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Page 1: My life, one shutter click at a time. |
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![]() View page 99 for the justifications of these statements. |
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![]() I am a professional freelance photographer in Paris, specializing in fashion, advertising, industry, reportage, portraits, archi/deco, events, lingerie, press, beauty, sports, panoramic, celebrities, pageants, and more. I share with you my photographic secrets, discovered in 38 years of experience. |
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Christian Fournier in numbers: 36 years of experience, over 9 million photos, clients: L'Oréal, Dior, Renault, GMF, Ebay, Garmin, Medef, Tollens, Etam, Nike, Sogaris, Cathay Pacific, Unesco, etc.…. |
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The first 66 years. |
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I
became a photographer by vocation. Photography made my life
exciting. The idea is not to live forever, but to create something that will. Andy Warhol |
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Warning: I
will appear on many photos! |
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This biography is, for the first 36 pages (until my
doom in 1993!), rather raw. Therein I will divulge both my strengths
and shortcomings. If you are sensitive or in a hurry to find my current photography production with my rates, please start at page 45 at which shows that I am established in Paris and very professional. |
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This is not a fiction, but a highly illustrated and uncensored biography. As far as I know I have told the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, but there might be small errors in dates or in the spelling of certain names and places. If you do find any such mistakes, please don't hesitate to let me know and I will correct them immediately. Thank you. |
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I would like to thank all
contributors, including Wikipedia (for providing a few of my heros’ biographies). They are too many to name, yet I will try to do so in the captions of each photo. Adriana Karembeu, Alain Auclair Weiller, Alain Gorsky, Alana Maudsley Zeller, Allan Jones, Allen Jolley, Amélie Mauresmo, Albane Fioretti, Alexandre Barthet, Andrew Bruce, Andrew Novis, Angelo Falcone, Anita Frackowska, Anna et Max Normand, Anne-Lise Auclair, Antoine Schneck, Béatrice Quentin, Béactrice Powis, Berengère Desmettre, Barry Moss, Bernard Reid, Bleu Equipage, Bruno Duval, Bruno Calendini, Camille Verrier, Carlos Lopez, Caroline Pequeux, Catherine Belon, Cédric Klapisch, Charlie Dawson, Christian Deduve, Christian Malette, Christian Parramon, Christine Naït Sidnas, Christophe Gorsky, Cil De Kolda, Claire Guarrigue, Claude Michaud, Claude Slowick, Claude Crévecoeur, Cil de Kolda Barthelémy Loucheur, Claire Guarrigue, Corinne Paris, Craig Hellmann, Cyril Bruneau, David Doyembourg, David Turner, Dean Collins, Didier Lefevre, Didier Loiseleur, Dom Rideau, Dominique Fournier, Doug Plews, Emmanuelle Lauer, Eddy Woj, Elisabeth Lenihan, Elodie Biscons, Eric Naras, Etienne Lemaire, Eve Pranger, Ezra Todd Shelton, Florence Arthaud, Florence Billotte-Dercourt, Florence Coufourier, Franck Brussel, François Carillou, François Morel, Frédérique Gorsky, Frédéric Laurent, Georges Pernoud, Graham Mitchinson, Gustave Parking, Gwendoline Henry, Henri Salvador, Hubert Reeves, Isabelle Nery, Isabelle Quesnel, Jamie Harrisson, Jean-Baptiste Mondino, Jean-Jacques Annaud, Jean-Paul Gaultier, Jef Tombeur, Joelle De Montille, John Cable, Josette Jorietti, Julie Taillasson, Julie Tauvel, Jurgen Freund, Karel de Gendre, Karine Rouesne-Sabarots, L'Abbé Pierre, Laetitia Casta, L'atelier Fournier Schneck, Laura Lang, Laurence Parisot, Laurent Guillaume, Lenny Kravitz, Leonard Cohen, Lila Dhermies, Liza Rasmussen, Lucky Nguyen, Marc Atlan, Marc Bromhead, Marianne Chevara, Marine Klein, Martine Fournier, Matthieu Etourneau, Michelle Farrelly, Mondino, Natalia Pushkina, Nathalie Camidebach, Nathalie Mentré, Nicolas Cantelou, Nicolas Hulot, Nicole Bordes, Nigel Atherton, Nikolaus Roche Kresse, Olivier F. De Felice, Pascal Guiraud, Pat Denton, Patrick Carreau, Patrick Clement, Paul Cooper, Paul Newman, Patrici Panizzi, Paul Car, Peter Beard, Petra Lindblad, Philippe Ducoloner, Pierre-Gilles de Gennes, Pierre-Yves Mahé, Phylippe Routier, Prisca Lafleur, Raoul Monthouel, Reza Deghati, Richard Kirsch, Roger Durantis, Rony Willis, Ron Stam, Sabine Crossen, Sandrine Filleuil, Sébastien Dru, Shannon Templeton, Sharon Ashton, Sharon Goldberg, Simon Emm, Sonia Paul, Ulises Stegmayer, Stuart Ward, Sylvie Lecointe, Thanh Nguyet Vu, Tikki Olgado, Tim Horrox, Tim Venn, Tom Long, Veronica Roach Chaussade, Yan Arthus Bertrand, Yves de Lanascol, etc. Remerciements à Sarah Hasselman, BSc (Honours), BA, MA in French (2015), McMaster University, for her help on some translations. Thanks to Sophie Vélissariou-Audé for the French proof reading. |
