Could you introduce yourself and share what currently shapes the rhythm of your life?

Hello, my name is Corentin Bertau, I'm a photographer.
I was born in Belgium and grew up on the French Riviera. I moved to southwest France about 12 years ago and currently live in Bayonne. I travel regularly, to Paris and elsewhere, for work, and when the jobs are finished, I return to the southwest; it's where I feel at home.

You’ve been part of the skate and surf scene through Desillusion for many years. How does it influence your current work?

I was part of Desillusion for almost 10 years, actually. I developed my working methods through that magazine and through DIY culture. When we started, we were very young and without any experience whatsoever; we had to learn everything on our own and be multi-skilled. For my part, I was in charge of art direction and also photography. The magazine allowed me to meet many talented people who later inspired me; it was truly a great training ground and an incredible adventure that I look back on today with a lot of nostalgia.

How would you describe the cultural influences that have nourished you — values, traditions, or artistic currents that shape the way you live?

Of course, I absorb a huge number of photos, and the photographers who inspire me change over time, but Ryan McGinley's work is the one that has impacted me the most. Pierrot, Purienne, Kate Bellm, Brydie Mack, and Jason Lee Parry also inspire me a lot today. Cinema is also very important; I'm very drawn to the aesthetics and directing of certain filmmakers like Terrence Malick, Denis Villeneuve, Wong Kar-Wai, and Alejandro González Iñárritu…

Do you have a daily routine that supports your creativity or sense of alignment?

Doing nothing, haha!
In the sense of not being productive, it's important to me. My creativity is rather inconsistent; I have ups and downs. When I'm overwhelmed with projects, my creative energy runs dry, and I inevitably hit a low point where my inspiration and motivation dwindle. There are periods when I don't touch a camera for months. Not being productive during these times allows me to take time for myself. I play sports, I go for motorcycle rides in the Pyrenees… I nurture my creativity by reading, watching films or documentaries… but I disconnect from the world of photography. Being a solitary person, it also allows me to recharge my social batteries. After a while, the need to produce images returns on its own, with a fresh mind and new ideas.

You’re very efficient and driven during outdoor shoots. How do you balance staying true to the artistic direction while remaining open to what the scene offers in the moment?

For me, it all starts with solid preparation: I know the art direction, the idea we want to convey, and what I need to capture. But once I'm on set, I remain very attentive to what the location, the light, and the person in front of me offer in that moment. Sometimes, a gesture, a detail, or an unexpected instant can completely enrich the image. I remember that moment during location scouting in Tenerife for the first Mircea shoot. We were looking for a natural pool for the bathing shots, and Yentl and I spotted a ridge with the low sun in the background where we could take backlit shots of Gabriela's silhouette. We couldn't have imagined that light in advance, and this idea wasn't planned at all, but we seized the opportunity to get some beautiful additional images. My balance lies there: keeping the objective of the shoot in mind, while leaving room for the unexpected so that all the images are vibrant and as authentic as possible. It is a constant dialogue between intention and spontaneity.

What does it mean for you to live and work close to natural elements? How does your environment influence the way you imagine and create?

In my personal work, the notion of freedom is often central to the images. I also try to convey a sense of carefree gentleness in my photos. The environment is therefore very important, and I love nature for that reason. I often find urbanization and human constructions very aggressive.

Beyond your artistic and technical skills, you have a very professional and trusting relationship with your models. You’re great at casting, and your shoots unfold remarkably smoothly. Do you have any tips on how you built those relationships?

As for casting, it's all about artistic direction; you have to find a personality that matches what you want to convey. It's not just about looks. Then, regarding fluidity, it's important to ensure the model is completely at ease so she can give me her best, that she's comfortable with me, that she's not cold, that she can take breaks when she needs to, etc., especially during shoots like Mircea's where she's placed in a position of intense vulnerability because she's being photographed nude. I always keep in mind that she's entrusting me with her image; it's very important to respect that and that she has complete trust in me. From there, the relationship develops quite naturally.

Let’s talk about work–life balance. You’re one of the few who’ve managed to live in Bayonne while working in Paris and elsewhere. How did you create that balance, and did it involve any sacrifices? 

To be honest, I don't particularly enjoy living in Paris. You're trapped there in the noise, the crowds, and the concrete, with no view of the horizon, and there are no mountains, sea, or ocean nearby… I like being in a peaceful environment, and since I have more free time than working hours, I prioritized living somewhere I feel good rather than living in Paris… To be honest, the question didn't even come up!
Also, I think my career wouldn't have developed in the same way if I had lived far from nature.
On the other hand, it's obvious that maintaining my professional network is more complicated, but with the hyper-connectivity we live in today, social media, etc., it's completely doable.

Can you share a sensory detail from your bathing ritual — a place, a practice, a pace, or something that simply feels right for you?

Let's talk about summer then! When vacationers flock to the beaches in my region, there's a constant hustle and bustle, a lot of noise, and it takes a lot of energy to stay in the middle of it all… I escape the beach for a while to recharge inland and enjoy the calm and coolness of the rivers. The atmosphere is gentler there, and my mind isn't constantly distracted by the activity around me; it's restful.
The images for Mircea's new work were created in the places where I swim in the summer.

All pictures by Corentin Bertau.