A Conversation with Béatrice de Géa

© Béatrice de Géa

Béatrice de Géa's work came to my attention by way of The New York Times cover. I was deeply moved by an image taken by Beatrice in Tanzania of a family of women burying a still-born baby.
It was part of story & photo essay about Childbirth in Tanzania, which you can see by clicking here.
Béatrice depicts all aspects of life in her work and I was thrilled when Beatrice agreed to a conversation.


© Béatrice de Géa

NP: Tell us a little about yourself.

BDG: I was born in the French Alps and partially raised in the U.A.E. I studied Art and Fashion Design in Paris. I met my first love in an airplane flying to California and few months later told my father I wanted to go study in California. I moved to Los Angeles in 1994. My desire was to become a reporter, but fell in love with photography after my first class. It was my way of writing.


© Béatrice de Géa

NP: How did you discover photography?

BDG: By accident. I was under pressure to get a work permit so I had to quickly get my degree. I picked a photography class, remembering how much pleasure it was to use my mother's Foca camera when I was 13 to snap pictures of our family pets. I got an F on my first class. I didn't speak English well enough. The Depth of Field concept was first a grammatical mystery before a technical one. I met my mentor, a local photojournalist, when I was at school. He taught me a lot without telling me what to do...respecting my stubborn personality. I became very passionate about it, realizing I was really meant to do this. I felt constantly challenged and satisfied.



© Béatrice de Géa

NP: Where do you find inspiration?

BDG: In other people's culture and life. And the fantastic work of photojournalists around the world.


© Béatrice de Géa

NP: How do your projects come about?

BDG: I've been pretty spoiled. Working on staff at the Los Angeles Times for seven years took me to great places and great stories. Working in New York City as a freelancer is a completely different life. Thanks to Michele McNally and Patrick Witty of the New York Times, I got to do my latest project in Tanzania on maternal mortality. It was the assignment of my dreams. Very emotional. I will never forget it.



© Béatrice de Géa

NP: What’s next?
BDG: I just want to keep on trying to do my best telling great stories. I absolutely love working for newspapers, but I found myself eager to experience new avenues.

NP: Thank you so much!

To see more of Béatrice's work please visit: www.beadegea.com.