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Fashion, advertising, industry, reportage, conventions and weddings, etc.![]() |
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Photo taken on a tripod with a remote control in 2013. As you will see further along, I have mastered the art of remote control. Take note of the magnificent, somewhat low-angled lighting which outlines the wrinkles. Better than Harcourt. This is Christian Fournier lighting! ![]() I was born in Arras, Pas-de-Calais, France, in 1953. Masters in Mathematics in 1975. 1976-1978: School photo in England (City and Guild Diploma, photo 745 from Berkshire College of Art and Design) 1978-1979: Obligatory Military Service, paratrooper. 1980- 1993: Professional Freelance Photographer based in the United States 1993 - now: Professional Freelance Photographer based in Paris, France. |
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ABOUT CHRISTIAN FOURNIER CHRISTIAN FOURNIER is a professional freelance photographer based in Paris, France, specializing in fashion, advertising, industry, reportage, corporate and weddings for the last 20 years CHRISTIAN FOURNIER is a true independent photographer who attended a British photo school (view all my diplomas), is very experienced, passionate and creative. Despite its diversity, prisedevue.photos is not an agency, it is CHRISTIAN FOURNIER himself (no sub-contracting) who will carry out your photo shoot and the post production with the best equipment (always two cameras at all times for safety). CHRISTIAN FOURNIER is a true professional, well organized, polite, who will set everything up to carry out his undertakings, from preparation to delivery. His equipment is always the very best. See his large list. He delivers his photos fully optimized within a day, on DVD, by post or via DropBox pro with fibre optic Internet. CHRISTIAN FOURNIER does not hide anything: all his tariffs are clearly shown on prisedevue.photos; the sales terms are also visible. CHRISTIAN FOURNIER is properly registered as a business within the French legislations (Siret 41139772200017), he produces legal invoices (Agessa: 038756), his book keeping is checked by a government regulated boby: AARP (n° adhérent: 006185). CHRISTIAN FOURNIER is insured for you: assurance multirisque commerciale et professionnelle à responsabilité civile chez Aviva numéro 74153215. Coverage in case of accident in your premises or his studio. |
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I know what
you’re thinking, yes, I take a lot of photos. There’s nothing
strange about that! It’s my profession, my passion, I always
have a camera within arm’s reach, a friend on hand to make a
“making-of”, or of course my remote control. Obviously I won’t be putting them all on this website, it would end up bigger than Wikipedia! Choosing isn’t easy. Furthermore, many photos have been lost or damaged (I lead a life that is, in a very literal way, turbulent: I travel a lot), as a result of “The Great Flood” of 2000 (see page 44). |
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Until 1993, there was only conventional (film) photography. This was not only more difficult but also a lot more expensive (one had to pay for film and developing). Then, from about 1993 to 2008, digital sensors improved from terrible to decent. From 2008 onwards they became extremely good. I have experienced each of these phases. | ||
Here I’m adding photos of me over the years so that you
are able to identify me in the making-ofs. The older the photo, the younger I look! |
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When I take photographs, I am always 20 y.o. Mainly with Photoshop! 2020 ![]() ![]() So you can recognize me after my death! |
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![]() Descrea: "A photograph is a piece of the puzzle that paginates our life." ![]() |
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I already have the biography, now I just need to become famous. |
