MICHEL HADDI
THE ART OF PRESENCE: PORTRAITS OF LEGENDS

QCEG: You grew up between cultures and faced many challenges in your childhood. How did these experiences shape the way you see people and the world?
MICHEL HADDI : I was born in the 1950s in Paris, during the Algerian war. My mother is Berber from Algeria, and at that time the city was full of riots and tension. As a little boy, I witnessed things no child should ever see. I was moved between different families and even spent years in an orphanage. But those experiences gave me strength — they taught me how to survive, how to see the world without illusion, and how to recognise beauty even in brutality.

QCEG: Fashion magazines first sparked your imagination — can you describe the moment you realised photography could be your life’s work?
MICHEL HADDI : When I was about eighteen, I worked nights as a hotel porter and days as a waiter in a Paris restaurant. I met so many famous people — from Dalí to Grace Jones. At the time, I was studying electronic mathematics, which I didn’t enjoy. One day, walking around Montparnasse, I saw a French Vogue cover by Helmut Newton. I remember thinking, I could do something like that. I photographed a friend, and when someone compared my picture to Newton’s, I just laughed. I suppose I had this fearlessness — who cares, just do it. That was the moment I knew.

QCEG: You say you photograph souls, not just faces. How do you know when someone’s soul is revealed in front of your lens?
MICHEL HADDI : Everyone has a soul. When I work with someone, I look past the clothes, the posture, the surface. I wait for that moment when they let their guard fall and reveal who they truly are. That’s when I see it — the spark that makes them unique. If I were photographing you now, I’d search for that same light, that hidden piece of your soul.

QCEG: Is there a moment or story you’ve captured that surprised even you — something that changed the way you think about photography?
MICHEL HADDI : I’m always surprised. Every session feels like the first time. Jacques-Henri Lartigue once said that amateur photographers are often better because they are innocent — and he was right. You must keep that sense of wonder. The day you stop being surprised is the day you should stop photographing.

QCEG: How do you balance glamour, fashion, and truth in your images?
MICHEL HADDI : It’s like cooking — you blend what feels right. A touch of technique, a bit of instinct, and sometimes, the perfect mistake. I believe every great picture has one imperfection — that’s what makes it real. Look at Linda Evangelista — her face is not symmetrical, and that’s why she’s unforgettable. Beauty lives in imperfection.

QCEG: You’ve photographed legends like Bowie, Tupac, and Kate Moss. Is there a portrait that feels as though it captured not only the subject, but also a piece of yourself?
MICHEL HADDI : When I photographed Tupac, I felt something tragic. There was pain in his eyes, and I sensed something dark approaching. That moment stayed with me — it reminded me that photography isn’t just about seeing; it’s about feeling.

QCEG: Can you share a behind-the-scenes story that left a lasting impression on you?
MICHEL HADDI : Working with someone you love — that’s the most dangerous thing. When emotions take over, you stop being the photographer; you become vulnerable. It’s beautiful but complicated, because love changes the gaze. It makes you see differently.

QCEG: You’ve expressed interest in working in China. How do you see your photography engaging with a new culture while staying true to your vision?
MICHEL HADDI : For me, there’s no real difference between Arabic and Chinese cultures. Both are ancient, sophisticated, and proud. I’m a man of the world. You must stay curious, embrace what’s different — that’s how you grow.

QCEG: If you could capture one essence of China through your lens, what would it be?
MICHEL HADDI : I would express it through cinema — a fusion of kung fu and love stories. That blend of strength and tenderness feels very Chinese to me.

QCEG: How does it feel to be recognised as one of the leading photographers in the world?
MICHEL HADDI : Of course, I appreciate compliments — I’d be lying if I said otherwise. But I never take them for granted. I live in the present. Whatever I did yesterday is done; tomorrow doesn’t exist yet. My wife and I work seven days a week to create something new. I love competition. I don’t think I’ve achieved everything I want — and that keeps me hungry.

QCEG: Looking back on your career, which photograph or series feels closest to telling your own story?
MICHEL HADDI : My years in Los Angeles, especially in Venice Beach, were transformative. I embraced another culture, met extraordinary people, and grew as an artist. That gave me confidence — the “oomph” I needed. I always tell people: just do it. Don’t wait for permission to live your dream.

QCEG: How do you hope your work will be remembered — by the people you photograph, or by the world of photography?
MICHEL HADDI : I once asked Helmut Newton when he realised he was famous. He said it was when his concierge called him Mr Newton and told him she liked his photograph. That’s the real success — when ordinary people connect with your work. When they feel something.

QCEG: If your younger self could see the artist you’ve become today, what would you want him to know?
MICHEL HADDI : I’d tell him, “Stay quiet and stay true.” Follow your instincts. Don’t try to please everyone. I’m proud of being French and Berber, of carrying two cultures within me. Maybe I should have learned Arabic and Chinese earlier — perhaps then I would have understood myself even more deeply.

QCEG: Looking ahead, what projects or stories do you dream of creating next, and how do you hope they will redefine the way the world sees your work?
MICHEL HADDI : I’m working a lot with AI now. Some people think it’s shaitan, the devil — but to me, it’s just another tool, like Photoshop. It helps you go beyond limits. I don’t plan too far ahead. In ten days, I’ll be in Marrakesh working with friends, then off to New York. I’m like a leaf floating down a river — I let life carry me. The story always finds me. And there’s always a new one waiting to be told.

“Michel Haddi’s art is not defined by light or fame, but by presence — the quiet power of a soul seen and understood. His portraits linger like echoes of truth, reminding us that beauty is not in perfection but in emotion. Through his lens, time slows, stories breathe, and humanity finds its reflection. In every photograph, Michel Haddi reminds the world that to see is never enough — one must also feel.”