Internationally recognized photographer from Montpellier, Nath Sakura launched her photo studio 10 years ago. Based in Lavérune, it welcomes the big names in fashion. A column in partnership with ToulÉco Montpellier.
Nathalie Balsan-Duverneuil was born a boy in 1971 in Girona, Spain. Adopted at the age of four by a French couple, she obtained a doctorate in philosophy in Montpellier. At the end of her studies, it was by chance that she discovered the world of photography. “I urgently needed to find a job and I had a friend who worked at Radio France and he let me in through the back door.”. She then became a photo-reporter, going abroad to cover certain conflicts. After years in the journalistic environment for different groups, Nathalie chose an artist name: Nath Sakura and launched her own fashion photo studio, named B612 Studio in Lavérune, near Montpellier. “It’s a reference to the planet of the little prince. I was reading this book to my daughter and I came across this planet B612. I thought it was perfect, because like a photo studio, it’s a place for create dreams.
Since then, in its 800 m² premises, Nath Sakura has welcomed the big names in fashion and even singers.
Balenciaga, Gucci or Julien Dorée
At B612 studio, there are two large sets available for professional photographers. A wide range of equipment is available to brands. Balenciaga, Gucci, Zadig and Voltaire, but also eyewear brands for advertising rent the Nath-Sakura premises to create their future pub. Artists also came to shoot clips, Aya Nakamura, Julien Dorée for example.
Concerning her world, the Montpellier photographer defines herself as a cinematographer. “I create sets from scratch to capture an image. The goal is to create a complex graphic universe”. Nath Sakura photographs bodies from every angle, questions society about identity and gender. And there’s no question of talking to him about Photoshop. “I come from film, my job was to develop photos. Today, I never do any retouching. It’s all a matter of light and placement. We are magicians.” You can find much of his work on his website.
Today, Nath-Sakura is designing a third set in his studio in Lavérune. Dedicated solely to video, it will open in 2025.
