French photographer Philippe Auliac, who served as one of David Bowie's official photographers for nearly 40 years, is sharing intimate insights about the legendary glam rock icon through a current exhibition in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence. Auliac describes Bowie as possessing "extreme simplicity and kindness," offering a personal glimpse into the character of one of music's most enigmatic figures. The exhibition features some of Auliac's most striking photographs of the artist, providing visitors with a rare visual journey through decades of their professional relationship.
Auliac's path to becoming what he calls the "rock paparazzi" was far from conventional. Originally destined to become a train conductor, his life took a dramatic turn when he first heard David Bowie on the radio on December 24, 1972. This moment sparked an unwavering admiration that would define his career trajectory. The pivotal moment came when he saw a photograph of the icon and noticed the photographer's name credited beside it. "I told myself: I don't want to be just a fan, I want to be David Bowie's photographer," Auliac recalls of that life-changing realization.
His dream became reality four years later, during which time he dedicated himself to learning photography while pursuing his original career path. During this period, he managed to capture a notable photograph of Paul McCartney, which helped establish his credentials in the music photography world. The timing of his breakthrough was nothing short of serendipitous – just as he obtained his train conductor's diploma, a record company contacted him to follow Bowie on his English tour.
The irony of fate, or perhaps destiny's smile, was evident in the circumstances surrounding their first professional encounter. This opportunity came during the era of Bowie's "Station to Station" album, creating a perfect symmetry between Auliac's abandoned railway career and his new role documenting the rock star. Their first photograph together was taken on May 2, 1976, on the platform of Victoria Station in London – a location that beautifully bridged Auliac's two worlds and marked the beginning of a nearly four-decade professional relationship that would capture some of the most iconic images of one of music's greatest innovators.
