When we first started considering a cover image for Fausto number 001, the knee-jerk reaction would be someone like Tadej or Wout or some suffering or scenic image from a faraway place. It’s what the commercial magazines would do. And they’d chock it full of silly cover lines with “Best of” this or that. We said F-that. Instead, let’s put the most badass cyclist on the planet in the name of DEMI VOLLERING. And so we did. Here’s the story of the non-commissioned capture with the insanely talented professional photographer, ELOISE MAVIAN.
Can you tell us how and where you shot the amazing cover image of Demi Vollering
This photo was taken in Genoa on the morning of Milan–San Remo Women. As the FDJ-Suez bus arrived in the team parking, I got on it to take some pre-race shots of the girls getting ready. I’m used to taking photos on team buses, and Juliette Labous and Demi Vollering have known me well for many years, but this was my first time on the FDJ bus. As I entered, I said hello to all the girls, and they were very nice receiving me in. When Demi saw me, she greeted me with a big smile. For me, it’s very important as a photographer that the cyclists feel comfortable having me around—they know they can trust me and that I can tell their stories with respect. As they were getting ready, they were chatting, and I focused on Demi while she was arranging her hair, and that’s how the shot was taken
Demi seems to have this energy or charisma around her. You can almost feel it in the photo….
Yes, I agree Demi has an undeniable presence that just radiates. You can feel her energy behind her gaze. Her eyes are expressive; they reveal everything from joy to vulnerability. That’s why I love capturing close-up shots of her.
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