Robert Doisneau

Who is Robert Doisneau?

Born in 1912, just outside of Paris, life was a bit rough for him early on-His parents died when he was still very young. He was then raised by his aunt and placed in a school where he learned the art of engraving.

Then came the discovery of photography.

In the beginning, he worked in a factory as a photographer for Renault, but he could never make it on time because he would wander around Paris photographing the lives of everyday people. After a time, he was let go, but honestly, this was one of the best things that could have happened to him.

So, he went off doing magazine work and continued-doing what he loves: shooting random moments of real life. Roussel cherished taking photographs of human beings just being: kissing, laughing, getting late for an appointment, shopping, playing-nothing about model work or posing. It was simply life.

The most flattering image from him is The Kiss by the Hôtel de Ville—a couple kissing on a sidewalk in Paris, with pedestrians walking casually past. Everybody was convinced that it captured a truly random romantic moment, but funnily enough, it was staged! He had spotted that young couple earlier and asked them to kiss again during the time he took his picture. Pretty wild, right? But, although posed, it comes off so real. This is why people cherish it.