GATA chats with the photographer about neurodivergent brains, stopping traffic in Tokyo and defying societal norms

In recent years, French director/photographer Thibault-Théodore has established himself as one of the most inflammatory creatives working in the industry. His pastel-washed imagery filled with evocative and larger-than-life characters, has pushed the buttons of the figures in power, fighting back at those who wish to box in creativity and stifle new ideas. His photos are loud, fun and out-of-the-box; wearing a vibrant sense of queerness like a badge of honour.

Splitting his time between Europe, North America and Asia, Thibault-Théodore has recently come off the back of a trip to Seoul, which saw him team up with the prodigious talents of some of the city’s most exciting creatives to create an exclusive editorial for GATA. The GATA team also had a chance to chat with the artist: touching on his unconventional origin in the fashion industry, his filmmaking aspirations, as well as the reasons why he’s a nightmare for normative ways of thinking.

GATA: Hi Thibault! Could you introduce yourself to the GATA family?

Thibault: I’m Thibault-Théodore, a photographer and director born in Biarritz, France, and currently based in Paris. My work takes me around the world, with frequent travels to Tokyo and Seoul. I left France at 18 to live in China and the United States, which greatly influenced my perspective and creativity. I’m queer and proud, and as with any artist, I’m neurodivergent, bringing that unique lens to everything I do.

GATA: How did you become a photographer?

Thibault: I became a photographer by working as a sex worker and model in Asia. I started by filming my roommate’s clients, and friends, driven by my obsession with creating stories and capturing people out of their usual context. This passion for storytelling naturally evolved into a career in photography and directing.

GATA: Did you always want to be a photographer?

Thibault: Not at all. I initially studied theatre acting, but as a neurodivergent student, I struggled to keep up and didn’t earn a diploma. I was definitely lost, but travelling to Asia changed my life and set me on the path to becoming a photographer.

GATA: Throughout your entire career, what photograph still excites you when you look at it?

Thibault: Honestly, nothing excites me as much as the photograph I shot of my muse, Raya Martigny. She’s this bombshell, clever, magical doll, and I absolutely love her. She still makes my heart melt, both when I’m working with her and when I look at our past work together.

GATA: If you could photograph anyone past, present or future, who would it be?

Thibault: The world—cities and people. As a photographer, I see myself as both a witness to cultural evolution and someone who helps shape it. Capturing the essence of different places and their inhabitants over time would be the ultimate project.

GATA: What is the craziest thing that has happened to you on a set? Any funny stories to share with us?

Thibault: The craziest thing that happened to me on set, was the day I was on a train to Nagano, when Katie Grand called me to return to Tokyo to shoot a cover for Perfect Magazine—on my 35th birthday, no less! It was a dream job. We shot at Shibuya Crossing, and my husband, Nicola Scarlino, stopped the traffic so I could capture the talents. It was absolutely insane!

GATA: You said that you are a “normie’s nightmare” in your Instagram bio, but can you tell us what exactly gives Thibault-Théodore nightmares?

Thibault: I think the name “normie’s nightmare” is my playful way of saying “fuck you” to the industry. People in this business often think they’re being creative, but they’re just doing the same thing over and over. It’s funny to me because they’re just normies at the end of the day, and I’m their nightmare. My work is eclectic, and I can do a lot, which keeps them on their toes. They prefer photographers who stick to the same style so they can easily box them in creatively. What gives me nightmares is seeing art directors from big brands and productions who hate their lives but continue to produce mediocre work. That’s what really bothers me.

I see myself as a “normie’s nightmare” because the muses I work with and the characters I develop are queer and defy societal norms. They’re not what society typically considers “normal” and that’s what makes them powerful—and a nightmare for the normies who prefer everything to fit neatly into boxes. I love that. It’s punk, and I’m punk! My work challenges the status quo and keeps people uncomfortable, which is exactly where I want them.

GATA: What is your favourite part of the human body to photograph?

Thibault: A nude body, for sure. I love the vulnerability and poetry of it, especially in a one-on-one setup. There’s something profoundly intimate and raw about capturing the human form in its most natural state.

GATA: Do you have any plans for the future?

Thibault: I’m currently writing my first screenplay and want to focus more on my directing career. I’m also planning to relocate to Tokyo or Seoul in the near future—Paris just doesn’t excite me anymore, and I feel more alive and sexy in Asia! And, of course, I’m manifesting a Palme d’Or at the Cannes Festival—haha!