Karlie Kloss? Never heard of her.
Jourdan Dunn? Probably a basketball star.
Anja Rubik? The genius who invented the Rubik’s Cube.

That pretty much summed up my knowledge of models and top models back in 2008, when I was invited to shoot backstage at the Stella McCartney show.

For many photographers, knowing a model’s name is a definite advantage. But in my early days, not knowing them wasn’t much of a handicap. Simply because I possessed a talent that only a Frenchman could believe he has. I had the absurd conviction that I spoke perfect English—without an accent—and that everyone understood me, including my jokes. All because I had learned English in high school and had good grades.

Now, years later, I realize that if all the models took a liking to me, it was probably out of kindness—to spare me embarrassment and encourage me to keep practicing the language of Shakespeare and John Wayne.

Where the world—and most photographers—see models and beautiful faces, I have always seen little sisters to love for who they are and to protect. That’s why my photos of them reflect their souls when they look at me. Because we speak the same language—the language of humanity, generosity, and love.