Gregory Herpe - Photographer

Biography

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An Artistic Journey



I'm a French artist and photojournalist (Sopa Image agency, Hong Kong), with a rich and atypical artistic background.

I've worked as a journalist for various magazines in Europe, as well as an actor and theater director in Europe, and I've published several literary works

in France and Canada.
Today, I'm fulfilled by photography, and show my work worldwide.
Born in Paris in 1969, I am the nephew of painter Pierre-Jacques Catoni.
I now live in Paris after having lived in several countries (Belgium, The Netherlands, Spain, Africa...).

A look at humanity and the world 



My work reflects my curiosity towards humanity and the world and is dedicated to marginalized people and fragile ecosystems. I strive to shed light on society’s hidden realities, taking a sensitive approach to issues of human rights and ecological impact. From Europe to Asia, and across Africa, I have documented poignant stories and lives on the margins, prompting reflection on our humanity and collective responsibility toward others and the planet.

Among my subjects are vulnerable communities and minorities seeking recognition. In Cambodia, I photographed young girls saved from human trafficking and child prostitution, thanks to the efforts of local NGOs. Through this work, I wanted to honor the resilience of these young women as they rebuild their lives despite immense challenges. In Africa, I focused on endangered species, including lions and gorillas, threatened by deforestation, poaching, and the expansion of human activities. My commitment to these at-risk animals aims to highlight the urgency of ecological conservation and the need for a sustainable balance between humans and their environment.

I also delve into identity struggles in Europe, as seen in my series on drag queens. This project, carried out in multiple European countries, explores the diversity and richness of a community fighting for its right to exist and express itself freely, despite social and political obstacles. I document the struggle for the rights and freedoms of drag queens, revealing their resilience in the face of ongoing discrimination and pressures, which vary significantly from one European country to another. My approach is both artistic and social: through portraits and interviews, I present their life experiences, highlighting their challenges but also their hopes and pride.

Human conflicts and crises are central themes in my work as well. In Northern Ireland, I photographed IRA fighters, capturing the scars left by decades of political struggle. In Lebanon, I documented the lives of Christian families in extreme poverty, suffering in silence in a country torn apart by war and religious divisions. Recently, I have worked in conflict zones like Nagorno-Karabakh, where the displacement of populations and the suffering caused by conflict deserve a visual voice for an international audience.

Engaged with numerous NGOs, I often collaborate with them in Europe & Asia, using my art to serve causes that are close to my heart. I taught photography to Ukrainian war orphans taking refuge in Moldova, alongside Moldovan social orphans, and held joint exhibitions featuring their photos and my own. My photographic approach serves both as a tool for witness and an act of solidarity, aiming to raise awareness of injustices. My work seeks to question, move, and provoke reflections on our place in the world and our responsibility in the face of human suffering and the fragility of biodiversity.

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I have also immortalized personalities from the world of rock and cinema such as David Bowie, Nina Hagen, Iggy Pop, Deep Purple, Gérard Depardieu, Patti Smith, Beth Dito, Bjork, Fatboy Slim, Kylie Minogue, Sofia Coppola, Omar Sharif, Jacques Dutronc, Salif Keita, Orelsan, Blanca Li, Joeystarr, Ayo, Martin Solveig, Benjamin Biolay, Jean-Paul Rouve, Emilie Dequenne, Pio Marmaï, Anaïs Demoustier, Julien Clerc, Coeur de Pirate, Redfoo, Bror Gunnar Jansson, Izia Higelin,

Pony Pony Run Run, Roberto Alagna, BB Brunes, Damien Saez, Olivia Ruiz, Michael Gregorio, Danakil, Tal, Diam's, etc.

And even Pope Francis!

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Regardless of the subject of my photographs, 
I attach great importance to delivering a unique vision of the modern world, always centered around a perspective, a message, and an emotion. 


An international reach


I have exhibited my photographic works in various venues, including the European Parliament, as well as numerous museums and galleries across Europe

(Paris, Berlin, Munich, Amsterdam, Barcelona, Zurich, Brussels, Athens, Glasgow, Bristol, Porto, etc.), in the United States (Boston, San Diego), South Korea, Panama, India, Nigeria, Iran, and more.

My work has received awards in New York, Moscow, Barcelona, as well as in France, the Netherlands, Italy, Luxembourg, Portugal, and more.


I am also a  lecturer on photojournalism and the IRA.

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And also:

I was a journalist for various media (NRJ, Fun Radio and Fun TV, in Paris, RTL / TVI in Brussels), and for various magazines.

Pupil of Francis Huster at the Cours Florent (famous theater school in Paris), with my friends Jean-Paul Rouve, Edouard Baer, ​​Jeanne Balibar, Valérie Bonneton,

and Eric Ruf (current director of the Comédie Française), and I was an actor and director.