Réhahn

 

Behind each click is a story.

I love learning about people’s stories and discovering their culture. My camera is just an excuse to talk to them.

In 2018, Wanderlust Travel Magazine called him someone who “captures the souls of his models.” Réhahn is more than just a man behind a camera. Behind every click is a story, one he tells so fluidly. From the timid yet brilliant blue eyes of a child to a woman sewing stitch by stitch to a lone man walking amid the contrast of the bright colours of the surrounding street, they go beyond simple images to Réhahn. They are the culmination of an experience. These compelling stories meld with his passion and inquisitiveness for the culture and diversity of his subjects are the driving force behind what he does.

This unique combination of artful mastery in photography along with documentary-style presentation teach while commanding attention. His portraits of Vietnam, Cuba, and India are particularly well-known for these exact reasons. They take the viewer along on a visual voyage, capturing the true glimpse of authenticity in interactions with people that go beyond their smiles. His gift with the lens allows Réhahn to capture the present while catching a glimpse of heritage and traditions of the past. The wisdom they hold along with this peek into their daily lives is a true discovery that his talent behind the lens captures with perfection.

Born in Bayeux in Normandy, France, Réhahn is an avid traveller who visited over 35 countries before making Hoi An, Vietnam his home in 2011. Since 2104, his first book, Vietnam, Mosaic of Contrasts, has been a bestseller. He followed this success with four subsequent books: Vietnam, Mosaic of Contrasts, Volume II in 2015; The Collection, Réhahn - 10 Years of Photography in 2017; 100 Iconic Portraits in 2019; and his most recent works, Vietnam Mosaic of Contrasts, Volume III in 2020.       

Réhahn’s portrait of Madam Xong was placed in the permanent collection at the Hanoi Women's museum in 2016 to honour International Women’s Day. The resulting media coverage amassed more than 80 articles and 10 television interviews. A little over two years later, he has been featured in an incredible number of articles, interviews, and television appearances.

In 2018, he was honoured during an official ceremony that commemorated the 45 years of beautiful friendship between France and Vietnam. A memorable career moment, it involved Vietnam's Secretary of the Party, Nguyen Phu Trong, who has since become the President of Vietnam, gifting Réhahn’s portrait "Madam Xong" to French President Emmanuel Macron.                           

Discover his four COULEURS BY RÉHAHN galleries where his fine art photography collections are featured. Two of them are in the UNESCO World Heritage site of an ancient town called Hoi, and two are in Saigon (one on the historic Dong Khoi street and the second in the InterContinental Saigon Hotel).

Additionally, in 2017, Réhahn opened the PRECIOUS HERITAGE museum where his portraits depict the diversity of Vietnam’s ethnic groups through traditional costuming, music, artifacts, and stories. The museum is free to the public and an exquisite treasure of beauty to those who visit.

COVID-19 has waged a heavy toll on us all, which means travelling to support the woman we work with is on pause. Tourism has slowed almost to a standstill, and Vietnam’s borders remain closed to foreigners and those who would otherwise be supporting the tribal economies. We hope to do our best to continue to support them, together we can do so much more.

Q1. Tell us a little about yourself: What is your background and what inspires you to create. 

I grew up in the Normandy region of France but was always drawn to explore other places. The more I travelled the more I realized that what was inspiring to me, beyond the landscapes and famous locations, was to simply sit down and talk to people. This is still what pushes me out of my door every morning. I love learning about people’s stories and discovering their culture. My camera is just an excuse to talk to them.

Q2. What kind of traveller are you?

I often push myself with locations or projects that might be considered difficult to access. But that is simply because I want to see things from a different perspective. Once I arrive at my destination, I take my time, engage with locals, and make sure that I am respectful to both people and the environment.

Q3. Have you ever travelled solo? What tips would you give to a first-time solo traveller? 

I travel solo most of the time. It depends on the location, but for more difficult destinations, I would suggest finding a local guide. Ideally, this person can do some light translation and take you to interesting spots away from the tourist zones. As a solo traveller, the most important thing is to do your research in advance. Know how much things cost, where to go or not to go, and memorize a few words in the local language such as hello and thank you.

Q4. Where have you travelled to this past year? / Which travel destination has left you with the most memorable experience?

I usually go to Cuba at least once a year, but unfortunately, because of the current worldwide health crisis, I’ve not been able to travel outside of Vietnam. That said, I love where I live and I’ve been able to focus on my work photographing the artisans who live along the Mekong Delta. One of the most memorable travel experiences I’ve ever had was meeting the Hmong and Dao artisans who live near Sa Pa for the first time, more than 10 years ago now. This trip is what drove me to launch my biggest project to date - The Precious Heritage Project and Cultural Museum. I remain ever inspired by the diverse cultures of Vietnam’s 54 ethnic groups

Q5. The emphasis on working with women sends such a positive message. Who are the female figures whom you admire? 

There are so many that it is difficult to choose but there is one special woman who truly changed my life - Madame Xong. Madame Xong is an octogenarian who lives in Hoi An and works as a tourist boat captain. My photograph of her launched my career. She has become like a surrogate grandmother and is a continual source of inspiration and affection. Despite the adversity of her life, she remains generous, open-minded, and motivated.

Q6. How is slow travel different from the usual way of travelling?

Regular travel can be like reading the synopsis of a great book rather than reading the book itself. Think of it this way - would you rather drop into a country and see all of the tourist sites as quickly as possible, surrounded by groups of other tourists? Or would you prefer to take more time to see less but to get off the beaten track and gain a deeper comprehension of the culture? Slow travel means respecting the location that you’re in. A good place to start your journey is to seek out ways to buy local products directly from local artisans rather than at a tourist shop.

Q7. As an entrepreneur, how do you focus on wellness in your life?

I’m lucky because I love what I do. I can work day and night when I’m passionate about something but also make sure that I have some time to relax with a great old book and a glass of wine. 

Q8. Who do you think should come on this trip? And what would one hope to take away from this tour with TextileSeekers?

Someone who genuinely wants to learn. The textile handiwork that you’ll witness in Sapa is the result of hundreds of years of knowledge. It is not ready-made fashion. It is important to be respectful of the artisans and to leave with the feeling that you were able to authentically experience the culture of this region.

Q9. Do you have one or two all-time favourite fashion pieces? Do you have a favourite designer/artist? 

I typically dress relatively casually in jeans and t-shirts. The designers that I admire the most are those that come from the 54 ethnic groups in Vietnam. I’m passionate about textiles and traditional tribal garments, but I don’t collect them to wear myself. I seek out pieces for the Precious Heritage Museum in order to preserve important craftsmanship.

Q10. What are you reading now?

An 800-page Biography of Moliere. I collect ancient books and Moliere is one of my favorite authors of all time.

The give back project Réhahn has established for his work and the connections he has with the tribes is at the forefront of conscious photography.

Réhahn’s images of Sa Pa Tribes can also be seen on my new website, highlighting the root source of sustainability, thank you for your gracious support.