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Chloé Marchal
Country where you live:
- Canada
City where you live:
- Montréal
Website:
Instagram:
Facebook:
Statement :
For me, photography is more than just a visual tool—it is an extension of the eye, a way to capture fragments of reality often overlooked in the rush of everyday life. These fleeting moments, when observed closely, reveal profound human stories. My goal is to preserve these pieces of life, assign them a unique significance, and weave them into a visual narrative.
My approach goes beyond aesthetics; it is rooted in a sociological reflection. Influenced by my personal convictions—feminism, social justice, and the power of representation—myphotography seeks to highlight voices that are often left unheard. In a world saturated with noise and superficial imagery, I see it as essential to carve out space for those whose stories remain invisible. Each image I capture is an invitation to a silent dialogue, where the viewer is free to interpret the scene through their own lens.
I am particularly drawn to individuals who carry a unique presence, those whose faces, postures, and expressions hint at untold stories. Whether in a fleeting glance exchanged on the streets of Montreal or an intimate portrait captured during my travels, I aim to reveal the beauty and complexity of those who often go unnoticed. Inspired by the cinema of Hitchcock, Wim Wenders, and Agnès Varda, my visual approach merges storytelling with composition, creating scenes that invite curiosity and contemplation. From Vivian Maier to Nan Goldin, Diane Arbus to Josef Koudelka, these photographers have taught me to observe discreetly, to capture details without disrupting the moment. In post- production, I adopt a painterly approach—enhancing colors and contrasts to bring out the raw expression of my subjects. Each image becomes a space for exchange, a place where the unheard can finally be seen and understood.
Living Earth, A Moment out of Gravity
This photo was taken next to the business district of La Défense in Paris. The contrast between this particular scene and the general surrounding atmosphere struck me. The urban landscape was sterile and impersonal, with big buildings, men in suits, expensive cars, and passers-by on their telephones staring at the ground. Like a slot machine. After crossing the boulevard, I found myself next to a tiny fair with lots of noise - children shouting and laughing without care. I raised my head and saw this carousel all in motion, stirring the air, a completely parallel universe. The players weren't concerned with political chess, determined by profit and anonymity. The children were just enjoying the moment and their ephemeral merry-go-round. In my mind, it contrasted perfectly with Moby’s animated clip 'Are You Lost In The World Like Me?' This photograph illustrates for me both the actions of these children and my intentions in the photographic process when I spontaneously pressed the button. After that, the story is all yours.
Work Credit:
Chloé Marchal
The Invitation
We were young students in our early twenties, immersed in the process of becoming photography teachers for summer camps. Entire days were spent discussing theories on how to teach the art of spontaneity, our minds buzzing with ideas about capturing life in the moment. Between lectures, we gathered on the small terrace of the center, finding brief reprieves in the warmth of the sun and the comfort of shared laughter.
Coffee and tea flowed, the faint scent of cigarettes lingering in the air, and Marius, as always, passed around his joint with a grin. There was a quiet, unspoken understanding between us—this was more than just a break. It was a fleeting taste of freedom, a pause in a world that demanded so much of us. A moment to breathe before diving back into the complexities of teaching creativity.
Work Credit:
Chloé Marchal
Spotless Mind, Double Standards - The Holidays
One Sunday afternoon on the ultra-popular Coney Island beach in New York. The air is thick with the laughter of children, the music of street performers, and the buzz of kiosks serving up hot dogs and ice cream. Groups of friends gather around picnic tables, enjoying brunch as the sun beats down on the crowded shoreline. It’s a scene of unbridled joy, the illusion of an endless vacation. But then, a distant hum cuts through the revelry, growing louder by the second. The sky, once clear and inviting, is suddenly split by the low roar of patrol planes streaking overhead.
The lighthearted chatter falters, eyes turning upward. A moment of collective pause. Where are they going? Why are they here? Their presence is jarring against the carefree backdrop—an eerie reminder that beyond the beach, the world remains a place where peace is fleeting and war, ever-present.
Work Credit:
Chloé Marchal
In the Midst of Creation
I caught this moment as he was surrounded by the chaotic energy of his creative space—a mix of musical instruments, scribbled notes, and half-finished ideas scattered around him. There’s a sense of calm in his posture, lying there among the disarray, yet everything about the scene speaks to his constant state of creative flux. The objects surrounding him are his world, and each piece tells a part of his story.
The light was hitting just right, casting a dramatic shadow across his t-shirt, which, with its quirky design, seemed to mirror the organized chaos of his environment. Above him, the artificial lilies—out of place, yet not unwelcome—added an odd sense of contrast, as if to remind me that creativity often blooms in the most unexpected ways.
In this image, I wanted to capture the intersection of his creative process and his environment. The mess, the quiet, the light—it all speaks to the way he works. It’s not about perfection or order, but about how he finds meaning in the space he occupies. This photo feels like a frozen moment of his creative mind in action, a reflection of how everything around him is part of the art.
Work Credit:
Chloé Marchal
Reflections of an Historian
During a documentary shoot, this man—his profile captured from behind—shared a profound knowledge about the history of isolated communities in the US, shedding light on the social inequalities once revealed in books that have now been largely forgotten by those who no longer take the time to read them. His vague reflection, distorted by the glass and the passing moment, subtly embodies the contrast between his clear, well-founded words and the short-sighted, diffuse reception of those words in today’s world. The blurred image is not just an aesthetic choice, but a metaphor for the fading echoes of knowledge, slipping out of focus and relevance as time moves forward.
Work Credit:
Chloé Marchal
Bio:
Born on July 7, 1994, currently based in Montreal. Chloé Marchal is a Photographer, Writer, and
Film Producer. From a young age, she has been driven by a passion for visual arts, making her
first films at the age of 12 and starting her first photography commissions at 15. Her work has
been recognized through collaborations with award-winning production companies, press
publications, and art galleries. With a sharp creative eye and a deep interest in storytelling, she
approaches composition with a unique sensitivity, whether in film or photography. Influenced by
the raw intimacy of Diane Arbus, the poetic wanderings of Josef Koudelka, the cinematic depth
of Nan Goldin, the candid authenticity of Vivian Maier, the humanist vision of Mary Ellen Mark,
and the painterly storytelling of Mark Tennant, her street photography and portraits capture the
essence of unique individuals. A particular awareness of the power of travel and human
encounters shapes her work, always carrying the story of the spontaneity of a moment.
 United States Scottsdale |
 U.S. New York |
 Netherlands Enschede |
 Costa Rica San Jose |
 Italia Firenze |
