Eric, a French native, embarked on his journey into fine art nude photography in 1990, when life led him to Germany for professional reasons. Among his earliest discoveries was Fotoheft, a magazine that became his gateway into the world of artistic expression. It was there he found an ad placed by Kerstine, a celebrated amateur model in Southern Germany at the time. Their collaborations throughout the ’90s became a masterclass in the art of nude photography, teaching Eric not just technique but the delicate craft of connection with his models.

The black-and-white image featured here captures a moment from 2012, when fate reunited them.

During this formative period of learning by doing, Eric immersed himself in the works of renowned artists like Helmut Newton and Jeanloup Sieff, whose influence subtly shaped his early style. His journey toward defining his own artistic voice began in earnest when he collaborated with two esteemed photographers: Arboulan in Germany and Zseni Jung in Hungary.

With Arboulan, Eric learned the essence of high-quality fine art nude photography. Arboulan introduced him to the three essential phases of creating a compelling image: building a concept, perfecting the lighting, and capturing the envisioned shot – a picture formed in the mind before the shutter is ever released. From Arboulan, Eric also learned the importance of discipline and efficiency in the studio, lessons that continue to influence his work today.

In 2004, seeking to deepen his craft, Eric attended a transformative workshop on artistic nudes in Sebesvíz, Hungary – a week-long immersion that he calls the best of its kind. For years, he returned annually to Hungarian locations, surrounded by a dynamic mix of amateur and professional photographers. Zseni Jung, who led many of these workshops, has been Eric’s most profound influence, shaping his perspective and practice in ways that still resonate.

Eric launched his VenusOnEarth project in 2004, inspired by his first workshop experience in Sebesvíz. This marked a pivotal moment in his journey, leading him to design his own website, join photography communities, and collaborate with some of Europe’s most talented amateur models.

Exploring the works of his peers online, Eric found himself both captivated and intimidated by their extraordinary standards. For a time, doubt clouded his vision, and he considered abandoning the project.

Yet resilience prevailed. A year later, he returned to Hungary for a workshop at the Andrássy Castle in Tiszadob. There, surrounded by the castle’s creative energy, Eric pushed his artistry to new heights, solidifying his commitment to his craft and the project that continues to shape his legacy.

Eric’s early ambition was to have his work featured in the French magazine PHOTO, which organizes one of the world’s largest photography contests. In January 2007, he achieved this goal and has since been published nine times in its pages. His artistry also caught the attention of the German magazine VIEW, whose jury selected many of his online works, including one that made it into their print edition.

Among Eric’s most cherished accolades is his recognition by the Trierenberg Super Circuit, one of the world’s most renowned photography competitions. His pictures were selected many times for inclusion, with some earning spots in their luxury and limited-edition publications—a testament to his dedication to the craft.

Eric has also shared his vision through several exhibitions. His exhibitions in Sopot, Poland (Solo), Hungary (Group, solo) and most recently in Paris (Group) stand as milestones in his career, celebrating his passion for fine art photography.

Over six years, Eric’s primary focus was an ambitious project: a portfolio of nudes and portraits featuring the German amateur model Julia. Together, they completed an unparalleled 42 photo shoots, a record in his artistic journey. Their sustained creative connection created a space in which Eric could refine his technique and develop his style — a foundation for the work that would follow in the coming years.

Since working with Julia, Eric has prioritized repeated collaborations to build strong creative bonds. Aleksa, Amber, and most recently Dorka have each acted as inspiring muses – shaping the direction of shoots, contributing ideas, and bringing their talent and experience to the creative process. These ongoing partnerships allow him to explore new concepts and visual narratives while honoring the presence and personality of each muse.

Eric now concentrates on select collaborations with models who inspire depth and authenticity, creating space for experimentation and artistic growth. Having previously explored the realm of tasteful eroticism, his work now seeks to transcend conventional notions of beauty and seduction, portraying the female form as an expression of emotion, resilience or fragility, and individuality. Increasingly, he develops his vision through series that weave subtle narratives, inviting viewers to discover the stories that unfold across his images.

From a lighting and creative perspective, he continues to be coached by Sándor Benkö, a renowned Hungarian artist and lecturer, with whom he collaborates regularly. These efforts have paid off, as reflected in the growing recognition showcased in the Awards section.

The best way to describe Eric’s passion is a quote from Richard Avedon he recently read at an exhibition in Palermo, Sicily: “If a day goes by without my doing something related to photography, it’s as though I’ve neglected something essential to my existence, as though I had forgotten to wake up“.