Community · February 23, 2024

The Art of Minimalism with Mathilde Langevin

Meet Unsplash contributor and master of minimalism, Mathilde Langevin

Alyssa Wright

In a world full of visual chaos, it takes a special skill to capture simplicity at it purest form.

Meet Mathilde Langevin, an incredible photographer and Unsplash contributor who excels at portraying the art of minimalism. Come along as we discover her perspective behind capturing the simplest beauties.

Who are you and where are you based?

My name is Mathilde and I am a Montreal-based photographer and art director.

When and why did you first get started into photography?

I first picked up a camera during the pandemic to keep busy at home, and it kind of just went organically from there. I started posting my first images on Unsplash, playing creatively with the natural light in my kitchen and making minimalistic product set-ups.

My work was getting traction and it helped me carve out my “minimalist” reputation, which is now something I have clients seek me out for.

What inspires you and your photography?

Most of my photography inspiration comes from interior design, graphic design, museums, and lots of browsing on social platforms.

My general inspiration, as both a person and an artist, is greatly shaped by reading, pop culture, travel, other female artists, my partner, and my parents.

How do you approach composition and framing in minimalist photography?

Oh, great question. In the shooting moment, I don’t necessarily think actively about composition—I think it just comes as a reflex. But when I look back on my images and my photo-taking habits, I tend to frame one object that stands out and takes up about ⅔ of my screen or viewfinder.

I also tend to leave lots of open space around my subject in order to give me room to crop. If I am on my phone, when I travel or do day trips for example, I’ll take images in 2x zoom.

Is there a particular minimalist shot you've taken that surprised you in terms of popularity or personal satisfaction?

This image is incredibly popular and it still fascinates me to this day. This was taken on the fly, between moments at a photoshoot – yet its simplicity clearly resonated with lots of people. I think the mix of natural light and the soft composition of the diagonal lines is what most people found so interesting.

Are there specific challenges you face when working with minimalist compositions?

Sometimes, it’s tricky to keep things interesting. Since most of my clients want that minimalist style, I need to keep finding creative ways to photograph and showcase a product without getting too repetitive. To remedy this, I like to use prisms, glass objects, macro lenses, and shadow play to create fun, new concepts.

How do you decide on the subject matter?

I’m drawn to things that follow my color palette, but also stick out amongst others. For example, a solo flower stem, an extra tall palm tree, a hanging light, an abandoned cup of coffee on a counter, a few people swimming in the ocean… the idea usually pops out at me.

The simpler, the better!

If you had to pick one object or scene to capture in a minimalist photo for the rest of your life, what would it be?

Palm trees against a pale sky.

How do you decide on the color palette for your photos?

I try to follow my “brand” colors, which have always been on the warmer side. Beige, cream, warm white, pale greens, light blues, soft greys…these are usually the colors that I am naturally drawn to and are often found in the things I love photographing the most. The ocean, floral compositions, pieces of art, skincare products, minimal home design, etc.!

What's your go-to camera and lens for capturing those clean, minimalist shots?

I’m team Fuji, with my Fujifilm XT4. My favorite lens is a 50mm/1.4, but I alternate with a 28-75mm/f2.8 and some macro lenses for some cool, minimal product close-ups.

What's your favorite reaction or comment you've received from someone seeing your minimalist work for the first time?

My favorite “reaction” is when I see someone (a friend, a client, or sometimes even a stranger on social media) use my photography as their phone or computer wallpaper. I find it to be such a flattery that a person likes my work enough to look at it every time they open their devices.

It keeps me motivated to keep posting, and it truly inspires me that amongst all 8 billion of us, there are people I’ve never met who love what I do.

Want to see more from Mathilde and get inspired by minimalist photography? Check out these collections: