Thierry Lagnel
1. Can you introduce yourself and talk about how you got into photography?
Hi, my name is Thierry Lagnel. I am a 31-year-old amateur and autistic photographer from Switzerland. I started photography as a hobby in 2015, but it was mainly tourist photography.
2. Where did you study photography?
I didn't study photography, I'm an amateur and I learned it myself. But I have photography "in my blood" because my grandfather and great-grandfather were professional photographers in my hometown in Switzerland.
3. Do you remember your first shot? What was it?
My hobby became a passion in 2018 and, in the summer, I wanted to start with wildlife photography and my first shot was a wild beaver. Very good to start with, but the quality was poor because I had a very basic and small camera.
4. What do you hope to achieve?
Well, my goal was to win gold awards one day and it's done. So now I will try to be a little bit famous one day if it's possible.
5. What compliment inspired/touched you the most?
A friend told me that my photos were incredible and that he was sure that I would one day become famous if I continued in this way.
6. What inspires your unique storytelling?
As an autistic person, I see the world differently than normal people and this can be seen in my photography style.
7. Congratulations! As the winner of the New York Photography Awards, what does it mean for you and your team to receive this distinction?
It's an honor to win such a great international competition. It gives me the motivation to continue my passion.
8. Can you explain a bit about the winning work you entered into the 2023 New York Photography Awards, and why you chose to enter this project?
My photo "The shapes of water" shows an abstract representation of a Swiss river. I was outside doing wildlife photography and I stopped by this river to take a shot because I found the water forms quite interesting. At first, I didn't realize that I had taken very good pictures. I showed it to my mom, who thought it was awesome and beautiful. Then I showed my photo to some friends and they also found it incredible. So I decided to enter a contest with this photo. It's one of the best I ever taken.
9. How has winning an award developed your career?
It doesn't change my career now because I'm just an amateur photographer. But in the future, it may help me earn some money with my passion.
10. What was the best piece of advice you were given starting out, by a mentor or your role model?
A friend, who used to work as a personal trainer, told me to continue my passion and practice to automatically gain experience and win a competition one day.
11. What advice would you give someone who would like to become a photographer today?
It's OK to start with a very simple and cheap camera. The important thing is to practice and find your photography style.
12. How do you stay in that space of being receptive to new information and knowledge?
I often try to try new things with my camera and sometimes try to get out of my comfort zone.
13. Anything else you would like to add to the interview?
I want to dedicate my victory to my grandfather who was a professional photographer. He would certainly be very proud to know that his grandson is a gold winner at the New New York Photography Awards.
