Artist Feature: Maiwenn Raoult
Maiwenn Raoult is a story-teller, youth-advocate and artist. Born in Western NY, raised in Los Angeles and with roots in New Orleans—she aims to empower people, especially women, through her photography. Maiwenn’s work moves between fashion and documentary and is inspired by the creativity, honesty and self-exploration that exists within the process of making portraits. When she is not taking photos, you can find her teaching photography and encouraging youth to explore their identity and voices. Maiwenn’s photos have appeared widely and her clients include Spotify, Footlocker Women, Peerspace, Nike, and The New York Times.
Photography by Maiwenn Raoult
Q: Can you share something you've learned from creating this body of work that would resonate with our community?
MR: Most of my portraits stem from my desire to have honest connections with people -- to explore and communicate individuals' relationships to themselves while intentionally reflecting on the power of narratives and story-telling. I think my favorite part of taking portraits is supporting others by capturing beauty that they already feel or perhaps are wanting to emanate. Ultimately, my intentions are to capture women's power and resilience, while building genuine relationships that tie together themes of inclusivity and self-exploration.
Q: Tell us about your work process! Do you plan your images ahead or are you more improvisational?
MR: I’d say I'm always thinking about making portraits — I’m inspired by textures, colors, shapes, and objects. I honestly go to sleep playing with ideas of portraits I’d like to make. I’m naturally a planner-- I often put a lot of thought and intention beforehand of how I envision the images turning out. I do find that specifically with fashion shoots, people don’t often recognize how much labor and money goes into creating them. As much as I love those types of shoots, the documentary photographer in me enjoys capturing moments in the street, taking my camera with me and taking photos of whatever/whoever I find. There is a lot of beauty in the spontaneity.
Photography by Maiwenn Raoult
Q: What does being a feminist mean to you?
MR: Knowing that you deserve to, and should take up space. Allowing your voice to be loud and your body strong (in whatever way that means to you). Believing that your words and opinion are valid and should be represented. Acknowledging your privilege to support those around you when it is needed. Consciously putting in effort to not judge others or yourself. Being unapologetically yourself.
Q: Do you have any upcoming events, exhibitions, or news you'd like to share?
MR: My next project is an outdoor gallery that was co-created with a few women at The People’s Concern in Santa Monica, an organization that supports individuals in finding housing while providing mental/medical health care among many other things. The gallery will be a photo exposition of their photographs, their writing and portraits that I took of them and is based around a 5-week session we had where they spoke about their experiences, life views and who they are as individuals while using images to explore that. It’ll be hanging up near the Santa Monica Airport in September!
Photography by Maiwenn Raoult
Follow @maiwennraoult and view more at maiwennraoult.com
