Sabine Weiss

Sabine Weiss was born in Switzerland in 1924. In 1942, she wonders what she will do with her life, and decides that she should become a photographer because it is what she loves to do. She is the daughter of a mother who showed her art galleries and Roman churches at a very young age, and of a researcher chemist father who loved to see her print her little photos with the resources available at the time.

From 1942 until 1945 she was an apprentice at Boissonnas in Geneva, house of a dynasty of photographers that celebrated its 80th birthday.

In 1945 Sabine Weiss moved to a studio in Geneva, but in 1946 she decided to leave the city of her childhood to live in Paris. She knew there was no turning back. She asked Willy Maywald to become her assistant. In 1949, she met the painter Hugh Weiss and realized right away that she would spend her life with him. Sabine Weiss left Maywald, where she mastered her craft and started a long career, experimenting fashion, photojournalism, advertising and everything else she was asked to do.

During her free time, she liked to immortalize the depths of man in all simplicity. Her photographs moved Edward Steichen when preparing his major exhibition "The Family of Man" therefore he decided to present three of her images.

In recent years, Sabine Weiss has dedicated her time to exhibitions that showcase the humanist side of her work because it meant a lot to her.

Key dates
1924 July 23rd Birth at Gingolph in Switzerland, Naturalized French in 1995.
1942-45 Apprentice at Boissonas in Geneva
1945 Swiss diploma of photography
1946 Settles permanently in Paris
1946-50 Assistant of Willy Maywald
1950 Weds the American artist Hugh Weiss
1951 Works for several advertising agencies
1952-61 Contract with Vogue Magazine (Fashion and Assignments)
1952 Enters the Agency Rapho
1952 Free-lance for major magazines in the USA and in Europe like Paris Match, Life, Time, Newsweek, Town And Country, Fortune, Holiday, European Travel And Life, Esquire... covering countries in Europe, Africa, North America and Asia.

Most recent exhibitions:
2014 Vannes, Festival de la Photo de Mer "Portugal, 1954"
2014 Zürich, Photobastei, Rétrospective
2014 Genève, Galerie Patrick Cramer, Portraits d’artistes (Giacometti et Miro)
2014 Salon de la Photo, Paris, Porte de Versailles, rétrospective « Chère Sabine » (Tribute to the photographer's 90th birthday)

For the full list of her exhibitions, public collection, publications, workshops and TV Shows check out the full list Here

Decorations
1987 Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres (Knight of Arts and Letters)
1999 Officier des Arts et des Lettres (Officer of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres)
2010 Ordre national du Mérite (French National Order of Merit)


All about Sabine Weiss:

AAP: When did you realize you wanted to be a photographer?
In 1942, I was 18. But I started taking photographs at a very young age with a small Bakelite camera I had bought with my savings. Ever since I was a little girl, I made my own contact prints using a small wooden chassis that I would place on my window and stabilize with kitchen salt.

AAP: Where did you study photography? With whom? How did you become photographers?
I am 18 when I start working at the Boissonas studio in Geneva, it was celebrating its 80th Birthday. From 1942 to 1945, I learn the photographic technique and how to use all the equipment that nowadays seem primitive. This is where I learn lighting, retouching, the practice of 18x24 and 24x30 view cameras, prepare baths and make deliveries for clients.

AAP: Do you remember your first shot? What was it?
The first photograph that I loved was a crucifix placed on Saint-Pierre-de-Clages’ church ‘s altar in Switzerland, a small Norman church.

AAP:What was your first paid assignment/job?
In 1945 I get my photographer’s degree and I open my own studio in the center of Geneva. I undertake advertising, portraits and start documentary before relocating definitively to Paris in 1946.
In 1952, at Vogue, Robert Doisneau discovers my photographs and offers me to join his Agency Rapho. I sign at the same time for Vogue a nine-year contract. In the United States, Charles Rado who represents the Rapho Agency in New York, supports my work and presents me to numerous American reviews for which I have worked for many years: Time, Life, New York Times, Newsweek, Town & Country, Fortune, Holiday, European Travel & Life, Esquire.

AAP: What or who inspires you?
Anything human and out of the ordinary

AAP: How could you describe your style?
Always spontaneous but with a view for composition.

AAP: Do you have a favorite photograph or series?
My photographs are my children; I love them all!
But at the moment I particularly like the photograph of the « clochard gentleman » (gentleman hobo)

AAP: What kind of gear do you use? Camera, lens, digital, film?
I have worked with many different formats from 8/10 inches to 24x36 mm images and of course the 24x36 mm gave me more freedom to take spontaneous and candid photographs.

AAP: What is the influence of digital technology on your photography?
I don’t use digital cameras for shooting.
I use technology for scans and sometimes make large format prints for exhibitions.

AAP: Do you spend a lot of time editing your images? For what purpose?
Yes, I have always done it very carefully, for myself, for the press, for books and exhibitions; and I am editing once again! I want to review all my contact sheets with a fresh look.

AAP: How do you choose your subjects?
At random, I don’t choose; I photograph what strikes and touches me.

AAP: Can you explain the process that you use to set up a portrait?
Each portrait was done in a different way, depending of the situation: sometimes arranged, with flash, with candles.

AAP: Favorite(s) photographer(s)?
Marc Riboud

AAP: What advice would you give a young photographer?
To keep a personal point of view, no matter the technique.

AAP: What mistake should a young photographer avoid?
Not take enough distance with his photographs and want to go too fast.

AAP: What are your projects?
After the big exhibition in Paris at the Salon de la Photo, another one in December/January at the Lumiere Brothers Photo Gallery in Moscow and in 2015/2016 other exhibitions in France, for the month of photography in Nevers, the biennial of image in Nancy…

AAP: Your best memory as a photographer?
So many good memories, encounters, unforeseen events.

AAP: Your worst souvenir as a photographer?
One day when the flashes didn’t trigger.

AAP:The compliment that touched you most?
One day a woman came to my house and told me: “the photograph of the little Egyptian girl, I want it, I can’t live without it anymore.”

AAP: Did someone or something change your way of thinking?
No

AAP:The award that touched you most?
The French National Order of Merit I received in 2010

AAP: Is there another job you could have done?
All the manual trades I came to know.

AAP: Your favorite photo book?
"The Family of Man" from Edward Steichen and so many more.

AAP: An anecdote that comes to your mind?
I started photography in 1942, there would be too much to tell!

AAP: Anything else you would like to share?
I’d love to come to the USA for a show!!!