Sylvie and Jean-Pierre Pappis are the gris-gris of the world of photojournalism. As long as they are there, we know we still exist. Indefatigably, 24 hours a day they meet, advise, comfort. It’s the ultimate iconic image for a world that certainly has need of it.
How long has Polaris existed?
Jean-Pierre Pappis: September 2002, and our first presence at Perpignan after a year of existence in September 2003, and so this is our 8th year of participating at Visa.
In 2011, Polaris, agency of photographers, looks a little like a surrounded Gallic village, encircled by the Roman legions, i.e. Corbis and others like Getty…is that the situation?
Jean-Pierre Pappis: When Polaris began, we benefited from strong support from photographers, magazine clients and foreign agents. In 2002, the three large traditional agencies Sygma, Gamma and Sipa either already no longer existed or were on the point of it. Swallowed up by the “structures” which knew nothing about photojournalism practices and nothing about the three nutritive branches which I just mentioned, that is photographers, magazines and agents. Polaris was seen as the agency which was taking over the place of the three former agencies and because of that was well received by these three activities of the profession. In addition we had a cutting-edge technology thanks to my programmer and associate Laurent Imbaud while Getty and Corbis were not yet ready. That was as a result our golden age which lasted until 2007, 2008. Little by little the “giants” imposed themselves.
How?
Jean-Pierre Pappis: They imposed themselves by selling cheaply, by practicing a devastating dumping, they were followed by Reuters and AP, AFP distributed by Getty… But “they” are not the only ones responsible, even if they were the main parties involved in it. The crises of the press, and the information disclosed by the Net. An event is on the Net a few instants after the action, whether the images are good or bad, a very good series of photos arriving three days after looks like “déjà vu.” The Net tends to devalue the “good image.”
So, the market has diminished but the agency is still here with projects for the future…
Which ones?
Jean-Pierre Pappis: For the moment, I have to be discreet but we have a plan which gives us hope for our future.
How many photographers do you work with?
Jean-Pierre Pappis: 70 regular contributing photographers
Are they aware that they are working for an Agency in “the tradition?”
Jean-Pierre Pappis: They are happy to talk to an editor and to know what’s happening regarding their work.
Do they live, economically speaking, thanks to revenues procured for them by Polaris?
Jean-Pierre Pappis: They earn their living with Polaris as intermediary but they must do pot-boiler work as well.
How many on your New York staff?
Jean-Pierre Pappis: 10
How many agents around the world?
Jean-Pierre Pappis: 28
How is the market divided up?
Jean-Pierre Pappis: US 50%, and the rest of the word, 50%
And between archives and commissioned jobs?
Jean-Pierre Pappis: Approximately: archives 60%, jobs 40%. We also do corporate photography.
What does Perpignan represent for you?
Jean-Pierre Pappis: It is meeting place unique in the world for our profession. Within a few days, meeting new photographers, magazine photo editors, agents, colleagues….In the US, Visa is looked forward to and whoever can go doesn’t miss the occasion. I’ve noticed in recent years photographers coming from Africa, Asia, South America, it’s just great.
A conclusion?
Jean-Pierre Pappis: It’s a passionate profession, a passion which gnaws at me with pleasure and which I fully intend to continue.
Michel Philippot conducted this interview yesterday with Jean-Pierre Pappis, president of Polaris photographic agency.
