Pierre François is a self-taught photographer interested in documentary, travel and street photography. His practice of photography is based on observation, on being led by a sense of curiosity and trying to make sense visually of what presents itself before the eyes. It is an exploration that is informed by the internal states of the photographer: in that sense, the images, while resulting from the observation of the world, also echo feelings, emotions and thoughts. The images may occasionally come with a touch of gentle irony. His practice consists in a non-judgemental observation as photographs are made from a position of respect and a certain empathy.

He is currently working on The Stage Within, a book project that combines photographs and short free-form texts. There is a dialogue between the text and the photograph. The words influence how one reads the photograph, the photograph in turn influences the meaning of the text. This becomes a conversation. The project looks at the inner life of human beings: absorbed in the drama on the stage within, we become oblivious of the world and we are hardly aware that our life is governed by the stories and tales that our mind tells itself.

Pierre François obtained a PhD in Law in 2009. He currently works as an freelance researcher and expert in the fields of international human rights law and media policy. His professional experience covers policy development and implementation in complex political environments and dealing with public authorities and private stakeholders (industry actors and civil society groups) on issues of internet and media policy, the preparation and delivery of expertise and training missions for international institutions, research and advocacy, the management of legal cases, communication, programme management and team management.

He is very sensitive to the safeguarding of the rights and safety of individuals, notably in the context of human rights research. In terms of sharing knowledge, he is particularly curious to explore how serious gaming and adult-based learning methodologies can reinforce the effectiveness of training.