WOMEN 365

20 YEARS – 365 WOMEN

At a time when women’s rights are once again increasingly under pressure, I couldn’t think of a better way to celebrate my 20-year anniversary of EMO PHOTO than with a selection of portraits of the women I have photographed over the past two decades.

When I started out in 2006, I had nothing but a simple camera (my first Canon digital camera, the Rebel!), no formal training beyond a few evening courses with my mentor-to-be, photographer Bernard Landon, and a natural curiosity—one that was eager to be surprised.

Bernard taught me how to play with light and how to capture it.

My curiosity taught me how to see it.

I hope you’ll enjoy this series of portraits of some of the incredible women I’ve had the chance to photograph. For me, a good portrait is the beginning of a conversation. Enjoy the exchange. 🙂

WOMEN 365 - DAY 1 - INEKE, 2008

THE STORY My mother, Ineke, was visiting from Holland when one of my studio clients cancelled at the last moment. I said, “Come on, Mom, let’s do some photos in the studio.” She wasn’t too keen at first, but finally agreed — and what followed was a magical photo session in my studio, then still hidden in the basement of my house, where something quietly shifted. Our relationship moved from mother and daughter to two women facing one another. She allowed herself to be seen in her femininity — not as a mother, but simply as a woman. She passed away in 2022. I miss her every day. THE LESSON Look at people — even those closest to you — with an open mind, to truly see them. And never, ever stop telling them how much you love them.

Black and white portrait of a woman with long hair wearing a patterned top.

WOMEN 365- DAY 2- OLIVIA 2006

THE STORY I had just finished setting up my photo studio in the basement of my house. It was my very first session using studio lights, and I remember being so nervous that my head was spinning. But from the moment the session began, I was hooked. Even though I love working with natural light, I realised that with studio lighting I was not only the photographer, but also the sculptor. THE LESSON Famed photographer Annie Leibovitz once said that when you look at a good portrait, it feels as if the photographer is not there, but that there is an instant connection. I couldn’t agree more.

WOMEN 365- DAY 3 - BAUDAT, 2009

THE STORY In 2009 I was asked to photograph a collection of window dolls. I ended up spending a day in a small dark warehouse surrounded by hundreds of window dolls. By the end of the day to were as much alive as I was. The owner Mme. Baudat joined me for a few photos with her favourite dolls. I ended up doing an exposition with the series of photos called L’objet Femme. THE LESSON Always allow yourself to be surprised. It's in those moments that miracles happen.

WOMEN 365 - DAY 4- 2007, UNKNOWN

THE STORY Just barely getting my feet wet in photography, I was asked to do a shoot of the Swiss-German rapper Bligg while he was staying at the Lausanne Palace Hotel. Don’t ask me why — I had some very lucky stars watching over me at the beginning of my career. I remember that he was very kind and patient, and that despite my nerves, the shoot went very well. I was intrigued by the woman who was with him during the shoot. Not his girlfriend, but a colleague, if I remember correctly. Unfortunately, there is no trace of her name. Does anybody recognise her? Either way, she fascinated me with her take-it-or-leave-it look. THE LESSON When I started photography, it was still very much a male-dominated world. In the beginning, I struggled to see myself as a professional photographer (hello, impostor syndrome). Her look encouraged me to go and do what I knew best, whether that was in a man’s world or not.

WOMEN 365 - DAY 5 - MARIE-LOUISE, ISIS AND AMADEA, 2006

THE STORY When Marie-Louise was pregnant with her fourth child, Amadea, she asked me to capture her pregnancy. Marie-Louise is a force in her own right. Mother, athlete, actress — every role she takes on is lived with the same energy and passion for life. In the photograph, we see her with Isis, her third child, whose pregnancy and birth were filled with complications. I love the fierce look Marie-Louise has in this photo: a true lioness, ready to protect and defend her children with every fibre of her being. Yet there is also tenderness — in Isis’s gaze, and in Marie-Louise’s eyes. THE LESSON The role of a photographer is to observe. Only when we let go of expectations does the truth reveal itself in all its beauty.

