Four&Sons

WHERE THE COOL KIDS ARE

WORDS BY Emma Guthrie

Living on a sun-strewn island off the coast of Africa is enough to inspire anybody, and photographer Raquel Chicheri is no different. The easygoing quality of her work will make you want to pack up on an adventure, and live the idyllic, romantic lifestyle that radiates from her portfolio.

A keen photographer since she was small, it wasn’t until she began shooting her windsurfer boyfriend (following a completely different career path in international commerce as well as graphic design) that Chicheri became a professional in the field. And just like those kick-starting images, it is her life and surroundings that heavily influence her imagery: from kids and animals, to water and girls on the street.

Take for example her series Beach Life. While at first glance the pictures appear as simple, pretty pictures of blonde haired toddlers and bronzed surfer girls romping on the beach; look a little closer and the deeper interaction between each element becomes more apparent. Says Chicheri, “I think the photo gets more interesting when I see the relationship between them.”

Indeed she is never without her camera, and all her work is done in the great outdoors. It is testament to her talent that the pictures maintain their beautiful dappled lighting without the use of a filter (unusual in our Instagram-obsessed culture) and  what you see is what you get with no added studio manipulation. Despite trying weather hurdles synonymous with working at the beach, like wind and sand damage to her instrument, if the end result is a good one she is prepared to pay the price.

Dogs proves this perfectly, and shows Chicheri’s remarkable ability to capture a moment precisely as it happens, even if it means colliding with a wave or tripping over herself.  There is also an innate sense of ‘cool’ in these works without being overly corny—no mean feat when working with animals. From the pooch staring you down from inside a car, to the family pet just chillin’ with his owner, these guys have got it going on and she in turn delights at the moments. She says. “Some situations are magical, special, and when I realise I am in one of these my heart beats so fast and the happiness is absolute.”

Next on her wish list is Cuba, the perfect fantasy land for the Raquel Chicheri touch.

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raquelchicheri.com