Information overload defines the world we live in, making it difficult to put yourself in the skin of others. It seems to have a numbing effect on us and it’s all due to the huge amount of inputs we receive daily. We can’t process all of them, or at least, we can’t give them the attention some may require. Hearing or reading stories may not be enough, sometimes we need to visually see things to become aware of the reality and truly sink it it.
Raphaël Chatelain, a French photographer and film director, knows exactly how an image can make a change in giving voice to the citizens who are being deprived from it by those in power, and empowering those who may not have the resources to speak up. LGBTQ+ themes and identities form the core of Chatelain’s work, offering the community a space to freely express themselves and feel comfortable with the camera. That’s why he tries to give the people he photographs time enough to get to know each other and create a safe athmosphere. “An important part of my work is that the stories of the people I portray are as important as the photograph itself”, as he tells us. Raphaël Chatelain’s art sends a strong political and humanitarian message.