Inspired, A Very Special Project | Introducing Lisa Tichane’ Tout Petit Pixel Photographie

    Welcome Back!! First off thank you all so much for the sensational response to last week’s post with the AMAZING Sarah Phillips Photography. Her candidness, her open and warm spirit and her the amazing answers really gave this project the jump start it really needed! I am so excited to continue on and feature my very next photographer. If you missed last week you can read a bit about what this project embodies and see Sarah’s interview HERE.

    This next Photographer is from France!! How romantic and amazing right?!! Lisa Tichane’ of Tout Petite Pixel Photographie is second to none when it comes to creativity and the fascinating way she captures children in their own element!  Her work is full of magic, and love and imagination and I am so honored she agreed to let me feature her here. Her light and airy processing, her amazing talent of catching the most precious of moments blows me away. She marries lifestyle with portraiture in only a way she could do and I am completely enthralled with her “style” and her sense of wonder! I am sure you will be just in love with her too when you check out her work!

    You can find her amazing Website HERE and her Blog HERE.

    And Pop on over to her Facebook Page and say Hi Here!

    Here is her Fabulous Interview:

    Lets get to know you! How would you describe yourself in three sentences?

    I am a real Frenchie, born and raised in France where I still live with my 2 boys, nearby the Mediterranean sea. I am a kid at heart and a silly girl, a day without laughter would be a lost one for me (I am also a busy bee – relax and do nothing is a good definition of hell in my books). I love learning more than anything else, it feeds my soul and is my biggest motivation to challenge myself.

     

     

    What sparked your passion for Photography?

    Definitely my endless curiosity for people and emotions. Being able to capture someone’s personality, or a genuine emotion is a constant source of joy. This is one of the many reasons why children are my favorite subjects: they are real, they don’t cheat, their emotions are raw… capturing the essence of childhood on a photograph is a life quest!

     

    Whats in your camera bag?

    Canon 5D Mark II and 3 main lenses: 28-70mm 2.8L, 135 mm 2L and 50mm 1.4. I also have a Speedlite 580 that I use on location when natural light is lacking.

     

     

    What Camera/Equipment did you start out with?

    I’ve always been a Canon girl! I already had a Canon film SLR back in the XXth century lol. When I started my photography business, I bought my faithful 5D.

     

     

    If you could only use one lens an entire session which one would you choose and why?

    My 24-70L, without any doubt. I have a love/hate relationship with that lens.

    It is definitely not my *best* lens (my 135 mm 2L beats it hands down when it comes to sharpness and creaminess), but it’s on my camera 80% of the time.

    I see myself as an emotion hunter. Most of my work (and what I deeply enjoy) is chasing toddlers around. You just can’t beat the 24-70mm for this. I don’t know how many times I would have missed my favorite shot in a session, if I hadn’t been able to change my focal length in a fraction of seconds. When a toddler is suddenly running towards you with a huge smile on his face, you don’t have time to step back!

    Quickly zooming in or out (and a FAST focus) allowed me to get most of the shots I deeply cherish in my portfolio: the ones that involve unexpected movement and a sudden burst of emotion.

     

     

    What advice would go give to someone just beginning in photography and hoping to have a business of their own?

    Learn your camera inside and out. Practice practice practice. When the technical side of photography becomes a second nature, your creativity is free to fly high!!

     

    What was your first official Photographer crush if you had one?

    Tara Whitney. I had an Aha moment when I discovered her work years ago. Her “perfectly imperfect” philosophy really spoke to me!!

    I remember when I was trying to explain to my friends that I wanted to become a children’s photographer – they were staring at me in disbelief. Lifestyle photography is barely starting here in France, so they were picturing the stiff awkward children portrait in front of a kitschy background… I used to send them to Tara Whitney’s work, saying: See?? It can be different!

     

     

    What kind of photos do you like to take for just yourself when not working with clients?

    My boys, definitely. They are so full of joy and energy, I love to capture it. I try not to chase them too often, the worse thing that could happen to me would be for them to hate my camera. But once in a while, we prepare a fun idea together and just let loose and we have SO much fun! The painting session we did together was one of the funniest moments in my photographer’s life.

     

     

    What kind of photos do you like to take for just yourself when not working with clients?

    My boys, definitely. They are so full of joy and energy, I love to capture it. I try not to chase them too often, the worse thing that could happen to me would be for them to hate my camera. But once in a while, we prepare a fun idea together and just let loose and we have SO much fun! The painting session we did together was one of the funniest moments in my photographer’s life.

