Flàneries

Newsletter - #27

"Life isn't tidy. Life is life, thankfully"

I’m back with a new update!

First and foremost, I hope this reaches you safely. You’ll notice a change in scenery—I’ve moved the newsletter from Mailchimp to Kit. While I wasn't necessarily unhappy with my previous platform, their new pricing scheme made it impossible to maintain a free newsletter for a small, dedicated community like ours. I’ll be testing Kit out for a while to see if it’s the right long-term fit for us.

Winter in Paris & The Magic of Film

The last few weeks have been centered around Paris, with a few escapes to Italy and Nice. February isn't always the most vibrant month in the city, but we’ve caught enough sunny days to cut through the winter chill. It’s also the season when many museums launch their new exhibitions; balancing quiet museum evenings with short weekend trips has made for an intense but deeply fulfilling month.

On the creative side, I’ve continued my exploration of the Polaroid system. Experimenting with color film on milder days has been a masterclass in patience. One of the first lessons I learned? Polaroids do not like low temperatures (it’s the chemistry!).

There is something truly magical about watching a picture develop right in front of you. It is a much more intentional experience; when you only have eight frames in a pack, you really think twice before firing the shutter.

From the Stage to the Page

The highlight of my month from a photography standpoint was a shoot at the theatre.

Thierry de Pina brought a new one-man show to Montparnasse—an area legendary for its artistic history. He invited me to capture the performance, and I was once again blown away by his ability to communicate such intense, emotional stories.

I’ve collected the results of that evening into a new zine, which serves as a testimony to his incredible performance.

A Coastal Escape

Beyond the city, Sylvie and I spent a wonderful weekend between Nice and the Italian border in Liguria. We explored San Remo, Arma di Taggia, and Santo Stefano al Mare, including some remote mountain villages overlooking the sea.

I am always fascinated by the beauty of this region, where the mountains and the sea sit so closely together. It is "unpractical" in the best way—the lack of space is evident, and the villages can feel lost and deserted—but it creates a unique atmosphere. And when you realize you can enjoy a meal outside in the middle of February, you certainly don't regret escaping "beautiful Paris" for a moment.