michele aoun: shamelessly chasing beirut

michele aoun (@shamlesslights) is a filmmaker turned photographer whose lens captures beirut like you’ve never seen it before. this raw approach can only be translated when you’ve lived in a city, breathed it, and have had a complicated relationship with it. aoun enjoys por traying reality as it is, unfiltered. she finds value in highlighting the mundane and the unconventional alongside moments of beauty and quirkiness. it is all very representative of her paradoxical, yet beloved, home country, lebanon.

interview by philippe ghabayen

tell me a little bit about yourself, your journey into photography, your career path...

i was born and raised in lebanon. i always felt a pull towards the arts. from a young age, i knew my future would involve either acting, dancing, film or architecture. i ultimately chose film. at 18, i found myself working in a prestigious nightclub in beirut, eventually, becoming the door woman over the next three years. this experience allowed me to immerse myself in observing people during nighttime, witnessing how their behaviors shifted. during my university days, where i indulged in watching numerous films, i found myself drawn to the visual aspects more than anything else. little did i realize that this fascination would evolve into a profound passion for photography.

alongside my studies, i explored various jobs but i felt a sense of unfulfillment. it wasn't until 2017, when i made the decision to pursue photography full-time that i found my true “calling”.

through your work, you depict a country going through the motions, from an economic collapse to an unexpected economic surge, while some things remain the same. how do you navigate the changes, and what are the constants for you?

life is defined by movement. energy is moving, time is moving and so does life itself. i have come to realize that no matter the challenge, whether it is mental, emotional or physical, the fundamental question to ask is: how can i move through this? movement has taught me that all can be overcomed. it gives me the strength to keep moving forward.

what’s your idea of a perfect, dream-like day in beirut?

i start my day at around 7:30 am by hitting the gym, followed by a refreshing jog along the corniche. afterwards, i like to stop somewhere for coffee. exploring different neighborhoods often leads to delightful surprises, whether it’s stumbling upon unique buildings and shops or simply trying something new and striking up conversations with strangers. later in the day, i enjoy a satisfying meal at “mum & i”, and take time to read something that broadens my perspective. later in the evening, i watch a movie or have a drink to loosen up. finally, i prioritize a good night's sleep by going to bed early.

through your work, you immortalize many iconic institutions. is this intentional? what is so important about those specific places? can you give us examples?

i believe certain places become iconic for a reason. they exude a unique energy that i am sensitive to. it is not just about their aesthetics. there’s a distinct sensation they evoke for me. when i see old photos of beirut, i often feel like i should have been born in that era. the sporting club beach, torino express, hotel palmyra, and atcl are great examples.

our generation has a deep love for our city, and although the country is going through a rough period, we keep showcasing its most beautiful aspects. how do you manage to find beauty in all this chaos?

i believe that we often deny reality and unconsciously resist the present by attempting to perceive things differently, perhaps it is a coping mechanism. as an observer, i strive to accept reality as it unfolds. through observing various situations, i continuously learn. despite the challenging times, life continues amidst the chaos. whether it is beauty or simply life as i perceive it, i am uncertain, but it’s an ongoing journey of understanding.

what inspires you as a photographer and as a woman?

everyday life and the neglected aspects of things.

as an explorer and a traveler, tell us about the most beautiful places you’ve been to. describe a moment from your memory of those places.

there’s nothing more powerful than the feeling of discovering a place for the very first time. for me, the lebanese mountains, especially the qadisha valley, hold that magic. i first visited when i was 8 years old, and i was mesmerized. even now, whenever i return, i feel a deep sense of peace. it’s an unparalleled feeling!

smartphones and social media, notably instagram, offered a platform for everyone to take beautiful images and share their vision with the world. in our day and age, what do you think is the role of classical photography training?

i believe all art from the past remains valuable and highly informative. personally, i find joy in the meticulous process of film photography, there is a beauty in earning every shot through effort and time. i think old photography was admired for the craft, not the content. this is largely because it was difficult. the essential skill for a good photographer is the ability to see, not just look. everything else comes second. innovation alone doesn’t deepen human sensibility.

infamous street photographer vivian maier spent her entire life practicing street photography, but never shared the images. to this day, no one knows the reason behind this decision. how much of your work do you share online? and does the audience’s reaction influence your creation?

instagram is surely a place for inspiration, much like tumblr was in the past. i use it more as a personal diary than for seeking likes or comments. though insightful comments sometimes open my eyes to new perspectives. i have numerous images that i keep to myself and i am not sure why i don’t share them.

artists that inspire you (across all disciplines):

irving penn, le corbusier, daido moriyama, michelangelo antonioni, andrei tarkovsky, jean michel basquiat, joan didion, sophie calle, khalil khoury, and georges wassouf.