Hugo Comte, Fashion's New Pragmatic And Mysterious Mastermind
The Seven Sisters shot by Hugo Comte
You might have seen Hugo Comte’s work before without even realizing it, with storm he has taken the fashion and music industry’s photography game to a whole new dimension, making his voice heard quite loud in the last year. For a photographer who has only been working in this field for barley five years, his work is impeccable and he now is one of the most discussed and followed photographers in the industry. Today, we’re diving into the hot “new talk” of the year, Hugo Comte, who has entered 2021 with a loud bang!
Hugo Comte’s work is deeply inspired by the 90s aesthetics of cinematography and fashion, which is quite evident in his pieces. He tries to capture the energy, attitude, and the strength of his models by photographing them in a super-saturated, clear, and expressive way. His work reminisces fashion’s most glorious era all while adding a modern twist to it. His technique is truly brilliant and there is none other out there like him; this trademark has given rise to his increasing fan base. As Vogue describes it:” he walks the fine line between pragmatism and mystery”. He works with airbrush artist who enable him to redesign his imagery and create artwork out of photography– a trend we have seen in the past by some of the greatest pop art icons. Furthermore, in all his pieces he practices the unique CGI technique, which creates a grained texture which is truly his landmark style and why one recognises his work. In his own words:
“90s images really express an energy more than anything; some eras it’s about style or concept, but this specific era was about expressing a human energy.”
Comte’s career is marked by him taking a different approach to photography then many of his peers. For him, the model is the centre of the attention. It’s not just about being beautiful and having the right look for him; the sheer emotional intensity, depth, and inspiration these women portray is the key message his viewers should feel when they look at his pieces. The classic way of photographing women–them just being dolls wearing clothes to sell–has, in his opinion, become outdated. Instead of people using their models to share their own message, he believes that the model’s intention should always be the message. Basically, he captures the stories the models want to tell, which is a unique approach that celebrates the female strength, emotional state, and personality instead of them being merely means to and end.
Bella Hadid for Pop Magazine shot by Hugo Comte
“I Dedicate My Entire Being, Energy, And Focus To Making Women As Beautiful As Possible”
Comte has worked with a long list of Hollywood’s favourites such as Dua Lipa, Bella Hadid and Irina Shayk. One of my favourite shoots of his is in fact with Dua Lipa– an artist I adore, due to her undeniable funky vibe, great music, and modern attitude. I remember looking at her Future Nostalgia album cover and thinking it was one of the greatest cover shots this year, and it was no surprise to me that Comte was involved in it. His focus on texture, the clear and rich colours, and her stare that goes right through you, are all part of his signature style.
Dua Lipa’s Future Nostalgia by Hugo Comte
“ When I shoot an image, I always try to give the feeling that the woman is not being photographed but that she is looking through the camera, which gives a direct contact between the watcher and the muse.”