Photographing the Kazakh Nomadic Peoples of Mongolia with Cécile André

Cécile André returns to Lomography Magazine with a poignant photographic documentary. Traveling to Mongolia to document the journey of Aïbota, a young Kazakh woman breaking traditional codes by becoming an eagle hunter, the French photographer conducted an immersive project exploring the role of women in nomadic societies and the transformations of an ancestral way of life.

In parallel with this major documentary project, she also captured more spontaneous images, free from narrative constraints, allowing for experimentation and intuition. With film provided by Lomography, she focused on capturing fragments of daily life: plays of shadow and light, textures, details, and faces encountered along the way. This side project, conceived as a visual travel journal, offers a sensitive and poetic perspective on her immersion in this distant territory.

Hello Cécile! How have you been since we last spoke?

Hello Lomo! I'm doing very well, thank you. I continue my travels and discoveries, accompanied by my cameras and your films.

You recently had the opportunity to undertake a wonderful photographic documentary project in Mongolia. How did you come up with the idea for this documentary? Why Mongolia?

In my personal work, I explore the question of the construction of feminine identity and its representation in our societies. This trip to Mongolia follows my discovery of the practice of eagle hunting, which was predominantly a male activity but is increasingly being taken up by women. This shift from men to women in this traditional society greatly inspired me, and I wanted to document this story to provide new models of representation and identification for women.

The series I am presenting to you today is my little travel journal; it contains memories of the places and people I encountered. You might find some clues in the photographs I selected for this article, but I will share this major project in the form of an exhibition.

How did you prepare for this trip and project?

This trip was a series of happy coincidences, messages sent on Instagram like messages in a bottle... and almost unexpected responses. This country welcomed me with open arms, and I simply went, with warm clothes, cereal bars, and a backpack borrowed from my friend Margaux. I practically left overnight, which kept me from asking too many questions. When everything aligns like that, you know it's where you're meant to go.

My trip went incredibly well. I remember a friend telling me, 'Nothing will go as planned,' and indeed, everything turned out even better than I could have imagined. I spent 10 days sharing the life of a Kazakh nomadic family living in the mountains... drinking yak milk tea and letting myself be soothed by the poetry of a language I didn't understand. My only connection to the world was my sensitivity and photography. The return was actually the hard part.

Can you share with us a special moment or memorable encounter from this trip?

My most memorable encounter was with the eagle hunter Aïbota, with whom I lived for 10 days. I'm used to putting a lot of energy into my projects, but I had never traveled 8,000 km to meet someone I wanted to photograph. Our first exchanges were very emotional, especially when she told me how she came to practice this discipline that had previously been reserved for men. We both started crying, and I even think I saw a few tears from my translator.

Traveling thousands of kilometers and realizing that we have common experiences as women is naturally very moving. I was so touched by her story – fighting to exist in a man's world – I know what that's like in my own profession as a photographer.

You were able to capture some memories on our Lomography Color Negative 35 mm ISO 100, ISO 400, and ISO 800 films. Which one did you prefer and why?

I preferred the Lomography Color Negative ISO 400 film because it has a wide sensitivity range. I love it because I can use it from the first rays of sunlight until sunset.

Do you have a favorite photo from this trip?

I really like the photograph of the little girl dancing; her name is Uljan, and she is Aïbota's little sister. We spent a lot of time together, and dancing was an incredible way to communicate with her.

Do you have any upcoming projects that you could share with us?

I hope to return to Mongolia this summer to continue my project and photograph Aïbota's life when they live in yurts. Also, if I go back, I will be able to participate in the migratory journey between the summer camp and the autumn house. The migratory journey is when the family moves from one place to another with all their animals. Throughout the year, they live between three homes: the autumn house, the winter house, and the spring house. In the summer, they return to a more traditional way of life in yurts.

Thank you to Cécile André for sharing an excerpt from her fabulous photographic documentary with us. Discover the rest of her projects on her website, her Instagram page, and at her upcoming exhibition!

2025-05-05 #gear #culture #people #travel #documentary #portraits #mongolia #colomigraphy-color-negative-film Share Article