Stéphane Lavoué

Stéphane Laboué © Fançois Joret

France | Born in 1976

„When shooting portraits, three parameters must
be considered: the person being photographed,
the light and the background. Therefore, in a very
short space of time, you have to freeze the light
and the frame, in order to have time to focus on
the person and, just as you would with
a sculpture, work on the subject’s attitude.“

Stéphane Lavoué

They are tugboat captains, fishmongers, deep-sea divers, apprentice sailors, fishermen, semaphore specialists, and military riflemen – all united by their daily connection to the Atlantic Ocean along the Morbihan coast.

For the 2025 edition of the Festival, which also focuses on sea-related issues, photographer Stéphane Lavoué –an acclaimed portraitist and winner of the 2018 Prix Niépce Gens d’Images award– and author Catherine Le Gall embarked on research expeditions, lasting weeks at a time, to meet those who work at sea. Ten years after their project about food in Brittany, which was also exhibited at La Gacilly Photo Festival, the pair turned their attention to ocean-related professions for a photographic commission from the Morbihan Departmental Council. They travelled the length and breadth of our shores, from Lorient to Vannes, via Étel, Saint-Gildas- de-Rhuys and Groix, to meet those whose work is intrinsically and intimately linked to the sea. 

How do these maritime professionals relate to the marine world? What do they love about their constant connection to the ocean? What makes a sea-based profession so unique? Around twenty people took part in photographic portraits, which are accompanied by a verbatim report to explain who they are and what they feel. In their eyes, one can see determination and a sense of duty, pride and at times fatigue. Whether they were born in Brittany or have come here to work; whether they dive, collect seaweed, make nets or search for fish; whether they are on the quayside, in the middle of the sea or in hangars, they all convey their passion for their profession and for the environment in which they work every day. After all, each has to endure harsh winters and occasional storms, working day and night while remaining humble in the face of unpredictable conditions.