of art with her unique and authentic style.
American Vouge, New York Times Magazine, Costume and other internationally known magazines are on the list of Joséphine Löchen's clients. What started as a free time passion and hobby for Joséphine turned out to be her wildly successful career. Inspired by the beauty of everyday situations, as well as art and design, she now creates stunning photographs that capture the heart of many people around the world.
As part of our series Time For Creative Souls where we talk to inspirational people with an own view, we wanted to hear more about Joséphine's background and what inspires her for her art.
Can you tell us more about your background and the journey that led you to discovering your passion for art and photography? Did you always know what you wanted to do?
I was born in Paris in 1989, and I grew up in Marseille, South of France. When I was 23 I integrated in a photographic school in Paris, Gobelins École de l’Image. I got degree and then I moved to Copenhagen because my husband is Danish and I wanted to follow him to Denmark.
Since I was a child I was obsessed with images. I used to keep a journal where I made some collages with commercials and campaigns I found in fashion and design magazines. I got my first camera for my 15th birthday and I started to shoot my daily life. It took me some time before I realized that I wanted to be a photographer. For me it was somehow part of my routine, but I never thought that I could use it as a job.
Where do you seek inspiration for your art work? What places, moments, things inspire you to create?
I seek my inspiration in a lot of different fields. For a very long time it has been Japanese photography and paintings. I am also obsessed with old covers from fashion magazines. French cinema and paintings, and all kinds of design.
A moment of inspiration
Many photographers have a specific expression in their pictures that is typical for them. Which expression is typical for you?
My typical expression is intimacy. I also need to be fascinated by the model to start taking pictures.
Among the selected clients for your work, there are internationally known magazines, such as American Vogue and New York Times Magazine. What is it like to work with such widely known magazines? What do you enjoy the most about the working process?
I think the most interesting part is to share same ideas with the magazines and to get the chance to express yourself. If they get and understand what you want to say, and your message through your medium, it is a real accomplishment.
What has been the most exciting project that you have worked on so far and why?
All my projects in general. I take pictures each day. The most exciting moments are when I press the button and then when I develop my film and that I can start to work on it.
Joséphine has a unique ability to capture the true beauty of things
We like to ask artists about a piece of their work that has a special story behind it. Do you have such one?
Yes I have a special piece. It is a picture I had the chance to exhibit in a gallery in Paris. The picture represents flowers I found in a market in Hong-Kong a few years ago. The flowers are red gladiolus. The light, the colors and shapes make it look as if it was a painting.
What do you find the most challenging about your work and how do you overcome these challenges?
The biggest challenge for a photographer I think is to keep on being naive, to be enraptured and to see the world in a different way. It is when you are enraptured that you create beauty and messages.
Are the other projects/causes/interests besides photography and art creation that you are passionate about?
Other projects are to build a family and take care of people around me.
Soft tones, contrasting textures, intimacy
What are your professional dreams and goals for the future? What is your professional vision?
My professional dream is to spend my whole life taking pictures. Goals in the future would be to work more on personal projects and documentaries.
If you could give one advice to other women that could help them find their own voice, what would it be?
My advice to other women would be to listen to yourself and never let anyone telling you what you have to do. Trust what you feel in the bottom of your stomach and here you have the answer.
Thank you very much for the interview, Joséphine!
➸ Head over to Joséphine's inspiring Instagram account to keep up with her beautiful work.
If you liked reading about Joséphine, you might like our interview with the American artist Kandyce King or our conversation with the Danish travel blogger Nikoline Tengler.
