Beyond the Frame 47/
Rediscovering a spark of childlike enthusiasm and honouring the life and work of photojournalist Camille Lepage.
The joy of childlike enthusiasm
Few things are as delightful as watching a child use a camera for the first time. There’s a moment of quiet fascination as they study the buttons and dials, then curiosity gives way to creativity. They lift the camera to their eye and discover how the world changes through the viewfinder. A hesitant press of the shutter button, then another, and soon they are engrossed; clicking, moving, reframing, experimenting.
The LCD screen becomes a source of delight, each image providing evidence of their creative endeavour. They receive instant gratification, without judgement or expectation.
Children will photograph anything and everything just to see how it looks in the frame: their friends, their lunch, a flower, their shoes, trees, hands, clouds…
In those fleeting moments when they first discover photography, the camera is transformed from a curious technical tool into a new way to see, to create, to connect.
If you’re a photographer and ever find yourself searching for inspiration, watch a child use a camera for ten minutes and be reminded that working with childlike enthusiasm, unconstrained by your own or others’ expectations, is liberating.
Photograph anything and everything with joyful spontaneity. Don’t worry if it’s “art”. Forget about the light. Stand on a chair, crawl under a table, make pictures of your friends, your lunch, a flower, your shoes, trees, hands, clouds…
Your inner child is waiting.
Camille Lepage
We are, sadly, approaching the 11th anniversary of the death of French photojournalist, Camille Lepage.
Camille was killed in 2014, whilst reporting on the civil war in the Central African Republic. She was 26 years old.
Camille Lepage in the Central African Republic
From late 2013, the UN warned that the Central African Republic was in danger of spiralling into genocide. In October 2013, just six months before her untimely death, Camille gave an interview to Petapixel from the Central African Republic, where she expressed frustration at the lack of media interest in events in the region.
“It’s so frustrating to be covering something so tragic, that no one wants to publish and that can’t see the public light apart from social media.”
I never met Camille, but from her interviews and photographs, it is clear she was driven by a strong sense of justice and pursued stories she felt were important.
“Also follow your heart, and don’t mind if people disagree with you. So many people tried to discourage me from following my dream, doing photography and above all going to South Sudan. I can’t blame them, it was a crazy bet. But now, they’re proud of me, respect what I do and understand why I do it. If I had listened to them, I honestly have no idea what I would be doing… but I certainly wouldn’t be as happy.” — Camille Lepage
Camille Lepage’s Website
Camille’s website, archived as it appeared in 2014, contains just four galleries. It is, like her life, a work in progress that was cut cruelly short.
I’ve shared some of her photos here to illustrate the intimacy of her work, but I encourage you to take a few minutes to explore Camille’s website galleries or the Camille Lepage Association’s Hommage page.
On Est Ensemble
Images from the civil war in the Central African Republic, where Camille Lepage was killed in 2014.
“One important thing is to keep an open heart towards others and what I might not understand. I’m not one to judge, and the best I can do is to learn from each other’s differences. Differences are what makes each of us unique and fascinating.” — Camille Lepage
Vanishing Youth
A story from South Sudan prompted by seeing young men in hospital as a result of being wounded in conflict.
Camille — The film
The 2019 film, Camille—directed by Boris Lojkine and starring Nina Meurisse—tells the story of Camille Lepage’s life and work.
The film is not widely available outside Europe but, if you have access, it can be found on the French Viva website, the Swiss Filmingo platform, and the French version of Amazon Prime. The film is also listed on the British Film Institute website, where it’s currently shown as “unavailable” but it might return in the future.
The Camille Lepage Association
The Camille Lepage Association, “On est ensemble” (We are together), was set up in September 2014.
“The association was set up by her family (her parents Maryvonne & Guy Lepage and brother Adrien) to commemorate Camille, her work and commitment, to provide assistance and protection for photojournalists working in conflict areas, to support communities that are victims of such conflicts, and, while doing so, to promote values that were so important to Camille.”
The Camille Lepage Award
The Camille Lepage Association, sponsored by the Société des Auteurs des Arts visuels de l’image Fixe, awards an annual grant of €8,000 to a photojournalist working on a long-term project.
Last year’s winner was Virginie Nguyen Hoang. This year’s award is now open for entries (see below).
Virginie Nguyen Hoang
Virginie, a Belgian photojournalist, was the recipient of the Camille Lepage award in 2024.
Virginie has published two photo essays from Ukraine, The Tears of Ukraine and Ukraine: Life under the fire of war
Virginie plans to return to Ukraine in order to continue documenting the lives of families living under the constant threat of war.
The Camille Lepage Award 2025
Entries for the 2025 award are now being invited from professional photojournalists of any age, nationality or gender.
The closing date is 5th May 2025. The winning entrant will be presented with their award at Visa pour l’image in Perpignan in September.
The contest rules and application form are now available online.
Support for independent journalists
As I wrote in Beyond the Frame 36/, the threats faced by independent and freelance journalists are increasing.
In 2014, the Committee to Protect Journalists reported that at least 60 journalists and 11 media workers were killed.
In 2024, more journalists were killed than in any other year, 137 in Gaza alone.
Camille’s story illustrates the importance of supporting independent journalists. Those who work in dangerous environments risk their lives in order to bring us evidence of what’s happening in the world. They are more motivated by a desire to share a story than by money and often work speculatively, without any guarantee of being paid for their efforts.
With access to expert training, risk assessments, and emergency resources, freelance journalists can be better prepared to work in dangerous environments.
Here are three organisations which support independent journalists and which are now, more than ever, worthy of our support.
Remembering Camille Lepage
“Fearless, passionate, independent.”
Almost exactly one year ago, in her home town of Angers in France, the Rue Camille Lepage was named in Camille’s honour.
The town also staged an exhibition of Camille’s work.
Camille’s parents, Maryvonne and Guy, continue to maintain Camille’s legacy with their work for the On est ensemble association. The annual award provides an opportunity for photojournalists to self-finance work on important projects.
It is a testament to Camille Lepage’s dedication that her all-too-brief career continues to inspire and encourage her fellow photojournalists.
Until next time, I hope you will also continue to be fearless, passionate and independent.
Go well.
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Beyond the Frame 46/
Part One of a ghostly photo essay and an invitation to take a Ten Minute Challenge.
Seeing kids use my camera in Erbil was quite inspirational. It would be great to do something like that for different communities. There's a very moving documentary on Amazon Prime called Finding Family by a Bosnian called Iggy Tomić. He was gifted a camera by a journo in Sarajevo, and went from there
Hey Gavin! :) I vaguely remember hearing about the tragedy on the news. So sad, so tragic, and powerful images. Though with the years, having become far more cynical than when I was younger, I never believe that no photos are worth that price. The girl seemed like a true adventurer who lived on the edge. Her work is inspiring others, she's the stuff of a legend, but yeh... just sad.