Hey
Philippe Girard
I’m a Zurich-based photographer working across portrait, documentary photography and personal work. Photography has been part of my life since childhood, initially driven by a fascination for capturing moments and places that caught my attention. Over the years, travelling and meeting people from different backgrounds have become an important part of my practice, shaping the way I observe and understand the world around me.
Today, my work moves between commissioned photography and a more personal practice. I photograph people, places and moments that spark my curiosity, often drawn to quiet atmospheres, subtle gestures and the emotions that linger after an experience has passed.
The Way I See
I’ve always been curious about people, places and the small details that often go unnoticed.
When I photograph, I look for a gesture, a look, a certain light, something that feels real. I’m less interested in creating a perfect image than in finding something honest within the moment.
With people, I try to go beyond the version of themselves they are used to showing. I want to create enough space for the mask to fall away, and photograph what I see underneath.
I believe authenticity is rarely created. More often, it is quietly revealed.
Photography allows me to pay attention. To look closely, to discover, to be surprised, and to leave a trace of the world as I experienced it.
Zurich, Switzerland
Luang Prabang, Laos
My Journey
My path as a photographer has never been entirely linear.
Commercial commissions taught me discipline, precision and the importance of human connection. Travelling taught me to slow down, observe and embrace uncertainty.
A road trip across the United States in 2015 was an important turning point. I learned to travel without planning every step, to live day by day and to let the road guide me. Years later, travelling through Latin America and Southeast Asia brought back that same sense of freedom and curiosity.
Becoming a freelance photographer gave me something equally valuable: time. Time to experiment, make mistakes, follow ideas and keep learning.
Over the years, I’ve also learned to trust that everyone sees the world differently. My role is to keep developing my own way of seeing, while remaining curious about the perspectives of others.
My practice is still evolving. It never really stops.
How I Work
Every project begins with observation.
When I arrive somewhere new, I take a little time to look around, study the light, understand the space and see what is happening before I start photographing.
Then I let the work unfold.
For portraits, I like to build the session together. We can start with a few ideas, but I don’t believe everything needs to be decided in advance. I guide when needed, but I also leave room for conversation, improvisation and unexpected moments.
The same applies to documentary work. I observe first, then photograph. Once I start shooting, I begin to understand the rhythm of a place, the people in it and the story taking shape.
I like having a plan, and I like leaving room for it to change.
Have a project?
Whether you have a story to tell, a person to photograph, a place to
document or an idea you’d like to explore, I’d love to hear about it.