Four&Sons

Shoe fetish

BY Four&Sons, October 31, 2011

New York-born, Paris-based photographer Peter Lippmann has found his niche amongst pencil heels and creme brulee. Peter’s editorial, still life and food photography for Vogue, Marie Claire, the NY Times Magazine or Madame Figaro (amongst many others), and his collaboration with Christian Louboutin and the Cartier Art Magazine are proof this photographer has something to say by adding a touch of dark sense of humour to his work.

Seductive, tactile, painterly, the compositions are considered, layered, measured, often a wink to the Old Masters, yet, with a contemporary edge. ’My father was a painter, among lots of other things. He instilled a love of painting in me at a very young age. I paint like a spanish cow, but I do some of my own backgrounds and really enjoy doing it’ Peter explains. Working in Paris for 25 years, a city where art and fashion become synonymous, may also explain a few things.

Although the technical aspect is flawless (no accidents in sight here), the creative process starts much earlier on the piece. ‘I spend a lot more time on idea then on the technical aspects. Conception and work beforehand is increasingly important to me and understanding how important this part of my work is, has been responsible for the leap in my career over the last 10 years’ Peter adds.

We catch up with Peter to talk about working with dogs (with no animal handler on set!) and his gorgeous editorial piece for Marie Claire, Shoebones.

Given how carefully composed are your images, how was shooting with dogs? Any tricks needed to make them behave? 
In all humility, I am the dog master. I spent 15 years studying under Johana, half Tibetan terrier, half poodle, whose constant wisdom, patience, and understanding made me a more canine human being. Compared to the CD covers for my rock band (Walking the Dogs) this shoot was puppy’s play…

Where did the idea came from? We can all feel the pain of having a pair of favourite stilettos destroyed…
The idea came over dinner with Christophe Cagnolari. My only real merit is that I used to be his au pair, when I first came to Paris 30 years ago.

The spaces look very interesting… where was it shot?
Some were done in the studio, some were at my upstairs neighbor’s appartment which hasn’t changed since the 1950′s. I’ve shot several decors in her apartment. I’d love to tell you her name but…

Who are the dogs featured?  
All of the dogs owners were on the Walking the Dogs mailing list. The double irish wolf is the master of the world renowned model maker – Alain Roussel.

And finally, do you have a dog yourself?
I never had a dog, but dogs always had me. When I was a child I was owned by two chihuahua, a Manchester terrier, and then a golden retriever. However, it was only as Johana’s disciple that I began to glimpse the beauty and complexity of the canine world.

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Photography courtesy of Peter Lippmann
peterlippmann.com
See the complete Shoebones series on Peter’s website

Tags Art, Christian Louboutin, Editorial, Food, New York, Paris, Peter Lippmann, Photography, Still Life, Vogue