Hasta La Ideas

Inspired by budding French fashion photographer Sandrine Castellan’s passion for oddly composed photos, CH asked the up-and-comer who currently inspires her work. While the three that top her list reflect her interest in unusual poses and unconventional settings, each photographer has their own distinct style and compelling way of visually crafting a story. We caught up with each of them to get a fuller understanding of their approach.

Sandrine Castellan

Raised in Aix-en-Provence, Montreal-based photographer Sandrine Castellan has been working her way around the camera since her grandfather gave her first one nearly 15 years ago. Castellan considers collaboration her “biggest thrill,” finding inspiration in unexpected ideas and people but recognizes that it begins with a meticulously-selected team.

After switching her focus from still to motion pictures during college, Castellan returned to the medium upon graduation. She is continuously pushing herself, finding her most interesting project is “the next one.”

Jonathan Waiter

Known for creating photos that show a model’s vulnerability, Jonathan Waiter‘s stunning black-and white-images simultaneously reflect both sensitivity and empowerment. Intent on creating as visceral a feeling as possible, the Netherlands-based photographer’s images are a raw interpretation of beauty.

Waiter essentially considers photography a predatory form that, by seizing the scene from reality, ultimately transforms the meaning.

David Aaron Morett

NYC-based photographer David Aaron Morett has been obsessed with taking pictures ever since the night a “guy named Hwa” gave him a “wonky old Nikon with a broken light meter.”

The style of Henri Cartier-Bresson sparked Morett’s interest in photography—making him determined to find those indescribably beautiful moments in time and “capture them like rare butterflies.” After years assisting, printing and retouching, more recently Morett has become focused on the craft of photography, finding nuances in lighting techniques and well-conceived projects.

Red de Leon

Preferring an “invisible” style of photography, NYC-based Red de Leon successfully depicts models in awkward poses using understated lighting and simple framing. His contemplative nature shows up in each image, and, while he finds the industry limiting in regard to full creative potential, his resulting thought-provoking photographs are full of energy.

Inspired by Michael Haneke’s film “The White Ribbon,” de Leon regards transitional periods in history as a relevant interest. Concerned with highlighting essential human elements, he hopes to explore an anachronistic story that teaches him about “design, human nature, fashion and progress.”