TITLE: The girl from the barn

Dorka, a talented amateur model based in Budapest, and I spent a week in Croatia in the summer of 2023. After finding an old barn in a lost place, we decided to create a story about a young girl who seems to be on her own. A stranger sees her by chance, and her attitude changes as the story unfolds. At first, she's suspicious after opening the barn door and wonders who wants to talk to her. In the second part, she's uncertain and doesn't know how to react to the stranger. She then becomes more seductive, feeling more sure of herself, and tries to seduce the stranger. In the fourth part, she is self-confident and fully aware of her beauty. In the end, she is seductive, and the stranger is fascinated by her mysterious, bewitching beauty.

AUTHOR: Eric Brunelle (Germany)

Eric is a French amateur photographer, widely regarded as a photo artist, a distinction affirmed by numerous international awards and several solo and group exhibitions. His journey has evolved from capturing single artistic nudes to creating storytelling series. Through these series, Eric seeks to transcend conventional eroticism, exploring new dimensions of the female form. While much of his work was initially studio-based, he now embraces outdoor settings, broadening his creative horizons. His work is primarily created in Germany, where he resides, as well as in Hungary and Croatia.

At the heart of Eric’s artistic practice is Venusonearth, his long-term project for over two decades. This project encompasses his website, social media presence, and his participation in prestigious international contests. Among his many achievements are nine prints featured in PHOTO (France), one in VIEW (Germany), and several in Dodho (Spain). His work has also been published in Trierenberg Super Circuit books and in catalogues from various renowned photo contests. A pivotal moment in his journey was his solo exhibition in Miskolc, Hungary, in 2012. More recently, he was selected for the group exhibition Corporeality in Paris (2024). Recent accolades include third place at Monovisions 2023 and gold and silver awards at the Muse Photography Awards. He has also received numerous honorable mentions at the Monochrome Awards, ND Awards, TIFA, and Chromatic Awards, alongside multiple gold medals in PSA-sponsored competitions. Eric was nominated twice for the Fine Art Photography Awards (FAPA).

Eric’s growth as an artist has been shaped by the guidance of three key mentors. In the late 1990s, Arboulan, a German artist, refined both his technical and creative skills. In 2004, Eric began working with Hungarian artist Szeni Jung, whose influence is evident in the dreamlike quality that characterizes some of his ethereal works. More recently, Sandor Benkoe, another Hungarian artist, has played a significant role in enhancing Eric’s understanding of lighting and in guiding his academic approach to photography.

At the core of Eric’s creative process are the muses who inspire him. Unlike many photographers who work with models only once, Eric strives to build enduring, collaborative relationships with his muses, fostering a deep sense of mutual inspiration. In recent years, Dorka, Aleksa, and Amber have been integral to his artistic evolution. Their presence and energy have sparked some of his most innovative and emotionally resonant pictures and series.

Eric’s passion for photography is summed up in a quote by Richard Avedon: “If a day goes by without my doing something related to photography, it’s as though I’ve neglected something essential to my existence, as though I had forgotten to wake up.” This philosophy drives him to continually seek new ideas and ways of telling stories through series of pictures that celebrate the beauty and complexity of the female form. His work remains a testament to his unwavering dedication to the art of photography and his pursuit of pictures that resonate deeply with viewers.