We caught up with Higher National Diploma graduate Milan Lautier to find out why he chose to study photography, how the course has benefited him, and his future career plans.
Milan Lautier is 24 years old and is based in Marseille. He is a fashion and sports independent photographer and assistant photographer.
He has recently worked for Kaporal, a French fashion brand, and he has been on assignment for ELLE Provence magazine and Vélo Tout Terrain magazine. In addition, Milan is Faustine Martin’s first assistant, and they have been working together on several campaigns; the last one was for Maje.
Look - Coat - Glasses - light dress. Photoshoot on the coast of Marseille for a new Vintage shop. Image courtesy: Milan Lautier.
“I knew this was what I wanted to do”
Milan did several alimentary jobs, such as cocktail bartender or seller, before enrolling at the Higher National Diploma in photography. He shared that, at that time, he was constantly asking himself, «What do I really wanna do in my life?»
“After processing my first roll from an old canon EF (full manual film camera) that my dad brought me from France, I had some much pleasure when I saw the pictures. I just knew this was what I wanted to do,” Milan explained.
The photography graduate told us that he started shooting street portraits and street fashion with his friends. “Then I started to learn photography by myself. Afterwards, people started to tell me, «Wow, your pictures look like magazine shots», I was super impressed to hear that from people.
Choosing the course
After signing up for a master project of shooting in Greenland for two weeks, he started to consider enrolling in a course because “I went shooting in with minimum skills.”
A few months later, Milan enrolled at the Academy of Photography. He shared that he chose the Academy due to the classes being scheduled at the weekends, the flexibility and price of the course, and the topics covered. “You have four years to complete all your assignments. Proper photographers with proper experience were going to teach me, and I would receive a proper certificate.”
With this course, he explained that he was looking to master the basics and the foundations of photography. “I wanted to get proper skills regarding all aspects of photography: lighting, settings, different types of photography, history, culture, business… I wanted to know everything, basically. I wasn’t looking to master a specific field, but my tutors brought me all the knowledge I needed to focus on what I love the most.”
Look (left) - White Shirt Red - velvet jean; Look (right) - Coat - Glasses. Photoshoot on the coast of Marseille for a new Vintage shop. Image courtesy: Milan Lautier.
"(They) pushed me to succeed"
"The course fitted perfectly into my day-to-day life. It’s really beneficial having the possibility of handing over assignments whenever you want when managing your own life. However, my own life took too much over my studies, and I lost quite some time before completing the whole course."
Milan shared that his biggest challenge during the course was finding enough time to work on the assignments. "When you’re in the streets with your friends and shoot whatever you want, it’s quite easy, but when you have to research what you’re going to shoot, explain why you’re going to shoot it, convince your tutor this is going to be good and then shoot what you had in mind, that is quite challenging. But it is great practice because you have to do this in the real industry for magazine editorials, for instance."
Having several tutors in the room with different experiences was, for him, the biggest benefit of the course. "They gave me so much advice, knowledge and many tips; they inspired me and pushed me to succeed."
Look (left) - Blue jeans - white top - full body; Look (right) - Grandma outfit. Photoshoot on the coast of Marseille for a new Vintage shop. Image courtesy: Milan Lautier.
Milan's photography career
"I have lived 100% from the photography industry since September 2020. I have been making a living from it since completing my course."
The photography graduate explained that he course structured his business management. "It helped me to master my photography knowledge and skills, to have actual foundations to be able to develop myself as a photographer and build a business from it. Also, having a certificate in photography helped me to catch other photographers' attention. I think it gave me credibility from an eye of a photographer or a client.
And in a year from now, I hope to be shooting as much as I am assisting and doing my first editorials for magazines."
Look (left) - Vintage shirt; Look (right) - Swimwear. Photoshoot on the coast of Marseille for a new Vintage shop. Image courtesy: Milan Lautier.
Favourite project
"The work I’ve done in Dubai, photographing the 2014 Miss Ukraine, was my favourite project. I was sent there to rebuild her portfolio in order to help her to get into a West European Agency. Three weeks in Dubai all-inclusive and paid for."
What advice would you give to someone considering a career in Photography?
"Be truly passionate, be patient, never give up, fail and learn from your failures, do not burn steps, learn as much as you can about light because light is the key, be yourself and never try to become someone else, as photography is all about you who are through your eye, and get out of your comfort zone because the real industry is quite scary.
Produce as much as you can (but quality) and try to be seen as much as you can."
Look - Coat - watch - light dress. Photoshoot on the coast of Marseille for a new Vintage shop. Image courtesy: Milan Lautier.
"I would definitely recommend the Academy and its courses, but keep in mind that school requires a lot of work and time. I thought it would be easy and quick; it’s actually not that easy, but it is accessible to anyone!"
See Milan's portfolio and follow his great work on his Instagram page.
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