Sarah Moon : How can one live without hope and longing?

This woman was already a legend in her lifetime. Not just because of her work, but also because of the path she took. Born to a French mother and Anglo-American father in France, in 1941, the family were forced to emigrate under Nazi rule. She grew up with her two brothers in Switzerland and later in Paris. Having graduated, she entered the world of photography as a model, using her maiden name. Bored of standing around and posing, and feeling the grass might be greener on the other side, and so she tried her hand at photography using the pseudonym Sarah Moon.

This all took place sometime ago. Nowadays, a single issue of BOOKLET sees the introduction of about 5-10 female photographers. It was different back then. There were a handful of female photographers that are still all relevant today. Lee Miller, Gisele Freund, not to mention a woman called Sarah Moon. Not as in the moon, so she assures us. Today the image of a photographer remains a male one. We wanted to ask her why she thinks this is so. Her response is diplomatic : Everything takes time.

So we decided to slow down and join her: The blurry Cacharel campaigns and 1974 Pirelli calendar were important landmarks in your photographic life and still hold a special place in many people’s memories today. The Pirelli calendar was particularly special as you were the first female photographer ever to shoot one. In addition to this, you have shot countless editorials, campaigns, over 150 commercial spots, and had your work exhibited in a host of exhibitions. What is there left to do? What desire has yet to be fulfilled? Her sphinx-like reply: How can one live without hope and longing?

Focusing on the queen of photographic blur, read the interview in BOOKLET #9.