1. Get to know Francois: Most-Liked List
Digital camera: Early in my career I fell in love with Nikon, back then it was much more robust than Canon
Vintage camera: Mamiya 645
Wheels: Born to roll – from BMX to roller boots, racers to e-bikes – I ride them all. Latest fixation is a One Wheel!
City: Prague and Athens
Beverage: Old Fashioned
Bands: Beastie Boys, Iggy Pop, Cardiacs
DJs: Skrillex, Aphrodite, Stand High Patrol
Sunglasses: I like women’s sunglasses
Designers: Gresham Blake (Brighton), George Cox creepers
3.
Click over to Simulacra Studio’s Instagram account and see for yourself the diversity of Francois Boutemy’s client work. Scroll the dynamic mash-up of images – everything from luxury locations, studio parties, premium food and drink pics to fashion models, circus performers and artists like YUNGBLUD, Max Romeo and Club/Cabaret favourite Empress Stah. Get a behind-the-scenes look at how Francois and the studio team work.
5. Risky Beachness:
Island Studio Expansion
In 2016 Francois took a risk and expanded Simulacra Studio to include a new photo studio and design agency on the Greek island of Paros – Sodium Burn Creative was created to serve a growing market of luxury hotels, beach villas and restaurants looking for high quality design and branding as well as cutting-edge drone photography and video. Around the same time Simulacra Studio acquired the prestigious license for The Photo Academy, allowing for an advantageous pivot into the business of education. Studio services now include exclusive photography workshops for beginners to advanced photographers; these workshops allow Francois to pass on his skills to a new generation of photographers.
This time period also marks Simulacra Studio's 10 year business anniversary.
2.
Photographer: Francois Boutemy
Languages: French, English and learning Greek
Studio locations: Simulacra Studio, London, England and Sodium Burn Creative, Paros, Greece
Professional photographer, educator and business entrepreneur, Francois Boutemy has been shooting for over twenty-five years. During that time Francois founded Simulacra Studio in London, England – a full-service commercial photographic studio that provides website, branding and graphics services. Francois has been building on that foundation business ever since.
4. Beyond the Camera: Lifestyle Business Boom
Early on Francois collaborated with Ralph Lauren and Quintessentially, two of the world's leading luxury lifestyle brands, resulting in numerous photography and publishing opportunities for Simulacra Studio. With increasing demand for social media visual content, especially video, Francois refurbished Simulacra Studio, as well as launched Simulacra Studio Events. The on-site licensed event space met a growing client need for a customizable venue for product launches, music showcases and private parties. Time Out Magazine called Francois Boutemy’s London venue one to watch.
Francois Boutemy is continually building on his portfolio of Simulacra Studio achievements, from commercial work for big brands like AirBnB, Google, Matterport, BBC, NME, EMI, ASOS and National Geographic to photography projects with independent artists, designers and musicians like Boomtown Festival, Greek fashion designer/stylist Alexandra Katsaiti, Slum Dog Millionaire screenwriter Simon Beaufoy, La Roux and indie band The Cribs. Want to see more names? Click here
6. In Love with the Camera:
With Passion Comes Success
When Francois is asked what people love about working with him, he says it’s a number of things; one of them being his dedication and work ethic: Francois is the first one in and the last to leave on any job. Also his one-to-one relatability with clients and coworkers – the studio atmosphere is proactive and productive, Francois likes to dispel any corporate or hierarchical posturing in his studio space. Most importantly, Francois’ longevity in the photography industry makes him a highly sought after expert; he’s been a photographer since he was 15-years-old. Francois has the unique skill of being a hands-on business person, clients can count on Francois being involved in every element – from designing a set, building it, to shooting it.
Francois’ personal passion projects continue to inspire his commercial video work. For instance, his long collaboration with London’s legendary punk band Inner Terrestrials has taken Francois from Bristol to Berlin, Warsaw to Tokyo, as their tour photographer.
Francois recently undertook the massive task of shooting not one but three music videos for Inner Terrestrials in front of a live audience to coincide with the release of the band’s latest album Heart Of The Free. Francois worked with the band at his London studio to complete the project.
A love of punk, ska and dub has led Francois to many opportunities to work with music legends such as Max Romeo as well as artists on the verge of stardom. Pop singer Kate Klein, who’s a big name in Los Angeles and South Korea, worked with Francois on their music video Love On Drugs; he directed, filmed and edited the music video. Watch it here
Here’s a list of music talent Francois has worked with: DUO, The Cribs, YUNGBLUD, The Big Smoke Family.
'The Fetish Cookbook' (2009),
'Words and Pictures' (2008)
'Lomosexual: A Tribute to L.O.M.O. Cameras' (2007)
‘Made In England’ (1999).
Contact Francois
Francois is currently based in Paros working on new projects, including plans to move Simulacra Studio – a larger London location is in the works.
Contact Francois Boutemy to work on your next promotional campaign or personal project. The best way to reach him is email: francois@simulacrastudio.com
