Alex "Très Cool" Dobé

“Once you’ve learned how a camera works, it’s all about you being passionate about it and shooting everything that inspires you in any way.”

Intercru: Where are you from?

Alex: I was born and raised in Paris but my parents are from Ivory Coast.

Where do you live and work now?

I live in Paris but travel around for work especially during Fashion Week (back when Covid was not a thing haha)

Have you always wanted to be a photographer? How did you get started?

Not at all haha, I wanted to be a journalist. I fell into photography quite randomly actually. I was at my cousin’s friend’s birthday and the girl asked me to take a group photo and when I did, I instantly liked it. I bought my first camera a week after that.

Where do you find creative inspiration for your work?

For me it comes from my fellow photographer friends (@jowkid, @lebougmelo, @frenchaesthete, @goldiewilliams_ and @marc_henri_ngandu) and photographers that I follow on Instagram.

These days I have a big fascination for Asian photographers such as Cho Gi Seok, Zhong Lin or Leslie Zhang. They’re at a level in which they do art.

I’d also just type “best movie shots” on Youtube and watch tons of videos about it haha.

What’s the hardest part about photography?

I don’t feel like there’s anything difficult about it to be completely honest. Once you’ve learned how a camera works, it’s all about you being passionate about it and shooting everything that inspires you in any way.

How would you define the “perfect” photo?

That’s a tough question. To me a “perfect” photo is not necessarily one with perfect framing or perfect lighting, it’s all about what it makes you feel when you look at it the first time.

We’re getting so much information and images thrown at us, that I feel like it’s difficult to take the time to appreciate photos. So I feel like if someone looks at one of my pictures and is like, “Oh wow, wait a minute,” it’s quite a win already.

In 3 words, how would you describe your work overall?

I’d say personal, spontaneous, and evolving.

Can you tell us about your nickname? How’d you get it?

Haha, it’s pretty much self-proclaimed. It’s my most Kanye move to this day.

What motivates you everyday?

I’m quite a positive person so it’s easy for me, like I know how lucky I am to have my passion as a job so I’m really grateful for it.

What is your proudest accomplishment?

I was asked this question recently, I thought about it, and I don’t think I have a big accomplishment yet. Or I’d say the fact that I came to where I am today. I didn’t go to photography school or anything, which makes me really proud of myself.