Chloe Meynier: www.chloemeynier.com
Instructor and Alumni: Chloe Meynier
BY: Justyne Gurley
Every instructor at the Academy of Art University’s School of Photography is incredibly successful and talented. Each of them has an extensive background and a wealth of knowledge. Many have learned from the best schools including the Academy. Chloe Meynier, an alumni of the department, is currently teaching “Portfolio: Print & Presentation”, “Photography Concepts”, “Imaging Workflow & Process”, and French. She is also currently one of the members of the graduate midpoint and final review committee. Having been a student, and now an instructor, we sat down with Meynier to ask about her work.
Originally from southwestern France, Chloe comes from a background full of many skills and talents. She first obtained a bachelors in Sports Education. However, she found that it didn’t fit what she was looking for and decided to complete a Master and PhD in Cognitive Psychology and Neuroscience. After getting her PhD Meynier eventually made her way to UC Berkley and worked as a researcher for a year. This led her to the School of Photography. Meynier said that through her time learning about science, she realized it wasn’t her passion, and her hobby as a photographer had shown to be her true interest. Meynier worked on her project, “Abandoned Dreams” while attending the Academy, and continues to work on her project: “Made in the Shade”.
From: “ABANDONED DREAMS“
Meynier said that during her time studying at UC Berkley she taught undergrad students, which led to a general understanding of education. She is able to relate to her students, especially those without a background in photography as that is how she started out as well. Meynier implements a lot of these personal experiences in her teaching.
Chloe Meynier has also won several awards, many in just the past year. She won second place in the Budapest Foto Awards and third place for APA’s “Something Personal”. She also won "Gold" in Fine Art and "Silver" in Self-portrait at PX3 Prix de la Photographie Paris (The Paris Photography Prize). When asked why she continues to enter these contests, even after becoming an instructor, she explained that it was because of the feedback she could receive from them. There was only so much feedback she could get from peers after graduating, so she looked outside to receive critique on her work. For Meynier, it is a source of motivation and helps to validate the work that she does.
From “MADE IN THE SHADE”
During the shelter-in-place, Meynier has had to adapt her teaching skills and approach things in a different way: virtually. She actually said that she feels that this form of teaching is much simpler for her, and that she is able to communicate and stay in touch with her students much more easily. Meynier is able to respond quicker as her home and work space are now the same.
During this time Meynier has also been working on her personal projects. Although she has had to cancel a couple of shoots due to the current shelter-in-place situation, she has made the most of it by using this time to plan for her next project. The majority of the time spent on her work is in research: ordering costumes, deciding a narrative, and gathering props. As a fun, side project, Meynier has also been going out on the streets of San Francisco and shooting how absurdly empty they are-- documenting this unprecedented time in her spare time. These photos are simply for her own pleasure and to share with students, family, and friends.
Meynier implores our students to adapt during these times. To take advantage of the limited resources and space. It is an “opportunity for a new outlook,” as Meynier concludes.