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Christian Fournier, a chameleon photographer, a powerful professional. Sitting behind his digital cockpit style Airbus 380, Christian Fournier puts a finishing touch to the latest pictures of a costume party at the Carnavalet Museum in Paris. Several hundred shots travel between the two 30-inch screens, the MacPro 3.7 GHZ mill at full throttle. Tomorrow morning, it will send the 658 photos, individually optimized, to the customer, via DropBox, the optical fibre ensures the transmission of perfectly calibrated images in a few minutes. For over twenty years the photographer has cultivated his reputation as ultra-pro, something to seduce and retain a clientele as demanding as versatile, solicited today by dozens of low-cost photographers little seasoned. Christian Fournier specializes in fashion, advertising, industry, reporting, corporate and wedding. It is therefore not surprising that L'Oréal has always been using its services for a dozen years. Like other major brands such as Renault, GMF or Tollens, the global cosmetics giant confided its event knowing that the man is able to deliver 5000 irreproachable photos within three days to illustrate its international network Behind his looks as a teacher from his past as a mathematician, the sexagenarian photographer, shoots with the precision and speed of an elite hunter dubbed the creativity of a art director. Professional digital pioneer, he seized technology twenty years ago to make it a formidable tool without ever falling into strafing. In a few moments, he analyzes the scene, the scenario is put in place, his fingers caress the knobs of the Nikon or Hasselblad. After so many years of experience in the four corners of the planet, the adjustments are made today instinctively, releasing all his attention on the essential: the emotion. Unlike others who spend their time controlling if the photo is good, he knows! Focus on the moment and especially do not miss moments of grace that will never come back. Beyond his now flawless mastery of photography, Christian Fournier remains a character in this environment, appealing guy, who has kept all the British humour acquired during his years studying photography in England. Self-deprecation is part of his daily life, as is the meaning of gag. At ease in all situations, a supermodel or the CEO of a CAC40 company, will not make him lose his means. Authoritarian without ever losing his courtesy, Christian Fournier directs, advises, models or clients but remains the prime contractor. The client will discover the results later, always pleasantly surprised by unexpected angles and a science of almost magical light. After a long career in the US, advertising, editorial and cruise ships, Christian Fournier has since anchored in Paris. From his small ship in the 13th district where he has a photo studio, he puts passion, reactivity, reliability and imagination at the service of a perfect photograph. A suitcase always at hand to carry out a reportage at the end of the world, scuba diving or aboard a helicopter! Richard Kirsch, journalist |
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![]() 10 000 photos, 25 bottles of aspirin, 2 pairs of glasses, 3 computers, 2 scanners, an iPad, an iPhone, 250 litres of coffee, and my 150 yellow-paged scrapbooks were used in necessary for this creation. |
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I hope you'll like it, it took me hours. |
![]() I took this photo of the incredible David Turner in Colorado in 1983. No he did not fly away. |
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I am looking for an editor for this magnificent visual book of photos which is original and unique in its abundant illustrations. It contains some spectacular photos, sociological studies, profound philosophical reflections, a bankrupcy or maybe two, unexpected developments, a plethora of pedagogical technical details, scuba diving, amourous escapades, travels, glaciers, fish, sailing, aviation, and some very pretty sometimes scantily-clad young women. It has a huge archeological value. I have provided many photos so that the chief editor has more than enough to choose from. You know, I could even have it adapted for the big screen, Hollywood style. Although I can’t quite decide between Leonardo Di Caprio or George Clooney for the lead role. |
“Anything that happens, happens. Anything that, in happening, causes something else to happen, causes something else to happen. Anything that, in happening, causes itself to happen again, happens again. It doesn’t necessarily do it in chronological order, though.” ― Douglas Adams |
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This site is not very recommendable, sometimes hilarious, sometimes fascinating, sometimes frightening. |
I am an individual born on earth, of human race, western, white, not racist, of French and Anglo-Saxon cultures, bilingual French-English, tireless traveller, scientist, solid humour, atheist with only one "religion": love, heterosexual, feminist, professional versatile photographer, asthmatic, underwater diver, sail captain, airplane pilot, glacier climber, pacifist, ecologist, journalist without press card, completely independent, uncensored, political opinion: freedom, direct, naive. ![]() "You should bring something into the world that wasn't in the world before. It doesn't matter what that is. It doesn't matter if it's a table or a film or gardening - everyone should create. You should do something then sit back and say: I did that." Ricky Gervais |
