What is the best thing that I love about my work?

I am a Qualified European Photographer and, also, a professor in three superior private schools (mostly dedicated to digital arts), in Southern France. I love my current balance as a professional, since I am an entrepreneur who gets to choose what is on the menu of my missions each month.

What is my idea of happiness?

Quite honestly, I am still exploring a path to figure that out. But in the meantime, as I get to reflect on what the world has become, I guess the draft of my answer would be : my cherished ones being happy and healthy, feeling good about the future, remembering my most beloved memories (I’m a nostalgic one) and making my pets happy.

What is my greatest fear?

I happen to have a lot of those but I try not to think about them too much.

What is the trait that I most deplore in myself?

I am not forgiving. Most of the time, not the slightest bit.

Which living persons in my profession do I most admire?

A real hard question. There are many photographers whom I most sincerely admire. I could mention Eugenio Recuenco, Joel-Peter Witkin, Nadar, Alessio Albi…
She may not be a photographer, but I must mention Naomi Campbell here. I admire her so much, for she is a hardworking, inspiring, classy and strong woman.

As a teacher, I have always looked up to my mom, who has taught her whole life until retirement. She was great at it, always in a superb mood, and truly caring towards “her kids”. I can tell, I was in her classroom for an entire year when I was 14. I have been teaching for six years now and I have always been inspired by her own methods.

What is my greatest extravagance?

All the crazy sh*t inside my head but I don’t unleash it often.

 On what occasion would I lie?

To keep you safe, Darling.

What is the thing that I dislike the most in my work?

Its addictive effect. My Mr Hyde is a workaholic me. 

When and where was I the happiest, in my work?

These past four years, alongside my partner. I just feel safer in this crazy world when we do something together.

If I could, what would I change about myself?

I was tempted to spontaneously answer with a few options, but I realized these are things I actually could change, no matter how hard the effort to be made.
So… maybe one thing I would love to be able to entirely control but obviously can’t : time.

What is my greatest achievement in work?

My clients being happy with the photos I created.

Where would I most like to live?

Australia. It is close to my homeland, New Caledonia. And I just love it there. Only a matter of time before I return.

What is my most treasured possession?

Basically everything I have, even very small gadgets or objects the function of which is to remind me of a moment, a place, a memory… I constantly need to remember beautiful memories from my past to feel truly happy.

What is my most marked characteristic?

I am a maniac.

What is my most inspirational location, in my city?

Okay so you should know I am currently based in Montpellier, in Southern France. It is a rather medium-sized city with a vast array of different landscapes and moods.
Yet, the location I feel most inspired in has to be my apartment, at night.

What is my favorite place to eat and drink, in my city?

To eat ? A very cute restaurant called Peacefood, downtown.
To drink ? Any bar.

What books influenced my life and how?

Daniel Tammet’s Born on a Blue Day and Embracing the Wide Sky helped me a lot on many levels (it is a very intimate insight so I won’t dive into too much detail, but reading those helped me with the way I perceive the world and the way I perceive and accept myself).
Then, Carlo M. Cipolla’s The Basic Laws of Human Stupidity (just read it).And, last but not least, The Great Gatsby by F.S. Fitzgerald, because it has been very seldom for me to be able to relate to a character so much. Jay G. is a really moving character, to me.

I highly recommend those.

You Only Die Once. What music would I listen to on my last day?

Hardest question ever.
I guess I would want it to be a track that brings people together, that makes me feel happy and overwhelmed with nice memories…

Who is my hero or heroine in fiction?

Elliott and ET.
And Beatrix Kiddo, most sincerely. 

Who are my heroes and heroines in real life?

Voltaire, Aretha Franklin, Jane Austen, Edith Piaf, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Sir Peter Cook, Walt Disney, Salvador Dali, Giuseppe Arcimboldo, my parents…

Which movie would I recommend to see once in a lifetime?

TITANIC. Haunting.

What role play stories in my life and work?

They inspire me and give me hope and strength.

 What do the words ‘You are the storyteller of your own life’ mean to me?

Life is short and necessary decisions which need to be taken can never really wait.

Who is my greatest fan, sponsor, partner in crime?

My boyfriend, but my mom won’t fancy this answer.
You can consider this answer the other way around. 

Which people or companies would I like to work with in 2022?

I would love to work with Lady Gaga, the band Steam Powered Giraffe, 4Ocean, Vogue and raising artist Ethan Bortnick (Ethan, I need to shoot your portrait).

What project, in 2022, am I looking forward to working on?

Working on myself.

Where can you see me or my work in 2022?

On the Internet, but if you would like to meet me, simply drop me a line.

What do the words “Passion Never Retires” mean to me?

I believe these words to be true.
My current jobs were not my initial passions. My first and forever passion is all about horses. I know there will come a time when I drop EVERYTHING to return to them.

Which creative professionals should Peter invite to tell their story?

Kévin PAYET (with whom I have been working for four years) – kevin@melbasfilm.com

My friend Hayden, she’s one hell of a talented French artist : https://www.instagram.com/deterrahayden/

How can you contact me?

https://www.linkedin.com/in/charlotte-poncin-melbas/
contact@melbas801.com
https://www.charlotteponcinphotography.com/