At just 30 years old, photographer Faustine Poingt creates images so steeped in nostalgia and vintage aesthetics that viewers often assume she's decades older. "Oh, you're Faustine Poingt? We thought you were 50 years old," is a common reaction she receives when people first encounter her work. Currently exhibiting her photography at the Grossetti Coworking Space in Ajaccio through December, Poingt has carved out a distinctive niche as a film set photographer whose artistic vision transcends generational boundaries.
Poingt's approach to photography draws deeply from universal human experiences, transforming personal memories into relatable visual narratives. "I draw from my own memories, which I believe are universal because we've all experienced loss, heartbreak, strong friendships, and so on," she explains. "I try to universalize what speaks to me through colors that I love from old films and also heavily through music. I work a lot with music and films – all the arts mixed together really appeal to me, and that's what creates this result. It's true that I've always had this nostalgic side."
Her artistic journey began unexpectedly at age 13 when she felt like an outsider in her family of artists, which included musicians and visual artists. Her mother, recognizing her daughter's restlessness and isolation, made a spontaneous decision that would change everything. "She was there, wandering around, bored. She was a bit alone, and I told her: 'Here, take my camera and go take some photos,'" her mother recalls. "She photographed all of her little sister's friends and came back two and a half hours later. When we put in the memory card, we were really shocked because she had taken incredible photos. We all just looked at each other... As a mother, I thought it was normal that I found it great, but I could see the others making strange faces. And that's when we said to ourselves, I think we've got something here."
The impact was immediate and profound for young Faustine. "It was physical – something had happened," she confirms, describing the moment she discovered her calling. This raw talent caught the attention of Oscar Seykens, a renowned photographer who became her most important mentor and teacher, helping her refine her unique artistic vision.
Poingt's aesthetic sensibilities were shaped by cultural influences that predated her generation, creating her signature timeless quality. "I grew up with cinema and music that weren't specific to my generation, and I found that fantastic," she notes. "I've always loved grain. For example, 'That Man from Rio' is one of my favorite films, with its 1970s colors." Her appreciation for vintage cinematography and classic film techniques heavily influences her contemporary work on movie sets.
Interestingly, Poingt attributes part of her unique visual perspective to a physical condition – mydriasis, which causes one of her pupils to remain permanently dilated. "I think there might be a connection with this 'seeing differently' aspect because I wasn't supposed to have this eye, but ultimately it's there. And maybe it sees differently," she reflects. This condition gives her a dark eye reminiscent of David Bowie, a comparison that seems fitting given her artistic sensibilities.
As a professional film set photographer, Poingt has successfully imposed her distinctive style, characterized by her signature colors and grain, onto commercial projects. Her work consistently reflects the vintage cinema and music that influenced her development, creating a bridge between classic aesthetics and contemporary filmmaking.
Ultimately, Poingt's photography reveals more about her personal life and philosophy than traditional cinema documentation. Her work is encapsulated by a phrase she frequently repeats: "What I'm living, I already miss." This sentiment of preemptive nostalgia permeates her images, creating photographs that capture not just moments, but the bittersweet awareness of their fleeting nature. Her exhibition in Ajaccio continues to draw visitors who are struck by the emotional depth and timeless quality that defines her artistic vision.