WOMEN 365 - DAY 6 - BABY GIRL, 2008

THE STORY In 2008, I photographed a three-day wedding in Geneva. At some point on the third day, I noticed a father with his baby girl, who was clearly getting a little bored. I invited them to take a portrait together. I had spotted a dark room with a single window letting light into the space, so I asked the father to sit close to it, holding his daughter. The moment I took the photograph, I knew it was one to cherish forever — not only because of the perfect light and the beauty of the baby girl, but because it told the story of a deeply proud father who would do anything to protect his child. THE LESSON Sometimes what you choose not to show communicates more than what you do show in a photograph.

WOMEN 365 - DAY 7 - BIF/SLRC 2018

THE STORY In 2018, I created a series of photographs for the Stade Lausanne Rugby Club in an abandoned steel mill north of Lausanne. The series was produced for a calendar celebrating their 50th anniversary, while also raising funds for charitable causes — one of them being the Bureau d’Information pour les Femmes (BIF) in Lausanne, which supports women who are victims of violence. Both share the core values of respect and courage. Having undergone a mastectomy just six weeks earlier due to breast cancer, I felt deeply empowered by this rugged setting — rough, strong, and fragile all at once. THE LESSON To preserve the raw authenticity of the scene, I worked exclusively with natural light, letting it paint the picture for me. After all, that is what photography is — painting with light.

WOMEN 365 - DAY 8 - MARIE ROSE, 2025

THE STORY The first time I photographed Marie-Rose was in 2006. Over the years, we stayed in touch, and she kindly returned for several sessions, the most recent one in 2025. One of those shoots was with her daughter in the beautiful studio of Les Ateliers de la Gare. As always, I like to put on music to set the mood, and when I saw her outfit, Beyoncé’s Texas Hold ’Em immediately came to mind — the same raw energy and the rebellious confidence of a woman who knows her worth. THE LESSON Music is a powerful creator of energy. Sometimes, all I need is to look at a photograph and remember what we were listening to during the shoot. That’s one of the things I love about photography: a good image is the beginning of a story, capable of transporting you — just like music does.

WOMEN 365- DAY 9 - VERONIQUE & ISABELLE, 2018/2025

THE STORY  In 2018, I was contacted by Isabelle and Véronique to photograph their wedding. It was a beautiful ceremony, filled with love and plenty of laughter. I adore these two women, who take life very seriously — but themselves not so much. That day marked the beginning of a long friendship. Since then, I’ve had the pleasure of following them as their rainbow family grew with the birth of Baptiste and Louise. They have honoured me with the privilege of photographing their family on many occasions, most recently in a forest, with their two beautiful children. THE LESSON  Love knows no boundaries of colour or gender.  It simply is — in all its beauty. 🌈

WOMEN 365 - DAY 10 - JUDITH, 2015

THE STORY  I met Judith for the first time when she came to the studio in 2015, pregnant with her child, Benjamin. I had known her husband, Fabien, for years, photographing his real estate projects, and now I got to see him in a new role: a soon-to-be father! It’s lovely to witness the transformation of a person into a parent — it’s as if the universe supplies us with an instant download of unconditional love. I photographed Judith in my little studio, and when I saw her beautiful, round belly, it reminded me of soap bubbles. Quite frankly, the result ended up becoming one of my favourite pregnancy photographs. THE LESSON  Unconditional love is a part of all of us. Children allow us to reveal and nurture this love. And there is no age-limit for soap bubbles !

