Willy Ronis, the son of Jewish immigrants from Eastern Europe, had dreamt of becoming a composer. Tragically, the early death of his father, who ran a photography store and portrait studio, meant he had to start working at a young age to support the family.
In 1936, tired of spending his days in the family store, he decided to take his camera into the streets of Paris and went on to create a body of work that continues to inspire and captivate.
Ronis unfairly lived in the shadow of Robert Doisneau and Henri Cartier Bresson for much of his life and did not receive the proper recognition until his twilight years. He is now considered by many to be the father of "Humanist Photography" His sensitivity and humanity can easily be seen in his masterful work.
“ ‘Photographing couples on the banks of the Seine in spring — what a cliché!’ But why deprive yourself of the pleasure?” Ronis wrote in his photo album. “Every time I encounter lovers, my camera smiles; let it do its job.”
