Vincent Laforet (born 1975 in Switzerland) is a French-American photographer, director, and visual innovator based in Los Angeles. He first gained widespread recognition as a photojournalist, sharing the 2002 Pulitzer Prize for Feature Photography as part of a team covering the aftermath of the September 11 attacks. That early career grounded him in the discipline of capturing real-world drama under pressure, a sensibility he has carried into his later commercial and aerial work.

Laforet’s visual language is defined by technological daring and a cinematic sense of scale. He is perhaps best known for “Nocturne,” a series of aerial photographs of major cities at night, shot from helicopters. These images transform urban landscapes into abstract constellations of light and movement, elevating the familiar city grid into something otherworldly. His method combines long exposure, careful timing, and a pilot’s perspective, yielding photographs that feel both documentary and painterly. Unlike peers who worked primarily from the ground, Laforet’s aerial vantage point reorients the viewer’s relationship to space and geography.

Among his major bodies of work are “Nocturne” (published as a book in 2011), which solidified his reputation as a fine-art aerial photographer. He also created “Air,” a series of aerial photographs over diverse terrains, and has produced innovative commercial campaigns for brands such as Nike and Canon. In 2010, his experimental short film “Reverie” was shot on the Canon EOS 5D Mark II, making him an early adopter of DSLR video and a key figure in the hybrid still/motion movement. His later projects, including work with Apple, have continued to push the boundaries of capture technology.

Laforet’s influence extends beyond individual projects. He has been a prominent voice in the photography and filmmaking communities, advocating for the creative potential of new camera tools. His contributions were recognized with a DGA (Directors Guild of America) membership and multiple industry awards, including a Cannes Lion. He has also served as a mentor and educator through platforms like MZed, sharing his technical expertise and philosophical approach to imaging. His career trajectory—from conflict-zone journalism to high-end commercial directing to fine art—illustrates a restless search for new perspectives and ways to see the world.

For photobook collectors, Laforet’s publications offer a compelling intersection of technology and artistry. The “Nocturne” book, with its large-format plates and meticulous printing, captures the luminous quality of the original photographs, while the sequencing builds a visual narrative from city to city. Collectors interested in the boundaries between photograph and film, or in the evolution of aerial imagery, will find his books rewarding objects that document a pivotal moment in digital photography. As an entry point, “Nocturne” remains the definitive artifact of his aerial vision, balancing spectacle with a contemplative sense of place.

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