WOMEN 365 - DAY 11 - DANA, 2017

THE STORY  This photo is very personal :-). Dana was pregnant with her first child, David, and at the time I didn’t yet know that I would become the godmother of this beautiful baby boy. Dana was born in the USA and later moved to Switzerland, where she met my brother of the heart, Alessio. While her husband is a true Tuscan tornado, she is the embodiment of calmness. Something in her facial features reminded me of Native Americans, so I asked her if she would pose wearing this Native American headdress. The moment she put it on, Mother Nature emerged in all her force. I love this photo—but not nearly as much as I love my adopted family. THE LESSON  Photography is storytelling.  Light is your paintbrush.  Life is your subject :-)

WOMEN 365- DAY 12 - KINY 2013/2022

THE STORY  I first met Kiny when I photographed her wedding in 2013 in Château-d’Oex. Even then, she made a lasting impression on me. First of all, when she explained to me that parts of her wedding dress were made from small pieces of fabric belonging to people who had made a significant difference in her life. I remember one of the pieces came from her grandfather’s pyjamas, and another from a fragment of a burka belonging to an Afghan woman she had worked with during one of her many humanitarian projects. The second anecdote from that wedding happened while she was getting ready. Her sister asked her if she could start putting on her makeup, to which Kiny replied, “Why would I wear makeup? I’m going to cry tears of happiness anyway!” In 2022, I had the pleasure of having her in front of my camera again in my studio, and her energy and kindness had only grown more beautiful over time. I'm so grateful to all these women who have allowed me to photograph them over the years... THE LESSON  The longer you live the more beautiful life becomes, said Frank Lloyd Wright. Growing older beautifully is an art however — and Kiny masters that art like no other woman I have ever met.

WOMEN 365 - DAY 13 - ELOISE, 2022

THE STORY  Eloïse is one of my clients whom I’ve photographed on several occasions—the very first time back in 2013. The photos in this series are from 2022, when she returned to my studio for a set of professional portraits. It’s such a privilege to follow people along their life path, both professionally and personally. I chose images from our 2022 shoot because they perfectly illustrate what makes a good shoot: not only the final result, but also the moment shared together. Fun, relaxed, authentic, and full of all-around feel-good energy. Thank you again, Eloïse, for sharing your wonderful energy with me every single time 🙂 THE LESSON  For me, making people feel comfortable in front of the camera—so much so that they forget they’re being photographed and simply enjoy the moment—is far more important than mastering every possible technical skill.

WOMEN 365 - DAY 14 - VICTORIA & FRANCOISE, 2006

THE STORY  At the beginning of my career, most of the portraits I created were family portraits, and I often went to people’s homes to photograph them. Without realizing it at the time, this is where I laid the foundation for my understanding of light. I never knew what kind of setting I would walk into, and it taught me how to truly see light — and, most importantly, how to improvise. This portrait was taken in the home of a classmate of my daughter. The Fasel family was, and still is, lovely, and I’ve had the privilege of photographing them on numerous occasions. In this image from 2006, we see Victoria with her mother, Françoise. I love the tender yet protective expression of the mother, and Victoria is simply a perfect young girl — secure in the knowledge that she can go anywhere in the world without ever losing the love and protection of her family. THE LESSON  Unconditional love between a parent and their child is like a tree — giving them wings to fly and roots so they’ll always have a place to come home to.

WOMEN 365 - DAY 15 - LULU ( & RUSTY), 2024

THE STORY Another very personal portrait. I met Lulu in 2015 in the south of Spain, in a tiny little school called La Janda, where we were learning Spanish. We were both at very particular turning points in our lives, and we instantly connected. Lulu is my rock, my best friend. And despite all the rocks that have been thrown onto both our roads, most of the time we just laugh. The kind of laughing where you have to hold your belly. Best therapy ever. In this photo she is posing with Rusty, or as we call him, the giraffe. Rusty was rescued by Lulu when he was only four weeks old. And I think that sometimes Rusty rescues Lulu too — just like all our dogs do. THE LESSON Light: Whenever you’re shooting outdoors, if you spot a wooden background, you’ve found a great natural reflector of light. . Life: There would be a lot fewer wars if we all had dogs like Rusty and friends like Lulu :-)

WOMEN 365 - DAY 16 - SIMONETTE, 2013

THE STORY Simonette and I met by chance, in the back of a taxi in Barcelona. I was photographing a wedding she and her partner were about to attend. A few words were enough to recognize a fellow Dutch soul. Some encounters are instant—this was one of them. We’ve been friends ever since. Years later, I stood behind the camera again, this time photographing her own wedding. Simonette has that rare, quiet authority—an instant presence. She was born to wear hats. She doesn’t pose; she inhabits the frame. And her resemblance to one of her lifelong heroes, Audrey Hepburn, feels less like coincidence and more like destiny. THE LESSON Less is more. When you strip an image back to its essence, the connection becomes immediate—and honest.

