Can you describe three life moments that made you who you are today?

The first was when I left France in 2016 after finishing my studies to move to Montréal. I didn’t know anyone, and that’s when I started photography, at first just to explore the city. I’ve never stopped since, it’s been almost 10 years now.

The second was a personal moment that made me realize how fast everything can go, and that time doesn’t come back. It pushed me to be more instinctive, to care less about what others think, and to make decisions without waiting to avoid regrets.

The third was in 2024, when I decided to quit my job as a graphic designer to focus 100% on photography. It opened me up to a lot of things, different cultures, and I’ve grown much faster creatively.

Who or what is inspiring you to make work these days?

What inspires me is the strangers I come across in the street. People who dare, who aren’t afraid of how others see them. I really admire that kind of freedom, and it makes me want to create around it.

How would you describe your aesthetic to someone who has never seen your work?

I work a lot with color, my images are very vibrant. I always shoot with flash to make my subjects stand out even more. Since I come from a graphic design background, I care a lot about composition. I like my images to be clear and direct. I don’t like when there are too many details that distract from the image, so I often get close to my subjects so all the attention is on them.

What is your eye drawn to?

Unexpected scenes, small funny details from everyday life, extravagant people, colour. I’m very curious. I like observing people, how they move, their routines, their expressions. I spend a lot of time just watching what’s happening around me while walking.

What went into capturing your winning image?

I took this photo at a vintage car gathering in Montréal. I like going to these kinds of places for the aesthetic. When I saw this man, his style immediately stood out to me, the beret, the leather gloves, the shoes, the beige newspaper. I noticed that every time he turned a page, the wind would lift the paper. I waited a few minutes for it to happen again to capture the right moment.

Where do you feel you are at in your creative journey?

I think I’ve found my style, but the way I tell stories is evolving. I’m trying more and more to anonymize the people I photograph. I want to explore that more, to express emotion or personality without necessarily showing the face.

Complete this sentence: For me, photography is…

my way of expressing a more extravagant side of myself that people don’t necessarily see at first.

What’s one piece of good advice someone gave you, and who said it?

“Follow your instinct.” That’s something my mom told me, and I apply it everywhere, both in street photography and in bigger decisions, like quitting my job to pursue photography professionally.

What is the most interesting thing you’ve seen, heard or experienced recently?

I’m quite solitary, even more in my photography practice, and about a month ago I experienced something really meaningful by being able to connect directly with people around my work. Going from a very solitary approach in the streets to real exchanges, conversations, and shared feelings face to face really stayed with me.

What is one thing you want to accomplish this next year?

I’d like to photograph my home country (France) more, since I’ve never really explored it and it speaks to me a lot right now. Also, I would like to film more and creatively develop my video work. I’ve been filming everyday life since I started photography, even more in the past 2 years. It really complements my photography, and I want to push that on my Instagram account @jaivuuuuuu.

What is one thing you hope to accomplish in your lifetime?

Make my art accessible to as many people as possible.

Victor Cambet on Instagram