Having long held a graphic designer position at the company, his role has since evolved and he now has the full-time role of photographer, with the trust of his colleagues and employer behind him. We asked him about his passion for the visual arts (and cooking!), his path, and his advice for capturing the best possible shots.
1. What initially drew you to the world of photography?
“Ever since I can remember, I’ve always loved looking at beautiful images. When I was a child, my parents had a couple they were friends with, one of whom was a photojournalist. He always had his camera hanging around his neck, ready to take a picture at any time. I was fascinated by him. That was the trigger and it sparked my desire to explore this medium and take photography classes.”
2. How did you combine your passions for photography and cooking?
“I’m someone who enjoys cooking. It’s in my family’s DNA. Cooking has always been all around me, both at my mother’s and my grandmother’s. It was a dream for me to combine my two passions. I held an internship with a food photographer during my studies and something clicked then. Obviously, RICARDO Media was on my radar. My dream came true when I replaced a graphic designer who was going on maternity leave. I’ve been with the company for eight years now, four of them as a photographer.”
- • Professional diploma in Infographic Design at the Centre de formation professionnelle Compétences Outaouais
- • Photography courses at La Cité college in Ottawa
- • Graphic Design studies at Université du Québec à Montréal
- • Contract in the communications department at the House of Commons in Ottawa
- • Graphic designer for various food magazines and culinary publications
- • Graphic designer and photographer at RICARDO Media
3. How did you transition from graphic designer to photographer at the company?
“It happened pretty naturally. We needed photos for the online store. I expressed my interest, and given that I had training in the field (and a camera!), our then art director put me up to the challenge. That first time went very well. RICARDO Media’s photography needs soon increased and, gradually, I was entrusted with larger projects. Meanwhile, we set up an in-office studio, which allowed me to continue to prove myself. Everyone liked the idea of having an in-house professional photographer.”
4. How would you describe the work environment at RICARDO?
“It feels like we have a giant sandbox to play in, a lot of freedom. The magazine has always been pretty current and that’s very stimulating. It’s a friendly environment in which I feel good. From day one, I could count on the kindness of my colleagues, who always provided constructive criticism and positive feedback. Teamwork and mutual respect are part of my day-to-day life.”
“My journey as a photographer was rather atypical. For example, I have never been a photographer’s assistant, which is often the entry point into the industry. I’m very grateful for the opportunity I’ve been given and the space Brigitte and Ricardo have provided. They’ve always put their trust in me.”
5. What are a few of your sources of inspiration?
“I’ve always appreciated Martha Stewart for her magazines, the atmospheres she showcases, and her realistic universe. She was one of the first to put forward a lifestyle. She sought out fashion photographers who had a different vision of photography. That’s why I adore her journalistic style, which veers to the editorial side. I also really love photographer Wout Hendrickx. Closer to home, I admire the talents of Maude Chauvin and Dominique Lafond.”
6. What are the most satisfying parts of your job?
“Whenever my colleagues are impressed by the large-scale projects we manage to realize in our little studio, it gives me wings. And when we collaborate with advertisers to create content, client satisfaction is like candy! My job, alongside the stylists, art director and graphic designer, is to create staging. We tell a story through our photos. We want it to be beautiful, inspiring and to provoke dreams. When we accomplish all this and people tell us it makes them want to cook, it’s very rewarding.”
7. Which projects are you the most proud of?
“Among the many, I’m particularly proud of a feature we did on citrus fruit. More recently, in the latest issue of our French-language magazine, is our feature on mezzes. I’m very happy with it; I view it as a work of art. And it’s not something that gets done alone. Everyone brings their expertise and adds their own touch. I work with very passionate people and it’s truly motivating.”
8. What is the best way to evolve at your job within the company?
“I try to stay up to date on what’s being done elsewhere in the industry and attempt new things. Every time I take a picture, I try to improve it. I adjust the lighting, the colour, and sharpen my eye with practice. In my work, I feel I can innovate and achieve my goals in countless ways. It’s important to be critical of one’s own work, to allow yourself the space and permission to do so. That’s the best way to move forward.”
9. What advice would you give to someone who wants to go into food photography?
“First, get the proper training to understand the basics of photography. These are crucial. It’s important to understand how light works because the possibilities are endless. It’s nothing short of science. Second, observe light in your daily life, as well as backgrounds and textures, by looking at photos. Finally, if you’re drawn towards the food path, you clearly need to be interested in it. You even need to love eating!”
Jean-Michel is not only passionate about his subject (cooking!), but he also stands out for his generosity towards his colleagues. He often brings homemade bread and English muffins to the office.
By putting people first at the heart of its corporate culture, RICARDO Media allows its employees to thrive at their jobs and advance within its ranks. For available job opportunities with our company, click here.