WOMEN 365 - DAY 17 - LOUISE 2006

THE STORY I met Louise’s mother long before Louise was born, when I was pregnant with my daughter. Charoula and I are both Dutch, and together with our mutual friend Jolanda, we love to spend time together and speak and giggle Dutch from time to time. When Louise was born in 2006, her (grand)parents were visiting. And when I saw the face of that beautiful newborn baby girl, held in the hands of her grandmother, I knew I had a photograph that would tell a story. THE LESSON Generations brought together in one photograph make for powerful stories.

WOMEN 365 – DAY 18 - EVELYN, 2019

THE STORY  Evelyn and I have known each other since childhood; our parents were close friends. Once every two years, Evelyn comes to visit me in Switzerland, and I always make sure to get her in front of my camera. She has the most beautiful eyes :-)  One of the things I love most about Evelyn is her honesty and directness—a refreshing quality in a world where perfection and social rules often dominate and conceal the beauty of authenticity. THE LESSON  Just as we should listen to understand rather than respond, we should observe to see rather than judge. The world becomes a lot more beautiful that way !

WOMEN 365 – DAY 19 - MARIE-CLAIRE & NEMO 2023

THE STORY  Marie-Claire and I share a passion for dogs. We first met in 2013, and in 2023 she returned with her dog Nemo, for an outdoor photoshoot along the shore of Lake Léman. I love the connection that humans and animals share, and Marie-Claire’s bond with Nemo is truly special. Together, they participate in Dog Dancing events, and I’m never quite sure who enjoys it more—Marie-Claire or her dog :-) THE LESSON  When photographing animals, patience is key. They set the pace of the shoot, but if you are welcomed into their world, the results can be truly amazing!

WOMEN 365 - DAY 20 - CHRISTEL & ANAIS, 2023

THE STORY  Christel is my partner in crime on The Souls Project (Les Ames), where we capture portraits of local heroes in words and images. I’ve known Christel for years — first professionally, and later as a friend. She could easily be a subject of The Souls Project herself. A working mom, she balances her role in communications for a large company with the creation of her company La Vie en Mots, where she captures people’s life stories and transforms them into books meant to be passed down through generations. This idea of transmitting life stories and values echoes strongly in this photo series I created with her and her daughter, Anaïs, in our photo studio. I love the complicity between the two of them. THE LESSON  Roots and wings, once again. And sometimes, a little bit of light is all it takes to reveal the sparkle of mother–daughter love.

WOMEN 365 - DAY 21 - CATHERINE, 2022

THE STORY I met Catherine when I photographed her professional portrait for Groupe Leuba and was immediately struck by her bubbly personality. So when she came to my studio for a series of personal portraits, I knew we would create some fabulous smiles to remember! I love photographing women who are truly and unapologetically authentic—the kind who boldly say, “Watch out world, here I come,” ready or not. THE LESSON When you photograph someone with such a sparkling personality, colourful images and backgrounds work beautifully.

WOMEN 365- DAY 22 - AURELIE, 2014

THE STORY  One of the few frustrations I encounter in Switzerland is that everything is so perfectly cleaned up! But in 2014, I had the chance to do this fabulous urban shoot in Lausanne, in the Rotillon quarter, with the beautiful Aurélie. So many colors, so much graffiti. The graffiti has since disappeared, but the statue of the horse with the rose is still there! THE LESSON  I love incorporating graphic elements into my portrait photography—they create a natural frame for the subject.

