Yann Feron is a very talented fashion photographer based in New York. He was raised in France and has traveled to over 38 countries. In addition to fashion he shoots glamour, swimsuit, lingerie, art, commercial and fitness. He has been an avid photographer since he was 17. Yann shoots for international magazines and has been instrumental in helping to launch the careers of musicians, actors and actresses, models and artists.

In addition, he has worked with male and female models from the following agencies: 301, BASIC, ALL ABOUT HYPE, CODE, CHOICE, ELITE, MAJOR, ID, APM, IMG, IPM, IKON, NEW YORK MODELS, CHOICE, MC2, LEVEL1, Q, SILVER, RACE, RENEGADE, TRUMP, WILHELMINA, NEXT, KARIN, MEGA, CRYSTAL, MADEMOISELLE PARIS, RED, and many others.

I am thrilled to have been able to interview him! He is great!

YANN FERON: I started my career as a semi-pro photographer when I was in high school. I went to Ecuador for a hiking trip and did a documentary in slides in 1992. That’s how I got more serious about photography, but I did not think about being a pro photographer. I studied then SPORTS SCIENCES and got a bachelor degree in Physical education, which I taught for ten years.

After travelling to more than 50 countries and documenting my trips, I landed in NYC and started doing portraits of people for fun, and I started doing fashion… 10 years later I only do photography and gave up teaching 4 years ago.

 

AVIVA: What photographers inspire you and why?

 

AVIVA: What achievements in your career are you most proud of? (ie. publications, etc)

I’ve shot also for SHOEHOLICS magazine with their 2 entire issues in 2 days. It was a lot of work but filling 80 pages of a magazine in 2 days was a great accomplishment. I learnt lately that some of my photos were showcased in TIMES SQUARE NYC. Although I did not see it, it feels good to know that.

AVIVA: Do you pre-visualize your photos or do you put all the components together as you go?

YF: I always start with an inspiration and with my guts. I am surrounded with talented people for make up hair and wardrobe stylist, so I explain to them my vision and then they do their crafts. I am like a conductor of a classical orchestra i.e. I direct lead but don’t impose.

AVIVA: What excites you about photography?
YF: The plurality of photography: this week I shot an art series with a ballerina for a book I am preparing (” BACK TO BACK”), a headshot for an actress, a glamour spread for FHM, a test shoot for an agency, shot Javier Colon (winner of THE VOICE) for HOMBRE magazine and did 2 castings for two shoots for next week. Every day is something special.

AVIVA: Do you feel your travels have helped you with your photographic visions and if so how?

YF: Well I shoot super fast, I don’t spend lots of time on each look. I know what I want and I guess my photojournalism past has helped me to capture a moment without building it.

A photo has to stay natural.

AVIVA: What piece of advice do you have to models who would like to succeed in their careers?

YF: Be a pro! This means: lifestyle, health, diet, fitness, no smoking (your skin will thank you when you’ll be in your late 20s) and have fun, take risks. In America nudity is a taboo, and in France nudity is art and models are so concerned about a nipple showing because most of American photographers use nudity in a sexual way,and in Europe nudity is used in fashion as a must for the beauty of a woman… there is a big difference.

AVIVA: What do you look for in a model?

YF: Spontaneity, versatility and personality.

AVIVA: Do you have any additional comments?

YF: Stay tuned and watch me. 🙂 In 2013 I should have a new TV show on STYLE TV network called MODEL GENIUS where I’ll be the co-host and judge.

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I would like to thank Yann for the interview and I wish him all the best! Check him out: FACEBOOK, Tumblr, WEBSITE, TWITTER, ZENFOLIO.