Jean Kempf (b. 1956) is Emeritus professor of American Studies at the University of Lyon. He has much too high an opinion of professional photographers to call himself one. Let’s say that he takes photographs to understand the world around him and share it with others.
He started photography with his father when he was 12, then did extensive work as a street and documentary photographer when a teenager. In 1977-78, he worked as the staff photographer for the student newspaper The Charlatan (Carleton University, Ottawa, now online…) and freelanced for various publications. On his return to France (to do his military service) he opted for an academic career, writing about the history of photography but stopping taking pictures. He picked up his camera again when his first daughter was born (1990) and ever since has been lucky to be able to practice photography for the joy of it while pursuing his academic career.
He admires many contemporary documentary photographers who manage to keep up their dedication in the face of tremendous economic difficulties.
He started photography with his father when he was 12, then did extensive work as a street and documentary photographer when a teenager. In 1977-78, he worked as the staff photographer for the student newspaper The Charlatan (Carleton University, Ottawa, now online…) and freelanced for various publications. On his return to France (to do his military service) he opted for an academic career, writing about the history of photography but stopping taking pictures. He picked up his camera again when his first daughter was born (1990) and ever since has been lucky to be able to practice photography for the joy of it while pursuing his academic career.
He admires many contemporary documentary photographers who manage to keep up their dedication in the face of tremendous economic difficulties.