Goalkeeper turned photographer. It's not something you expect as a career path now is it. Well, Chaz bucks that trend with photography of a journalistic style which makes the imagery captured look effortless, when it's anything but.
Growing up a stone's throw from the Parc des Princes, Chaz dreamt of one thing – becoming a footballer. Now 32 and having passed through the ranks of Rennes and Le Havre AC as a goalkeeper, the pursuit of artistic excellence through photography is now the goal.
We caught up with the Parisian photographer who has one many admirers for the journal like imagery generated, through a love of the game, fashion and travel.
Cult Kits: First things first, who do you support?
Chaz: I have always supported Paris SG, I grew up in the Parisian suburbs and in particular in Boulogne - Billancourt, a few kilometres from the Parc des Princes, my father took me to watch the matches. It is natural that this club came into my heart.
Shop the PSG collection here.
Cult Kits: What's your earliest footballing memory?
Chaz: My first real memory of football was during Euro 2000, first of all because France won this Euro at the end of an incredible final with a golden goal from David Trezeguet but the team which had a real impact on me is that of the Netherlands a team with incredible players (Kluivert, Bergkamp, Davids, Seedorf, overmars, De Boer..) following this euro I decided to become a goalkeeper because fascinated by Edwin van Der Sar…
Cult Kits: What got you in to photography?
Chaz: FOOTBALL! I am a goalkeeper coach at the Paris Alesia FC club and the club manager is a photographer, it was through him that I discovered photography.
Cult Kits: What best describes your style of photography?
Chaz: Cruijff said: “Playing football is very simple but playing simple football is the most difficult thing there is.” The purity of simplicity is something that I try to apply in my art.
Cult Kits: Do you have any artists/photographers that inspire you?
Chaz: There is a collective of photographers "FOOTBALL CASE STUDY" which inspires me enormously I find myself in what they do and Zidane who for me is a source of inspiration he sublimated simple things when he played his way of controlling the ball, his handling of the ball, his gestures… It was sublime!
Cult Kits: Do you have any exciting projects in the pipeline?
Chaz: I am working on a documentary with a friend on the perception of the goalkeeper position, highlighting the outstanding athletes who are too often in the shadows, who are asked to be good with their feet, with their hands, know when to jump high, dive, steer…
Cult Kits: We can't wait to see this! Not enough is done on goalkeepers in our opinion. If you could photograph anyone, who would it be?
Chaz: Dennis Bergkamp – he had an intriguing cold side, it's not for nothing that he was called "ice man" I never saw him smile.
Cult Kits: Do you have a favourite football shirt?
Chaz: PSG and has to be the 94/95.
Cult Kits: ... A fine choice, such a cult classic that one. One last question – When are we going to work together?
Chaz: Whenever you want with pleasure! I really love what you do!
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See more of the work, here.