At just 16 years old, photographer Axel Guerrier is preparing to showcase his most beautiful photographs for the first time at the Bellissima Institute in Faugerolles, Lot-et-Garonne, on Saturday, December 6, 2025. Behind his quiet demeanor lies a journey marked by painful ordeals that have shaped his unique artistic vision and deep sensitivity to life's simple moments.
Axel's story began with unimaginable challenges when he was diagnosed with ear cancer at only 4 years old. "We went through hell," confides his mother, Sophie, describing her son's childhood marked by dozens of chemotherapy sessions and nearly daily anesthesia procedures. The trauma was compounded by another devastating loss when Axel's father passed away when the boy was just 9 years old.
It is perhaps this difficult journey that has allowed this teenager to develop an almost instinctive sensitivity for the simple things in life, which he now expresses through photography. The medium has become a refuge for him, offering solace and purpose after years of medical treatments and personal loss. His photographs will be unveiled for the first time in an exhibition titled "Éclosion" (Bloom) on Saturday, December 6, 2025, at the Bellissima Institute in Faugerolles from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Currently a second-year student in watchmaking at Marcel-Dassault High School in Mérignac, Axel is training to repair watches, a meticulous craft he discovered through his grandfather. However, behind the apprentice watchmaker lies a passionate photographer whose talent emerged through curiosity and determination. "I was given a telescope and I attached my phone to it. That's how my first photos were born," he explains.
As a self-taught photographer, Axel learned entirely on his own, driven by an insatiable curiosity and natural talent. Photography has truly become his sanctuary. "When I go out for walks, I don't think about anything," he says, describing how the practice provides him with peace and mental clarity. Nature serves as his playground, which he explores in search of fleeting moments and perfect light.
Fascinated by birds, Axel traverses paths and undergrowth with his DSLR camera, ready to capture a wing beat or fragile light. "I love capturing emotions, especially those of birds. I do reconnaissance, set up a blind, and I can wait for hours," explains the young photographer. His dedication to his craft is evident in his patient approach and willingness to spend extensive time waiting for the perfect shot.
To preserve spontaneity in his work, he blends into the landscape, becoming one with his environment. "It's as if I'm not there," he describes, explaining his technique for capturing authentic wildlife behavior. His photographs, authentic and poetic, reveal an almost candid gentleness that reflects both his artistic eye and his personal journey through adversity.
Through this first exhibition, Axel is sharing his unique universe with the public and nurturing a dream that perhaps one day he might make a living from his passion. The exhibition represents not just a showcase of his photographic skills, but also a testament to his resilience and ability to find beauty and purpose after experiencing such significant challenges at a young age.
The "Éclosion" exhibition will take place on Saturday, December 6, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Bellissima Institute, located at 1 impasse de la Poste in Faugerolles. Those interested in contacting Axel can reach him at axelguerrier.wildlifegmail.com or by phone at 06.02.30.02.25. His work can also be viewed on Instagram and Facebook under the handle ag.photowild.