WOMEN 365 - DAY 23 - LOUANNA, 2024

THE STORY  I’ve always said that the more fun we have during a shoot, the better the result. Like many of my clients, Louanna came to my studio to update her professional portraits. Walking into a large studio and knowing you’re about to be photographed can be stressful. But the sooner I can help my clients relax, the easier it is for their true, beautiful selves to shine through. With Louanna, that part was easy. I love this photo of her — such lovely energy. Thank you, Louanna, for a smile to remember! THE LESSON  A good portrait is an invitation to a conversation — and nothing is more inviting than a beautiful, authentic smile.

WOMEN 365 – DAY 24 - SIENNA, 2013

THE STORY  I could write a whole story here, but this is one of those photos where an image speaks louder than a thousand words… by far one of my favourite newborn photos... THE LESSON  When you free your mind from expectations, you’ll always find treasures along your path.

WOMEN 365 - DAY 25 - MADELEINE, 2023

THE STORY  Together with Christel Grin, we launched The Souls Project (Les Âmes), and one of our very first subjects was Madeleine. Her story could fill several books (you can find a short recap on lesames.ch), but to me she is, above all, a force of nature — always smiling, rarely complaining, despite the battle she is courageously fighting with cancer. Madeleine is an institution, a rock, and I could listen to her stories for hours. THE LESSON  Always take the time to listen. In the stories of our elders, we find far more richness than in any form of social media.

WOMEN 365 – DAY 25 - ANNE, 2021

THE STORY  Anne is one of those vibrant women I love to photograph. A studio setting wouldn’t have done her energy justice, so I took her to the Rolex Learning Center at EPFL, where the light is beautifully balanced and the space allows her bubbling personality to unfold. THE LESSON  Concrete is a wonderful reflector of light. It absorbs part of it and bounces it back in a soft, beautifully diffused way.

WOMEN 365 – DAY 26 - LAMIA, 2022

THE STORY The first time I met Lamia was at the Montreux Palace Hotel — her smile was hard to forget 🙂. So when she asked me years later for a professional portrait series in her new role as Director of Spa & Fitness at the Mirador Resort & Spa, I couldn’t be more delighted. Her expertise in hospitality is unsurpassed. This portrait of her instantly makes you feel welcome, no matter who you are or where you come from. THE LESSON Photographers often use a simple trick I like to share: if you position your model so that one eye sits in the center of the frame — rather than centering the whole face — it creates the impression that her eyes follow you, building an even stronger connection.

WOMEN 365 – DAY 28 - ADRIENNE, 2023

THE STORY  I’ve had the pleasure of photographing Adrienne on several occasions, most recently in my garden in 2023. Adrienne is like a nature fairy — her connection to Mother Earth is palpable, and she transmits that energy through her work as a specialist in reflexology and lymphatic drainage. THE LESSON  If you can avoid direct sunlight, nature will reward you with the most beautiful light you could wish for.

WOMEN 365 – DAY 29 - ALESSANDRA, 2015

THE STORY  When Alessandra walked into my tiny studio in 2015, I wasn’t surprised to learn that she had begun her career as a ballet dancer with the Béjart Ballet. When she enters a room (or a studio!), she instantly fills it with her grace, elegance, and presence. The intimate setting we created for this shoot was all we needed to produce a series of images that, to this day, still take my breath away with their beauty, power, and simplicity. THE LESSON  When you have the privilege of photographing someone as elegant and graceful as Alessandra, you can afford to work with very minimalistic light. She quite literally becomes one with it.

WOMEN 365 – DAY 30 - ASTRID, 2024

THE STORY  Most people who walk into my studio tell me the same thing: I’m not really comfortable in front of the camera. That’s exactly why it’s so important to have fun during a shoot 🙂 There’s always a magical moment when people forget their nerves, and their true, beautiful personality shines through. Astrid has a real movie-star quality about her, and I was so happy to see her gorgeous smile take over. THE LESSON  Your mind can tell you all kinds of stories about yourself — but when your heart takes over, every smile becomes a gift to yourself and to the world.

EMO PHOTO