Hugues Lawson-Body is a Parisian-Togolese photographer and filmmaker whose unique perspective captures the diversity and beauty of Paris. Born in Lomé in 1977, he grew up in the 4th arrondissement of the French capital, where he was immersed from an early age in the vibrant rap and hip-hop scene of the 1990s. At just 17 years old, he began documenting the first icons of French rap—artists like MC Solaar and Booba—marking the start of a career shaped by passion and meaningful encounters.

Renowned for his authentic portraits, Hugues avoids clichés to offer an intimate vision of the City of Love—far from the stereotypical images often portrayed in the media. His work captures everyday Paris: its neighborhoods, its bold youth, and its people in their reality. As a fashion and documentary photographer, he has collaborated with brands like Levi’s, Colette, Patou, and with publications including GQ, Elle, Libération, and L’Équipe Magazine. But it is in light that he finds his true playground. In his portraits, light plays a central role, turning ordinary scenes into poetic and deeply human moments.

Alongside photography, Hugues has ventured into filmmaking, creating projects like Barber Show, which reflect his ability to explore meaningful subjects through visual storytelling. His sociological approach to image-making, shaped by his background and heritage, allows him to give voice to Paris’s many communities—often overlooked or misrepresented in mainstream media.

Hugues Lawson-Body is more than a photographer or filmmaker—he is a visual storyteller, a passionate observer of people and places. With a humanistic approach, he captures moments that resonate far beyond the lens, inviting viewers to rediscover Paris in a new light.