I was working at BBDO, an ad agency in Paris, as an assistant art buyer (as we were called then) when his agent came to show us some books.
She thought I looked great, took a quick polaroid of me, and next thing I knew, I was meeting the great man himself!
He was looking for nude models for a new book. I was then beyond shy and so ill at ease in my own skin that the idea freaked me out to no end.
But I did it, mostly to prove to myself that I could do it, and also because it was Jeanloup Sieff — the man was a legend in France! How could I say no?
He was nice and attentive, professional and patient. The shoot took place in his loft. I remember it was during summer and Paris was quiet.
A few weeks later, Sieff invited me back to see the contact sheet and choose an image for a print, but we kept on missing each other. I got busy getting ready to move to New York; I got scared and shy again… and I never went and never got my print!
When he passed away, that door closed forever… I don’t have a lot of regrets in my life but that’s definitely one of them!




© Jeanloup Sieff
Disclaimer: Aurelie’s Gallery does not represent Jeanloup Sieff. My “Photographers I love” series is purely for inspiration and to encourage discussion.