     

    If you could photograph absolutely anyone who would it be dead or alive?

    Tough question. I think I would love to photograph an adult who has never seen a camera in her/his life (does that even exist?). I’d love to be able to capture an adult as a very young children: living his/her own life NOT caring about my camera. Being just raw and authentic.

     

     

    Describe your style in 3 words.

    Real, playful, emotive.

     

    Most embarrassing moment on a session would be?

    Mom and Dad fighting!!

    I sometimes have nightmares about showing up at a shoot without my camera, or with an empty battery, or no card… it never happened yet, but it’s my greatest fear!!

     

     

    Any challenges you have had to overcome to be where you are today?

    Combining a full-time job and my photography business when I was still testing waters to see if it could work. I almost went nuts, I was working day and night. Another challenge was being brave enough to finally dump my day job to go full-time with photography. It was exciting but so scary (it still is!).

     

    Favorite time of day to shoot is?

    No particular moment, as long as it’s a good moment for the child. I know most photographers tend to shoot at sunrise/sunset and I do appreciate it when I can, but I have to admit that it doesn’t bother me a bit to do a full session in open shade as long as the child is having FUN. I know a lot might cringe when reading this, but to me the moment/emotion is more important than fancy lighting. Capturing laughter, genuine parent-child interaction is what makes my heart sing. If the child is in his/her best mood at the end of the morning, then I’ll aim for that and choose a location that will work at that time.

     

     

    If you had to stop taking photos right now, what would you do instead?

    Teaching, definitely. I thoroughly enjoy it.

     

    Have you attended college or had any formal education in Photography?

    No, I am mostly self-taught. But I have taken several online classes at Clickin’Moms, and I learnt a TON there. The wealth of knowledge on this board is just outstanding.

     

     

    What do you do to get your clients to relax with you?

    I make them laugh, but most importantly: I laugh with them. I find that my clients are naturally relaxed if I am, it all starts with me. I cannot ask them to have fun if I am not genuinely having fun too.

     

     

    What are your photography related goals for 2012?

    I have a huge list of goals that I would probably have to revise to a more realistic one lol.

    I have been working for months on a brand new custom website, and it is finally live, so one of my goals is to feed it with great content throughout the year. I also have a big project coming: a French editor contacted me about writing a book on children’s photography. It will be a huge challenge for me, but it’s also really exciting.

     

    How do you push yourself to keep growing and learning? Any Big Aha! Moments?

    Being very active in a photographer’s online community (I’m a mentor at Clickin’moms) is a constant source of inspiration and challenge. I’ve learnt so much by sharing with my peers.

    I strongly remember the day I understood how to nail my focus 99% of the time. I started to combine back button focusing and toggling my focus points and bam! That was it!!! Eyes tack sharp every single time!!

    I have to admit that most of my biggest Aha moments came during workshops. I love the learning and friendly environment, the challenge. There is something about the working atmosphere and the interaction with other photographers willing to grow that really wakes up my creative mind. I think I’m a workshop addict.

     

     

    Biggest Photography related insecurity?

    Only one? I feel like I have so many!!

    Self-doubt is my worst enemy (and maybe my best friend, too). There is not a day when I don’t see another photographer’s work and think that I will never be half good as her/him. It can be really paralizing.

    I am also guilty of loosing track of my own creative vision. It’s so difficult not to be influenced by trends – If people are doing it, then I should probably do it too, right?

    It’s an everyday fight: trying to stick to what makes ME happy, even if it’s not trendy right now, even if it doesn’t look like “the thing to do”.

     

     

    Digital or Prints?

    Both. But I am not fully satisfied if my clients don’t have at least ONE print on their wall at the end of the session.

     

    I love your business name! What inspired that and what does it mean?
    Tout Petit Pixel means “Tiny Little Pixel”. If I’m perfectly honest, I chose it because I enjoyed the sound of it (I know this is not an exciting answer, but it is boringly true).

    It came very naturally: I photograph tiny little ones, and I am a digital photographer… but one of my goals as a photographer is to make people forget the technical side of it, to be fully drawn to the emotion in the image. Which is why I want my pixels to be really tiny… so tiny that you can’t remember there is a pixel involved.

     

    Favorite photo ever taken:

    Ahhhhh. That’s too hard. Probably one of the images from the painting session with my boys. I can still hear their laughter.

