This Parisian has followed a unique path, for after having done Vaugirard and worked in various studios in Paris specialized in publicity photography. Nothing seemed to discourage him from a domain in which he excelled: "At the time my colleagues and I considered shop photographers as amateurs and I never imagined that I would become one of them.".

FROM PORTRAIT TO VIDEO

This though is what happened after the events of May 1968 when the company where Jean-Pierre Germain had been working for many years was forced to close its doors: “I found myself unemployed and was forced to contemplate my future. I was young and had the opportunity to give another sense to my life so I decided to change career that is when I nearly took over my father’s business as a binder. In the end I decided to prioritize my quality of life. My dream had been to be in contact with nature, to have a dog, a horse, I was not the only one who wanted this, and it was the fashion at the time. My parents had a house in Isle sur Sorgue. I liked the area, and there happened to be a photographer at the end of his career there, I bought up his business. It was not an easy decision as I had the impression that by acting like this I was sacrificing my career as a publicity photographer. I felt that I was lowering myself by working in a shop, so I had to motivate myself."

With the experience he had, Jean-Pierre Germain was going to change the local traditions. He was thus the first to propose wedding photos taken outside. In spite of this he was unable to express himself and impose his style leaving him frustrated.

In the1980s, his career path changed again leading him into printing; "I quickly discovered that this was not for me and after two years sold my shares." His change of heart was brought about by the development of video. Jean-Pierre Germain was fascinated by this new medium, and without any particular training, he began a new adventure. He directed his first film for a pharmaceutical company, a real wager which made the professionals smile, but that Jean-Pierre Germain stood by without weakening. The first was followed by fifteen more, then a large contract with the department of the Vaucluse, who gave him the exclusive production of their promotional films for a period of ten years. Jean-Pierre Germain was confirmed in this new activity.

THE RETURN

The shop and the studio of Isle sur Sorgue though are not closed, simply neglected by their owner, who takes care of a few marriages, from time to time, without any conviction and who leaves the good running of the business in his wife’s capable hands.

At the start of the 90s, Jean-Pierre Germain became a great reporter, traveling around the ex USSR, producing films for television, distancing him ever further from Isle sur Sorgue, where, despite everything he opened a second shop, this time in a in a shopping gallery, with a mini-lab. This new activity was soon to prove profitable but where filming was still second in command.

In 1993 Jean-Pierre Germain changed direction once again. For family reasons, mainly, he returned home, he took up photography and wedding photos once again, but his desire was to start anew and confirm his place in this domain. The GNPP and Arthur Plater, help him with their volontarist speeches. At the 1993 Congress in Beaume en 1993 he met many famous professionals like Bruno Alberghini and Joseph Simoné who helped him discover, or rather rediscover, the techniques of studio lighting and the use of lighting in outdoor shots. Afterwards he does not stop participating in GNPP manifestations and profits largely from his contemporaries’ knowledge. “The Beaune Congress was the starting point for a lot of meetings which opened doors for me, that allowed me to renew myself, to revise the elementary elements of my profession and to discover the new fashions concerning portraits. I was gradually re-integrated but I admit that it was difficult."

Nowadays it would seem that Jean-Pierre Germain has succeeded in his redeployment. He lives a new passion, he feels at home in his new, old, profession, continuously progressing and searching for new ways to express himself. His first results are tangible; he obtained them in the domain of marriage photographs not taken during the ceremony, most often a few days after the ceremony, a way of working which seems dreamlike to many.

Jean-Pierre Germain has moved to forty marriages a year from a humble few, a statistic that most would judge as comfortable, but which is far from the records set by others. He does not believe though that he can go any further: " I cannot and do not desire to do more, I invest so much in my marriage photographs that preparation takes me a lot of time. I try never to work in the same place; I am perpetually searching for a place with a soul. The photo shots take on average three hours as it takes place a distance from the ceremony, the couple have the time and I only stop when I believe I have done the maximum."

A UNIQUE ATMOSPHERE

Jean Pierre Germain uses Provence’s scenery beautifully, the sites, the warm lighting of a day which is nearing its end, it all has a magical feel. In his photography there floats a unique atmosphere which can only seduce a young couple. “A marriage photograph if you think about it is primarily the photograph of a couple but not necessarily the photograph of a couple on their wedding day. It is a couple who are having fun, who have feelings for one another and one must find these feelings within the photograph. Jean-Pierre Germain manner rand work have seduced the directors of the GNPP, so much so that they asked him to take over an atelier at the last conference of marriage photography. Hence the pupil has quickly become teacher.

Even though Jean Pierre Germain believes he has reached his aim in the domain of marriage photography he knows that he still has a lot to do for his portraits in studio: “Of course I take good studio photographs but not as good as during a wedding. I do not have the same level, I have not yet found my path, and I watch and learn from the work of others, I really want both my presentation and style to evolve." Jean Pierre Germain is somewhat hard on himself. His portraits already possess fine appearance and even if the studio does not inspire him his outdoor work, like his marriage photography uses natural scenery perfectly. His work has captured the attention of his contemporaries; he has just concluded a contract with eighteen directors of public and establishments to display his pictures. The pictures will be shown in each place for a period of two months, meaning that they will be seen for nearly three years! Pictures that will of course be renewed and chosen according to the place they are being shown in. Pictures of young people in trendy bars, photographs of older or elderly people in hospitals. He knows exactly what he is doing, he is an excellent manager who is oft cited as an example, and who is even invited to seminars to give his fellow photographers advice.

Sa production retient en tout cas l'attention de ses concitoyens, il vient de conclure un accord avec dix-huit responsables d'établissements publics ou privés pour exposer ses portraits. A raison de deux mois par établissement, voilà des images qui sont assurées de tourner dans la ville pendant trois ans! Des images qui seront bien entendu renouvelées et choisies en fonction des lieux. Photos de jeunes gens dans des restaurants branchés, photos de personnes d'âge mur ou du troisième âge dans un hôpital. Car il sait parfaitement mener sa barque, c'est un excellent gestionnaire qui est souvent cité en exemple, et qu'on invite même à des séminaires pour qu'il donne des conseils à ses confrères.

Jean-Pierre Germain is a surprising character who has always know how best to adapt his passion to his work. Beginning a new career at fifty is not a common phenomenon. Jean-Pierre Germain dared throw himself into this adventure and it seems that he has almost reached success.

Dominique Héry - LE PHOTOGRAPHE - March 1997