Ael Pagny : Photo as a Reflex
From a very young age, Ael Pagny was captivated by the unique landscapes of Patagonia where she spent a large part of her childhood, and felt in total communion with the great spaces. At the same time, she has always had a certain sensitivity to art, as her parents were immersed in this environment. Moving several times, she studied in various schools and decided to finish her high school studies in the United States. It is during her first years of high school that she really discovered her passion for photography. After graduating from high school, Ael decided to turn her passion into a profession and enrolled at Parsons School of Design in New York City, where she graduated after two and a half years. She quickly started working for the brand Post-Imperial before becoming a freelance photographer. Inspired by New York, its streets, its parks and its energy, she loves to wander around with her camera slung over her shoulder to observe and let herself be carried away by encounters, by a look or a reflection. She collects moments to capture their magical side and escape. Her photos mix portraiture, fashion and storytelling. When she works with models, she likes to take them to do something different. The result: witty series with a certain restraint and touching simplicity.
Also passionate about music a world she knows well and for good reason, she has, during the year 2021, followed and photographed the concerts of a certain Florent Pagny … her dad.
Blood doesn’t lie !
Instagram : ael.ael.ael
Your first photographic trigger?
Ael Pagny : I was 13 or 14 years old and with my parents we lived in Argentina. I started taking a lot of pictures with my cell phone. I photographed anything and everything, especially animals and landscapes. It became like a reflex. My friends and family often told me that they liked my pictures and I ended up realizing that maybe not everyone had this “reflex” or “eye”. This made me want to pursue this path.
Who is the man or woman who inspires you?
Ael Pagny : There are many, and among them: Sasha Samsonova, Lynsey Addario, Nadia Lee Cohen and David LaChapelle.
The image you would have liked to do?
Ael Pagny : Any image from “Vue Du Ciel” by Yann Arthus-Bertrand.
The one that moved you the most?
Ael Pagny : “Women are Heroes” by JR in Rio de Janeiro.
And the one that made you angry?
Ael Pagny : “Veiled Rebellion” by Lynsey Addario
A key image in your personal pantheon?
Ael Pagny : A self-portrait where I am wearing an orange dress that belonged to my mother.
What quality do you need to be a good photographer?
Ael Pagny : Being attentive to details.
The secret of the perfect image, if it exists?
Ael Pagny : There is no secret I think. And perfection is such a subjective notion. It often comes down to a fraction of a second.
The person you would dream of photographing?
Ael Pagny : I hadn’t thought about it before, but I would like to photograph Nathy Peluso, a young Argentinean rap singer.
An essential photo book?
Ael Pagny : LaChapelle Land
The camera of your beginnings?
Ael Pagny : Canon PowerShot SD1300IS blue, but to be honest, I mostly made my first images with an iPhone 4.
Which one do you use today?
Ael Pagny : A Leica SL2S.
Your favorite drug?
Ael Pagny : Music.
The best way to disconnect for you?
Ael Pagny : Being in nature without any network (wifi or phone)
Your greatest quality?
Ael Pagny :My empathy.
An image to illustrate a new banknote?
Ael Pagny : Different images of mountains.
The job you would not have liked to do?
Ael Pagny : Working in a slaughterhouse
Your biggest extravagance as a photographer?
Ael Pagny : I haven’t had any extreme experiences as a photographer yet, but once I stayed up until 5am shooting at night. Is that extreme?
Which city, country or culture do you dream of discovering?
Ael Pagny : Japan in its entirety.
The place you never get tired of?
Ael Pagny : Our family house in Argentina.
Your biggest regret?
Ael Pagny : I don’t have any real big regrets that come to mind. In terms of photography, there were moments when I didn’t manage to capture the image I wanted and it frustrated me for a short while without more.
Instagram, Tik Tok or Snapchat?
Ael Pagny : Instagram.
Color or B&W?
Ael Pagny : Color.
Daylight or studio light?
Ael Pagny : Daylight.
The most photogenic city according to you?
Ael Pagny : Paris.
If God existed, would you ask him to pose for you, or would you opt for a selfie with him?
Ael Pagny : I would find it more fun and memorable to take a selfie with God.
The image that represents for you the current state of the world?
Ael Pagny : I’ve thought long and hard about this question and only negative things come to mind, so I’m a pretty positive person in general… So it’s hard to sum it up in one image.
