Charlotte Aeb - SIYU Presidium

After her studies, Charlotte travelled to Hong Kong, Taiwan, Hanoi, Hobart and Sydney, where she exhibited her photos in local galleries throughout her trip. On her return to Switzerland, she started her own business in Lausanne as an architectural photographer specialising in object photography. She also works as a camerawoman for various production companies in the region.

She has been co-president of SIYU since 2024 and is also involved in curating the Strates Gallery and on the board of APERTI. Her involvement in associations is testament to her desire to create connections between people and rethink the world through photography.

Why did you become a photographer? I discovered analogue photography when I was 12 years old. After my first courses, I felt an intense connection to this medium. Every Sunday I would go for a walk with my camera in my hand and lose myself in a world where every detail became a story that I could capture and share with others. As I grew older, my passion remained unbroken. My eye became sharper and sharper. Choosing photography as a career was a natural choice.

You are self-employed - what is your motivation? I became self-employed very quickly after my studies because I couldn't imagine working in an agency. Self-employment offers me valuable flexibility in the development of my projects and, above all, creative freedom. It's a challenging but incredibly rewarding adventure. And SIYU is also there to help young or not-so-young photographers get started.

Where do you see yourself and your work as a photographer in 10 years' time? In 10 years' time, I hope that my career as a photographer and my commitment to society will have helped to build a solid network for creative collaboration and support for photographers and artists beyond Switzerland's borders. I also see myself travelling the world, taking photographs and immersing myself in new cultures. I want to continue to exhibit internationally to share my vision and to keep moving, always looking for visual stories to tell.

You have been a member of the SIYU Board since June 2024. What attracted you to this position? I decided to take on this role because I firmly believe in the power of collaboration and support between photographers. As President of SIYU, I can be active in the professional community, advocate for the interests of photographers and contribute to the development of the industry. Working with Anja and Marion is also a great way to learn and exchange ideas.

What areas are you responsible for on the SIYU Executive Committee? Anja, Marion and I work closely together on the SIYU Executive Committee to unite the ideas of the three former associations. At the moment, the tasks are not yet fully defined, but one of my goals is to strengthen the links between the communities in French-speaking Switzerland, German-speaking Switzerland and Ticino in order to build a unified and united community of photographers. Although the language barrier can be a challenge, I am hopeful and motivated to build these bridges!

What have been the biggest challenges of the presidency so far? The biggest challenges of the presidency are dealing with the different opinions within the association. Working with people from different backgrounds is incredibly rewarding, but also requires a lot of listening, patience and flexibility. The aim is to create an environment where everyone feels heard and respected, even if they disagree. This is not always easy, but the chair does its best to listen.

Why is SIYU necessary? SIYU is essential to bring professional photographers together, defend their rights and promote their work. In a rapidly changing world where photography is often undervalued, it is essential to have a collective voice to sensitise the public, clients and decision-makers to the importance of our profession. SIYU also makes it possible to build a network of support and mutual aid among photographers, a crucial aspect for our profession, which can be quite lonely.