This image is from Chaze’s series “Rock, Paper, Scissors” which began as a photo essay from French artist to his sons while they teetered on the edge of their childhood. Over a relatively short but intense period of time, the photographer created a poetic, intimate and at times cinematic body of work that culminated in a celebrated photobook of the same name. The project ultimately surpasses the boundaries of Chaze’s own family and becomes a universal tale about boyhood, fatherhood, nature and our place within it.

About Mathieu Chaze

Born in 1982 in Burgundy, France and now lives and works in the UK. After growing up in Lyon and studying law in France and in London, he started working first in Paris and then in London. During this time, he met his wife Amber and became the father of Edward and Hugo, now aged 11 and 10 respectively. A little under three years ago, he left behind his career in the City to dedicate himself fully to photography and to his family. He homeschooled his boys whilst working on his first photography book “Rock, Paper, Scissors”. The boys now back at school, Mathieu has turned his lens solely towards the landscape as he embarks on a project about the National Parks in the UK.
Sally Mann wrote about “Rock, Paper, Scissors” - “It’s beautifully done and those boys will treasure it, just as he hoped. Although, at the end he tells them not to take themselves (“ourselves”) too seriously, I’m not so sure I think that was the right advice. He took himself, and his passion, seriously enough, apparently, to quit his job and devote himself to making a mark, an artistic mark— he gave something truly meaningful to those kids and to anyone fortunate enough to see the book. Those boys I hope will be allowed to take themselves as seriously. They do have a good role model.”