I walked with broken shoes, but also with good shoes. I ate bake beans cold from the tin without anything, but I also ate in very good restaurants. I walked out with money in my pocket, but other times penniless. I took pictures with rotten cameras, but also with the best ones in the world. I owned a beautiful house in Canada but six months later was homeless in Paris. I have just retired and will receive € 519 per month. My monthly expenses are 1265 €. My life is like that, with ups and downs. |
My first name is Christian. I had no choice in that. And I am not religious. I believe religion was OK when people knew nothing about the world they lived in, like in the Middle Ages when the bible was written. Even though we do not know what or who created the big bang, we now understand the forces of nature and the sequence of events since then. Also the evolution of life is extremely slow, random and unconcerned with the well being of individuals. Not the work of an intelligent mind. Or a very very vicious one indeed. Still, some bits of life are very beautiful. |
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POSSIBLE TITLES FOR THIS BIO My life one shutter click at a time / Illustrated Visual Biography / The first really illustrated bio / 100% photographer / The big picture / Scrapbook / Photographic memories / Confessions of a photographer / Eulogy / Holiday Workbook / Before the possible onset of Alzheimer / My uncensored Facebook / The most versatile photographer on the planet / Christian Fournier's fabulous and failed destiny / A hard day's night / My Encyclopedia Galactica / The Long and Winding Road / 21 900 days in the life of Christian Fournier / Nothing to hide, nothing to loose / The 60 years of Christian Fournier Magical Mystery Tour / Publish or Perish / Bloodrush / The Hitchhikers Guide to photography / Many lives in one / An all-around exceptional photographer / Thought provoking bio / Eulogy / A retrospective compilation of Christian Fournier's work / The humour of a failure / Bazinga ! / What the fuck? ...... More .... |
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Thank you dear clients |
This biography is a literary and journalistic work: Photography, the Universe and Everything! ![]() *************************************************** All earlier rumours of my death have been greatly exaggerated, 1 - Sexual exhaustion ![]() |
Dalaï-Lama: "When you are criticized, remember that you will never be criticized by someone who does more than you, you will be criticized by someone who does less or nothing." |
Conclusion 1: I must not be bad, so that all these people trust me. Conclusion 2: Thanks to all these varied clients (industry, wedding, corporate and personal portraits, press, events, objects, medical, culinary, diving, sports, pageants, etc. ..), I see extraordinary slices of life, confidential or public, trades and fabulous countries. I do feel very privileged. Real life, live. Thank you customers. In rough estimation, I take 5,000 photos a week. 5,000 x 52 = 260,000 a year. For 35 years = 9,100,000 photos. Well, I would like to reach 10 million anyway! Conclusion 3: Photography is my language |
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![]() Due to manipulations between prisedevue.photos, prisedevue.photos and famousphotographer.com, some links may be broken. Sorry. I'm working on it ! |
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************************* MY BLOGS Not many photographers have the courage to show their photos on a daily basis. I do it to show that in a wide range of photography, I always take good photos for my clients. Technical perfection and an obvious sensitivity. If you imagine the logistic necessary for these missions (estimates, preparations, equipment, transports in traffic jams, safety, etc.), you can see that I am a photographer who achieves results in all circumstances.
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CONTACT |
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WWW.FAMOUSPHOTOGRAPHER.COM The archives | |||||||||||||||||||||||
************************* Intellectual Copyright Property 2020 Christian Fournier. All rights are reserved. All texts, photos, graphs, sound files and videos in this website are protected. Their reproduction, modification and uses on other web sites than those by Christian Fournier are strictly forbidden. Most of the photos on my web site are for sale, except, of course, the ones for which I do not have the models or decor releases. I am at your disposal for any query you may have.
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