LE MARAIS

• Prize
• Photographer
  Olesya Shilkina, France

LE MARAIS

Le Marais is a neighborhood of Paris on the right bank of the
Seine. This neighborhood in the center of town literally radiates
old-world charm - no wonder it is often called Old Paris. Le
Marais is a real labyrinth of cobblestone streets, hidden
courtyards, contemporary art galleries and ivy-twined cafes and
restaurants. Back in the day, the tone in Le Marais was set by
the thriving Jewish community, now, it is replaced by Parisian
sexual minorities, who sustain their fashionable neighborhood
in model order.
I roamed this animated neighborhood, meeting people that
aesthetically caught my eye, and asked to photograph them. In
this series of male portraits I strive to capture the charm of Le
Marais inhabitants. The question is, does the marvelous
environment of Le Marais attract such personalities or do these
people soak in the unlimited wonder this place has to offer in
order to become who they are. We may never know the answer,
but one thing is for sure these people are truly beautiful and
unique.