User:Zakaryy

The French international Photographer Zakary BELAMY http://www.ZakaryBelamy.com is renowned amongst performers and celebrities in Europe, in the USA and most recently in Asia. Since 1999, his artistic endeavors have been devoted to the world of artists, performers, portrait and beauty worldwide.

Zakary grew up in France and Algeria (North Africa) and has since then been deeply influenced by both cultures. The richness and the tribulations of this experience and his adventurous childhood inspire his creativity and strengthen his character.

Zakary and photography crossed path accidentally when he found a camera in an industrial area in 1991. His passion and interests towards photography and art grew since this encounter. As a self-taught photographer and a fanatical cinema lover, Zakary’s aesthetic sense is deeply inspired by great filmmakers such as James Cameron, Hayao Miyazaki, Paul Verhoven, John Woo, Alex de la Iglesia, John McTiernan, Mamoru Oshii, Tim Burton, Peter Jackson. They have taught him how to understand the geometries, framing, lighting, faces, acting, shadow, colors, mise-en-scene, special effects and the use of space.

Zakary embraces different styles, techniques, and technologies in his work. Every piece of work is uniquely created, mixing magically humour, sarcasm, glamour, cynicism and timelessness.

Zakary was formerly a computer engineer with a deep love and passion for both photography and magic. Having to make a choice between his living and passions, Zakary took the road less traveled and became a performer’s photographer. He is fascinated by the power and the endless possibilities of images to cross the world with his lenses and studio flashes.

Zakary’s work was revealed to the world of magicians in 2006. He presented his photo exhibitions during the “World Championships of Magic” in Stockholm in 2006 – a first premiere since the event began in 1948. His exhibition was a sensation and huge success. Zakary’s work quickly established reputation and the magicians from all over the world recognized and were amazed by the mastery of his work. He has also exhibited in Eastbourne/UK 2007, in Paris and France from 2005 to 2009, in Beijing 2009, Busan/South Korea 2010, Taipei/Taiwan 2010, in Blackpool/UK 2011 and Saint-Vincent/Italy 2011. Zakary’s photos have been published in more than 60 publications including dozens of covers in the last 4 years in the US, England, China, Belgium, France and Germany.

Since September 2005 Zakary undertook a monumental personal project: to photograph the "World’s Greatest Magicians" from Tokyo to Montreal, Hollywood to Las Vegas, Paris, Berlin, Rome, London, Beijing, Hong-Kong, New-York, Amsterdam, Athens, Taipei, Seoul and many other European cities. Zakary has devoted all his energy and visited the living legends and highlighted a few up-and-coming faces of the younger generation.

Since June 2011, he lives in Taipei, capital of Taiwan, shooting Asian celebrities, fashion & beauty, artists and performers.