     

    Fun stuff:

    Favorite Color: anything reddish/raspberry
    Favorite Season: summer, definitely!! I hate being cold. I can get really grumpy in winter.
    Biggest Guilty Pleasure: Mmmmh don’t start me on this, I have a pretty long list of them!!
    Studio or On location:
    Mainly on location, but I dream about a fantastic natural light studio!
    What did you want to be when you grew up? Veterinary, Circus artist, Teacher, Actress, Scientist, Explorer… I had so many dreams! I still haven’t given up on some of them lol.
    One thing no one knows about you is: I went to circus school as a child. I can juggle, walk on a tight rope, ride a unicycle… or at least I used to. If you gave me a unicycle right now, I would probably be fairly ridiculous.
    Pc or Mac: Mac
    Lightroom Or Photoshop:
    Both
    Film or Digital: Digital
    Props or No Props:
    As few as possible!
    If you could travel anywhere it would be:
    My bucket list is huge! I love traveling. But if I could jump on a plane right now, I would probably come to the US to finally meet my photographers friends! By the way, I’ve heard that Colorado is a really nice place :))
    Glass Half Empty or Half Full: Half full, definitely. I’m a born optimistic.
     Raw or Jpeg: Raw
    Favorite Music to Edit to:
    I very rarely listen to music when editing. If I listen to music, I sing. And it makes me want to start dancing. And next thing I know, I’m not editing anymore!
    Favorite Quote: “Creative minds are rarely tidy”. This is my best excuse!
    Most valued material possession:
    as boring as it sounds, it’s probably my camera.
    Processing Style: Clean and colorful.
    Coffee or Tea: Addicted to black coffee!
    If you could photograph a Celebrity who would it be
    ? I have absolutely no idea. I don’t think I would enjoy photographing anybody famous. It would stress me out.What kind of Camera bag do you rock? I’m not a fancy girl… My bag is mainly practical (I have a SLR sloop photojojo camera bag). Some of my friends make fun of me because it looks like a picnic bag lol. But I love it!

     

    Lisa let me just say a big huge THANK YOU again from the bottom of my heart for allowing me to interview you!! I have so enjoyed reading your answers! You are absolutely amazing!!

    Check back next Thursday!! I have someone SUPER awesome coming up but you have to be here to see who…..

    And don’t forget we still have quite a line up including Tara Whitney, Jinky Art’s own Barb Uli, Lisa Holloway, Bobbi + Mike, Mindy Harris of Pastel Photography, Jasmine Star, Joy from Wildflowers Photography, Shannon Sewell, Stacie Turner, Courtney Keim, Sara Seeton, Jen Cooke, Summer Lyn Photography and many many many more!!!

     

    12 Lovely Comments  •  Leave a Comment for Sarah

    12 Beautiful Souls Commented

    1. Thank you so so much to all of you for your sweet comments, they mean the world to me!!
      And Sarah, thank you once again for this interview, you know how much I admire your work, your are such an inspiration!!!

    2. Faith says:

      Love, love, love! I’m in England, but am American, and the American-style family and children’s photography is just making its way here. I’m in the process of starting my own photography business, and am so excited about bringing my vision here. Love that Lisa is part of the beginnings of a more emotive brand of children’s photography in France. It inspires and encourages me. Thanks for featuring her, Sarah!

    3. Kaela Green says:

      Sarah, thank you for posting this! Lisa seems like a ton of fun and I love her style so much! Lisa, if you ever do make it to Colorado look me and up and Sarah and I will show you around;)
      🙂 Kaela

    4. Elle Walker says:

      Fabulous interview again, Sarah! Long time fan of Lisa’s work, and of the sweet person she is <3

    5. Elena says:

      So loving these interviews! Thank you for all the great info!

    6. Rebecca Thompson says:

      I absolutely love these interviews you are doing:) Thank you for taking the time to do this, you are an amazing lady, and you give so much!!!

    7. Flo Dupuy says:

      Loved Lisa’s interview! Thank you so much Sarah! Et un grand bravo a Lisa!

    8. Carrie Hall says:

      Great interview. I am a fan of Lisa’s work, such beautiful and bright photography! Thank you for lining up this series Sarah. The more I visit your blog… the more i learn.

    9. I LOVE LOVE LOVE work – have been a HUGE fan for quite awhile!!!! She’s always fresh and endearing! a true inspiration!

    10. Jenna Stoller says:

      I LOVE Lisa’s work. Not only that but she is as genuine and sweet as she sounds on here.

    11. Lacey says:

      This may be my most favorite interview EVER. And Lisa is one of the most inspiring and kind photographers I “know” … though we’ve never met in-real-life. 🙂 Thank you for this interview, Sarah, and to Lisa for being so wonderful!

    Leave a Lovely Comment

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