CREATIVE PROFILE

The Power of Patience with
Lea Banchereau

CREATIVE PROFILE

The Power of Patience with
Lea Banchereau

NEW YORK, JANUARY 2021

‘In the darkroom, everything moves slower,
you have to be patient and pay attention to
every single detail.’

‘In the darkroom, everything moves slower, you have to be patient and pay attention to every single detail.’

How would you describe your cultural background?

I was born and raised in France and started doing photography when I was 16. I always focused on film photography. When I was 20, I moved to New York for school and now, I work as a freelance photographer.

Who, or what has most influenced you in life and your creative practice?

When I turned 16, my dad gave me his old film camera that he got when he was 16. I also started developing my photos and doing handprints and this practice influenced me a lot. In the darkroom, everything moves slower, you have to be patient and pay attention to every single detail. Everything you do has a direct impact on your end result.

How do you prepare the first thing(s) you drink in the morning and what are you generally thinking about?

The first thing I drink in the morning is coffee. There is something about my coffee ritual that brings me comfort. This is also when I have a glass of water with lemon and take any supplements as needed. I think of what I am excited for that particular day, and channel positive thoughts for the day.

‘I also believe in practicing to be patient. I am not
always the most patient person, but have found
myself practicing it more and more through my
daily rituals.’

‘I also believe in practicing to be patient. I am not always the most patient person, but have found myself practicing it more and more through my daily rituals.’

Are there any thought based methodologies that you consider to be tools for wellbeing?

Practicing gratitude and journaling are important tools for wellbeing for me. I also believe in practicing to be patient. I am not always the most patient person, but have found myself practicing it more and more through my daily rituals. From the patience you need to make coffee, to the patience you need to shoot film, it is a great tool to practice.

Do you have any habits that have become daily ceremonies?

Taking care of my skin by taking the time to nourish it became my daily ceremony. It is a sort of meditation for me.

How do you approach habit building?

I am very methodical with habit building. Every morning, I make a to do list as well as some journaling to have more clarity of mind. This helps me structure my day better. I am a bookworm, so I take the time to read every single day and enjoy being away from my phone in those moments.

‘Being mindful of small things in life that
bring us joy and really focusing on
positivity as best as we can.’

‘Being mindful of small things in life that bring us joy and really focusing on positivity as best as we can.’

What personal habit are you proudest of and what are you working on?

I am proud of my coffee ritual. I look forward to it every single day. It allows me to transition slowly into my workday. What I am still working on is incorporating more movement into my daily life.

And finally, what have you been thinking about more and more lately?

Lately, I’ve been thinking more and more about the importance of the little things. Being mindful of small things in life that bring us joy and really focusing on positivity as best as we can.

Photography by Lea Banchereau.

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