
Pierre-Olivier
Pierre-Olivier Deschamps
biography

French photographer, member of Agence VU’ since 1986, lives and works mainly in Paris.
First a theater photographer and studio assistant, Pierre-Olivier Deschamps’ work is quickly published by the daily newspaper Libération. In 1986 he joins Agence VU’: as one of the very first members, he participates in the development of a new type of reportage that defines the photographer as an author and not simply an image producer.
For the past fifteen years, Pierre-Olivier Deschamps devotes himself more particularly to design, art craft, architecture and urban landscape in all its forms – whatever the style, use or condition. The sharpness of his eye and his technical skills allow him to overcome the constraints of representation and underline its challenges, beyond simple photographic recording.
His work thus evolves with subtlety between long-term personal projects, commissioned work and institutional collaborations. Among other major projects, he documented La Samaritaine rehabilitation project, the future sites of Grand Paris network project, or the collections of the Musée des Confluences.
Winner of a World Press Photo prize in 2010 for his serie “Résidence”, Pierre-Olivier Deschamps published “Architectures” (les éditions du Chêne et Arte éditions, 2007), “Maisons d’architectes à Paris” (La Martinière, 2010), “Architectures et paysages industriels, l’invention d’un patrimoine” (La Martinière 2012), “L’usage des jours” (Éditions Bernard Chauveau, 2012), “Musée des Confluences, une collection” (Actes Sud, 2017) and “Les Franciscaines – Deauville” (Editions des falaises, 2021).
Series


D-Day Landing beaches, 2024

The Samaritaine, 2021

CMN Villers-Cotterêts Castle, 2020

Epernay Museum, 2020

Les Franciscaines, Deauville, 2020

The « Grand Paris » Project, 2020

Confluences, 2017

Industrial heritage, 2012

Hidden Versailles, 2011

Residency, 2010

Architects houses, 2010

RMN Grand Palais, 2009

Museum of Modern Art of Luxembourg, 2006

Architectures, 2006

Renault factory on Ile Seguin, 2003

Shadow in Japan, 1991

Fort Nieulay, 1987

Behind the Altar of Notre-Dame, 2024

D-Day Landing beaches, 2024

The Samaritaine, 2021

CMN Villers-Cotterêts Castle, 2020

Epernay Museum, 2020

Les Franciscaines, Deauville, 2020

The « Grand Paris » Project, 2020

Confluences, 2017

Industrial heritage, 2012

Hidden Versailles, 2011

Residency, 2010

Architects houses, 2010

RMN Grand Palais, 2009

Museum of Modern Art of Luxembourg, 2006

Architectures, 2006

Renault factory on Ile Seguin, 2003

Shadow in Japan, 1991

Fort Nieulay, 1987

Behind the Altar of Notre-Dame, 2024

D-Day Landing beaches, 2024

The Samaritaine, 2021

CMN Villers-Cotterêts Castle, 2020

Epernay Museum, 2020

Les Franciscaines, Deauville, 2020

The « Grand Paris » Project, 2020

Confluences, 2017

Industrial heritage, 2012

Hidden Versailles, 2011

Residency, 2010

Architects houses, 2010

RMN Grand Palais, 2009

Museum of Modern Art of Luxembourg, 2006

Architectures, 2006

Renault factory on Ile Seguin, 2003

Shadow in Japan, 1991

Fort Nieulay, 1987
Interviews
ARTE / Le dessous des images
Broadcast on 30 September 2024, presented by Sonia Devillers
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In its programme ‘Le Dessous des images’, Arte devoted an episode to the front page of Libération, with a portrait of Jane Birkin, photographed by Pierre-Olivier Deschamps.
‘On 17 July 2023, France mourned Jane Birkin while the press unleashed its obituaries. The daily ‘Libération’ wrote a black and white farewell with a full-page portrait of the actress. Lionel Charrier, the daily’s photo editor, explains how the editorial team came up with the front page dedicated to Jane Birkin.
Interview of Pierre-Olivier Deschamps “My Samaritaine 2015”
Elqui Films
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Interview by Elqui Films, 2015
Interview with the photographer Pierre-Olivier Deschamps about his photographs of the Samaritaine.
ExHIBitions
Le Musée ! Regards photographiques
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Musée de vin de Champagne et d’Archéologie régionale d’Epernay (FRANCE)
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From May 4 to October 31, 2022
Architecture et photographie
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Galerie Caue 92, Nanterre (FRANCE)
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From April 06 to April 29, 2017
L’ici et maintenant
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MAC VAL, Vitry sur Seine (FRANCE)
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From June 13 to September 20, 2015
Books

Métamorphose - La Samaritaine

Le monde en tête, The donation of Antoine de Galbert headdresses

Confluences Museum

Architectures and industrial landscapes, The invention of a heritage

Use of the days

Architects' houses in Paris, private visits : From 1920 until today

Architectures

Métamorphose - La Samaritaine

Le monde en tête, The donation of Antoine de Galbert headdresses

Confluences Museum

Architectures and industrial landscapes, The invention of a heritage

Use of the days

Architects' houses in Paris, private visits : From 1920 until today

Architectures

Métamorphose - La Samaritaine

Le monde en tête, The donation of Antoine de Galbert headdresses

Confluences Museum

Architectures and industrial landscapes, The invention of a heritage

Use of the days

Architects' houses in Paris, private visits : From 1920 until today

Architectures
awards

World Press Photo – Contemporary Issues, Singles, 1st Prize (Netherlands)
For his photograph “France Residence: Avenue des Champs Elysées, Paris”
2010

National Center of Photography “Moins trente”Award (France)
For his Marrocan travel journal
1987