Sylvie Rebbot, a longtime collaborator and friend, has shared a deeply personal tribute to the late Bruno Barbey, the renowned photographer and former Vice-President of Magnum Photos. Her memoir offers an intimate glimpse into Barbey's character and their professional relationship that spanned decades, beginning with an unexpected phone call that would change her career trajectory.
The story begins in New York during March or April 1979, when Rebbot received a surprising 5 a.m. phone call. Expecting her mother's voice, she was instead greeted by Bruno Barbey himself, inviting her to take charge of the Paris office archives at Magnum Photos, where he served as Vice-President. At the time, Rebbot had been working for two years at a small New York agency called Woodfin Camp, run by Woody, who had previously directed Magnum's archives.
Rebbot's connection to Magnum had developed through photographer Marc Riboud, who had asked her to observe how Woody managed archives, as Magnum's own needed reorganization. This led to her hiring at Woodfin Camp. At thirty years old, having left a partner and seeking to establish roots after a life of following desires and climates between sea, mountains, and cities for books and music, New York had initially suited her perfectly, especially with friends and her brother already established there.
When the Paris opportunity arose, Rebbot didn't hesitate to accept. That year marked significant changes at Magnum under Barbey's leadership. Director Anna Obolenski had departed to open her own agency, and power was restructured among three positions: editorial director, financial director, and archives director - all filled by women to handle these crucial responsibilities.
Rebbot arrived in Paris without knowing Barbey personally, and after spending several weeks training at the New York office, she came without what René Burri had jokingly deemed essential equipment: "a helmet and a rifle." The two offices were known for their intense competition, and as someone arriving from New York, she was viewed with suspicion by Paris employees as a potential spy or disruptive force they might want to eliminate.
On her first day, instead of meeting Barbey directly, Rebbot found a thoughtful letter wishing her luck, accompanied by a photograph of her brother taken in Poland, kneeling before Pope John Paul II, positioned slightly ahead of other photographers to get as close as possible to his subject. Though a small gesture, it demonstrated Barbey's complete confidence in her and set the tone for their relationship.
Upon Barbey's return, shortly before the annual Magnum meeting that would accept two new photographers - Sebastião Salgado and Chris Steele-Perkins - they sat down to develop comprehensive plans for the archives. Before departing for Portugal, Barbey and his wife Caroline demonstrated remarkable generosity by giving Rebbot the keys to their apartment on Île Saint-Louis. She describes both as open, extremely generous, and very attractive people.
That summer, Rebbot hosted several parties in their beautiful loft under the roofs, naturally becoming Magnum gatherings. During this period, her life revolved entirely around Magnum from morning until late night, as she was free and completely immersed in the work. Gradually getting to know Barbey, she learned the importance of patience with him - while one could make proposals and ask questions, he required time to consider all angles before providing thoughtful, well-reasoned responses.
Having both grown up in Morocco, Barbey affectionately called her "my sister," a term reflecting their familiarity and friendship. Diving into his archives, particularly their shared Moroccan heritage, Rebbot discovered his precise framing and radiant colors, finding the light in his work. She recognized him as an accomplished photographer whose images immediately conveyed his respect for people, revealing his kindness and generosity through his lens.
Barbey's approach to photography was one of giving rather than taking - he didn't steal pictures but rather offered something in return. His sense of history was evident, consistently being in the right place at the right time, yet always taking time to thoroughly understand and capture the essence of each situation he documented.
Their direct collaboration in Paris was relatively brief. With Barbey's support, Rebbot moved to Magnum New York to work with their archives. However, two years later, following her brother's death, she decided to return to Paris, as New York had lost its appeal for her. Back in France, facing a difficult choice, she turned to Barbey for guidance.
True to his character, Barbey provided advice that gave her the freedom to choose her own path, offering the right words delivered in his characteristically calm and measured manner. Rebbot concludes her tribute with gratitude and a final farewell: "Thank you, I salute you Bruno, my brother from over there," encapsulating the deep professional respect and personal affection that defined their enduring relationship.
