Interviews

Published on March 20th, 2016 | by Dr. Jerry Doby

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‘Life’s Little Things’ according to photographer Cendrine Marrouat

Cendrine LinkedIn profile copySeveral years ago, I had the good fortune to meet a brilliant person named Cendrine Marrouat, whose mastery of social media has garnered her quite a bit of attention internationally. At the time however, she was dabbling in the entertainment industry as a journalist but I also believe those pieces had social media case study written all over them! I had an opportunity to weigh in on one over her books on blogging, The Little Big eBook on Blogging: 40 Traffic Generation Tips. Cendrine was kind enough to quote my thoughts on her presentation, in the book, as well as on her Social Media Slant website.

Now, she’s published an outstanding photography book entitled, Life’s Little Things – Les petites choses de la vie which presents beautiful macros and depth of focus shots that simply take your breath away.

 

 

Background

Cendrine Marrouat is a social media blogger & trainer, content curator, French instructor, author, and photographer living in Canada. She is the founder of two blogs:

In 2015, Cendrine was recognized a Top 100 Business Blogger by BuzzHUMM. Social Media Slant also made Fit Small Business’ Best Small Business Blogs of 2015 list.

Cendrine contributes regular content for B2B News Network, and guest posts on several other blogs. She has authored two social media books:

  • The Little Big eBook on Blogging: 40 Traffic Generation Tips
  • The Little Big eBook on Social Media Audiences: Build Yours, Keep It, and Win, which was awarded a 2015 Small Business Book Award in the Social Media

Cendrine has self-published six collection of poetry as well as a spoken word CD. She is also the author of two photography books:

  • When the Mind Travels: A Poetic Journey into Photography
  • Life’s Little Things – Les petites choses de la vie (Released on March 23, 2016)

We caught up with Cendrine to talk a bit about the new book, her thoughts on what makes a great photo story, and what inspires her patience as she waits for the perfect moment to snap a shot.

From the outside looking in, aside from being one social media’s most highly respected subject matter experts, who is Cendrine Marrouat?

First of all, thank you very much for your kind words. I don’t think I deserve the compliment, though.

Who is Cendrine Marrouat? A Gen-X baby who was born and raised in France. From an early age, I knew I wanted to travel and teach. So far, I have achieved both and a lot more. I am a social media trainer and blogger, a content curator, and author. So far, I have released 10 books and a spoken word CD, and written two plays. 🙂

Last but not least, I am a photographer with a passion for nature, macros, the black-and-white format, and reminigrams.

Life’s Little Things – Les petites choses de la vie is your most recent in your series of  books of photography. Why so much passion for the visual realm?

Because pictures tell multi-layered stories. They capture emotions that words will never be able to express. They compel us to think.

On Creative Ramblings, your photography site, you explain what draws to you capture a particular picture…I believe you called them “moments.” Would you expand on that for us?

I approach photography in the same way as I write poetry. I look for this special moment when my eyes catch a silent, but fleeting story unfolding. It can be something as simple as a tiny icicle hanging from a branch.

Then, I feel compelled to capture the scene with my camera. But, the definite story is revealed during the editing process. Every photo must achieve two goals: simplicity and serenity.

You’ve also indicated photography has taught you “…to see the world in a different light.” Is that a technical description or something more visceral?

It’s definitely visceral. Whenever I look at things around me, my brain switches to storytelling. It’s as though I was on auto pilot.

What are some of YOUR favorite highlights of the book which releases this week?

Too many to count! However, I’ll tell you about two specific pictures: “Ariadne’s Thread” and “Droplets”.

When I took the former, I had one idea in mind: Reveal the thin connections between the natural elements. It is a reflection on the human condition and how it takes just a little openness of mind to connect the dots.

I took the second picture in my backyard right after a rain spell. It was an exercise in patience. The ground was muddy and the wind blowing. My tripod being too tall, I had to hand-held the camera. But, it’s one of those pictures I was compelled to take. It still blows my mind today.

I found your book When the Mind Travels: A Poetic Journey into Photography to be what I consider heavy lifting in the journalistic realm. An exhaustive collection of poems linked to striking visuals. What is the beginning of that creative process and what is the emotional journey like as you near completion of the project?

I honestly don’t know. The idea for that book came to me in a flash. It took me by surprise. But it felt so right that I knew it had to be done.

It was a magical moment, really, and it still fills me with an intense feeling of well-being.

Will we see any more specialty themed photo books from you in the future or will you continue your wide ranging presentations?

I want to continue releasing more specialty-themed photography books. Life’s Little Things – Les petites choses de la vie is the first volume in a series of homages to our beautiful world. I have been taking a lot of macros lately…

With all of your activities as a social media instructor and consultant as well as teaching French, you give to others constantly. Is photography your escape or way to decompress?

It’s both, actually. But it is also a way for me to share my love of life with others.

Technically, what will give us as beginning photogs, a good understanding of how we can get more out of our time behind the lens?

Educate yourself. Ask questions. Observe how the pros do it. And never stop practicing.

The gear you use is important, but not as important as your patience, open mindedness, and willingness to learn.

Knowing the basics of photography matters, of course, but not as much as the stories you seek to tell. You can achieve incredible results with a smartphone or a point-and-shoot camera.

I know what I’m talking about. In 2009, when I visited Syria with a group of friends, I had a basic Canon camera. I managed to take some shots that people still buy and compliment me on today. One of them is in my new photography book, actually.

What do you consider some key elements of conveying your thoughts and feelings with pictures?

I use colors to convey romanticism. The black-and-white format stands for timelessness. Finally, tinges of sepia help add depth.

Hailing originally from Toulouse, France and now residing in Canada, are there cultural differences that have perhaps expanded your photography presentations?

Cultural differences between countries are a given. There are too many to highlight. But I will say this.

I learnt to pay attention to the impermanence of things very soon after arriving in Canada. Things don’t last forever.

As a photographer, this awareness helps me keep my eyes opened and my mind ready to embrace the little things in life.

What’s next for Cendrine?

More photos and more books. Also, I will be in Europe this fall and plan to capture as many stories as possible.

Is there anything else you might want our readers to know about you and your love of photography?

I could talk about photography all day. But it won’t do any good unless you actually see my pictures for yourself. 🙂

Stay in tune with this amazing photog via her official photography website http://creativeramblings.com where Life’s Little Things – Les petites choses de la vie is available and you can also follow her on Twitter @CendrineMedia.


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About the Author

Editor-in-Chief of The Hype Magazine, Media and SEO Consultant, Journalist, Ph.D. and retired combat vet. 2023 recipient of The President's Lifetime Achievement Award. Partner at THM Media Group. Member of the U.S. Department of Arts and Culture, the United States Press Agency and ForbesBLK.


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