Arnaud Chapelle

I didn't come to photography through the camera, but through the image. After studying fine arts in Rennes, I spent almost twenty years in image processing — first as a retoucher, then founding my own labs, producing work for dozens of photographers in my region.

In 2010, I crossed over: I created my studio and became a photographer. In 2017, a workshop with Franck Boutonnet changed everything — I became a documentary photographer, and I never looked at an image the same way again.

Today, from Normandy, I photograph weddings, portraits and families. And since 2018 I've competed in international contests — Fearless, ISPWP, Regard d'Auteur. I've had fine recognition there. But above all, I learned one thing: a competition, done right, makes you better.

There is no longer a high-level competition in France. The Exception Photographers stopped two years ago, and the adventure was not continued. And no French competition brings weddings and portraits together under one roof.

To create differently, a photographer needs strong references — a body of images to measure themselves against and draw from. Competitions made me progress because they forced me to push myself. I want to offer that lever, here, in France.

I've entered enough competitions to know their flaws.

The first: you can win with a back catalogue. A photographer who arrives with ten years of archives can sweep the titles three years running, become “photographer of the year” without leaving others a chance. That isn't creation, it's a catalogue.

The second: paying more to submit more. When the number of images depends on your wallet, it's no longer a competition, it's an auction.

Kissmefortytimes is built against that. Seasons, sessions, a limited number of images — every season starts on fresh ground. Here, we don't reward what you captured ten years ago. We reward what you create now.

Three things, simply: that you progress, that you are recognised — by your peers and by the public — and that this recognition makes you visible. Visibility earned through work, never bought.

I commit to two things. That Kissmefortytimes lasts as long as photographers are there to keep it alive. And that it evolves according to your wishes, not mine.

This competition isn't mine. It's yours — I only keep it standing.