Raphael Gaultier

The photographer explores themes of home, intimacy and isolation in his captivating imagery

The visual world is becoming increasingly oversaturated. To therefore make work that stands out is a task in itself, let alone to share it and for it to end up with permanence. One way to begin is to create something you’re passionate about, which is what Raphael Gaultier takes in his stride wholeheartedly. The Brooklyn and Seattle-based photographer works primarily in medium format film and digital, that of which reveals an intimate and honest depiction of those closest to him – his friends, family and the locations he holds dearly. Shot in typical portrait and documentary fashion, what gives Raphael’s imagery an edge is his romanticism. A ray of light beaming onto a subject posing grandiosely – almost spiritually – or the last moment of sunshine captured through a crowd of happy people gathering on the beach; light plays a buoyant protagonist throughout his tonal imagery as it illuminates the lives and relationships between his inner circle. Below, I chat to Raphael to find out more about his captivating works and why, above anything, he hopes his audience will take a moment to pause in the stillness of his photography – a much-needed respite from the fast-paced nature of digital culture.

First it would be great to hear about your journey into photography – why choose photography over other creative media?

My journey to photography was a bit unorthodox. I never really considered myself creative growing up; school and soccer were my two biggest concerns for as long as I could remember. In a lot of ways, they were how I expressed myself. It wasn’t until freshman year of college when I tore my ACL and was unfortunately sidelined from any physical activity, which sent me into a massive slump. A friend had gifted me an inexpensive camera a few years prior, and I began using it by instinct as a means of expression when I was no longer able to do the things that brought me comfort. Over the years, I’ve spent countless hours learning the history of photography, building relationships with other photographers, and taking photo upon photo to fall in love with the medium I use today.

What’s your ethos as a photographer and what projects excite you most?

I am a slow and measured photographer. I enjoy taking time to set up a single shot and work with a subject to capture the essence of who or what they are. I am mostly attracted to long-form projects where I can spend time with my subjects and tell deeper stories that aren’t necessarily on the surface.

What themes and topics do you address in your photography, and how do these translate into visual imagery?

I primarily explore themes of home, intimacy and isolation in my work. These themes often find themselves in my work naturally, sometimes even subconsciously. This means I’m usually creating work with family, close friends and places I find dear to me. These are measured aesthetic choices to create work that feels more authentic, and properly represents the subjects I’m photographing.

What are you working on at the moment?

A project I’m currently working on is centred around how we give and show love. It started as an exploration into romantic love through friends and family, and has taken on a new form as I’ve followed the bread crumb trail of this project. Each photograph I’ve taken for it has posed a question that has allowed me to dig deeper and deeper into a variety of themes that are beginning to arise in the work I’m creating. What started as a series primarily focused on romantic love has evolved into spending time with forms of platonic and familial love as well, and seeing where that takes the project.

How do you hope your audience will respond to your work?

I hope my audience will take time with my images. There’s a stillness I’m trying to convey in my work that I hope has a calming presence to anyone who views it. We are constantly consuming media in a variety of different forms, and we often don’t get the chance to sit with something for an extended period of time. I’m hoping to change that by working slower and getting my audience to do the same.

What’s next for you?

I hope to publish my own photo book when I have a more completed body of work. I’m still working on a couple of personal projects that I’d like to explore further – going back to my intention to work slower. My goal is to have those projects exist in a more permanent form like a photo book and potential gallery.