Over the course of several visits to Mali and Chad (between 2010 and 2018), motivated by the way they looked at the camera, I asked people who had become close to me through their work and daily lives, or those I had met more casually, whether they would be willing to let me take their portrait.

 

Refusals were very rare. Most of the women, men and children expressed amusement at their choice of posture, attitude and background, and pride at the reverse situation, with the photographer's studio coming to them with a real camera and not a Smartphone!

 

The people photographed, most of whom subsequently received a print of their portraits, welcomed it with pleasure and curiosity, and some asked for a digital version.

 

As a European, I have fond memories of the peaceful, confident, direct and gentle gazes of the people of the Sahel who agreed to be photographed.