Fifteen young photography students from Lafayette High School experienced their first professional exhibition opening Tuesday at the Assemblia headquarters in Clermont-Ferrand, France. Among the participating photographers were Tessa, Océane, Hugo, and Calista, who showcased their work under the guidance of their educational team from the school's image department, including instructors Aurélie Sannazzaro, Erika Paoletti, Anne-Eléonore Gagnon, and Patrick André.
The photography project was developed in collaboration with Les Sténopédies, focusing on humanist photography, a major movement in the history of photography. Through this exhibition, the young artists reveal their individual artistic personalities and unique perspectives on contemporary life. Each of the fifteen photographs represents a distinct viewpoint on the modern world, demonstrating the students' developing artistic vision.
Assemblia's involvement in hosting the exhibition aligns with its mission to bridge the gap between the business world and educational training. The urban development company opened the doors of its headquarters throughout October to support this important milestone in the students' educational journey. This collaboration provides the young photographers with concrete experience in the professional art world.
The students drew inspiration from various locations and experiences for their work. Océane walked the streets of Thiers to capture her photograph, which features darkness in the foreground and light in the distance. "I was stuck, I had lost my confidence," she explained. "My father, who accompanied me, helped me. Now that the photo is on display, I'm proud of myself and my work." Her image reflects her emotional state during a challenging period in her artistic development.
Calista traveled to Vichy with the geometric lines of the city's sidewalks in mind. Her photograph captures the perpetual motion of urban life, featuring a blonde woman walking with her long hair in movement, alongside glimpses of other hurried pedestrians. "As always, passersby are in a hurry. A blonde lady walks and her long hair is in movement. You can see an arm to her right, another pedestrian rushing by, we don't know where. That's everything I wanted to show!" she said, describing her vision of contemporary urban life.
Tessa created a compelling contrast between stillness and motion in her photograph, featuring two classmates holding hands while a passerby moves in the background and a tram passes by. "Time stops when you're in love. The world rushes by and we remain frozen," she explained. Tessa particularly appreciated participating in mounting this collective exhibition, noting, "It's a foot in the working world, it's concrete!"
Hugo captured his photograph spontaneously one morning while heading to class at La Pardieu train station. He later refined the image using Photoshop to reframe it and optimize the colors, demonstrating the technical skills the students have acquired alongside their artistic vision. His approach shows how the students combine spontaneous observation with technical post-processing skills.
The exhibition is open to the public through October 31st at the Assemblia hall, located at 14 rue Buffon in Clermont-Ferrand. Visitors can view the photographs Monday through Friday from 8:15 AM to 12:15 PM and from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM, with the exception of Thursday afternoons when the venue is closed. This accessibility allows the broader community to witness the emerging talent of these young photographers and their fresh perspectives on contemporary life.
