The Jeux du Commerce is one of those events that never ceases to amaze me. Every year, the excitement, creativity and energy that emanate from it remind me why it’s one of my favorite projects. For the 2024-2025 edition, I had the pleasure of once again providing the official photography for the delegations and the games. This year, the four student delegations – CCFSA, CCHEC, CCESG and CCUDS – stood out with visual concepts that pushed the boundaries of the ordinary.
Each delegation had its own signature: UDS with a spy theme, ESG played with the warm tones of a sunset, and FSA and HEC with editorial styles that explored mirror effects and motion blurs. Every concept was thought through, every detail aimed at highlighting the essence and uniqueness of each university, while thinking outside the box and reinventing the codes of university photography.
With 80 participants per delegation and photoshoot locations spread over three cities, the logistical challenge was considerable. This kind of mandate requires good organization, but above all a great ability to adapt. Each location offered its own challenges and opportunities, and each committee had its own expectations and ideas. My role was to weave all these elements together to deliver visuals that would leave a lasting impression.
All this work began this summer with the organizing committee. From the very beginning, it was clear that this year’s edition would stand out from the previous ones; the OC had high expectations, but was also ready to collaborate with us to achieve them! By choosing a shooting location like the Château Frontenac, taking on an art direction worthy of a magazine, developing 1 different concept per person and then managing all this in parallel with the shooting of their official video, they really pushed the limits of creativity and planning! It was our two-way collaboration with them that enabled us to complete everything in the time available.
Beyond the portraits and profile photos, it’s the whole atmosphere of the event that I was lucky enough to capture with my team. Those moments when the energy explodes: the shouts of victory, the tense glances during the tests, and the knowing looks that say it all without a word. That’s when the real magic happens.
Each photo had to reflect this unique vibe. With natural light, spontaneous angles and sometimes a few last-minute adjustments, every moment was an adventure in itself. Just 4 days after the event, we managed to deliver an impressive total of 5,100 photos!
The OC, who had already set the bar high in terms of media even before the competition began, delivered a simply incredible edition, extending their attention to detail to every aspect of this edition of the Trade Games. Admiring the result, one can only have enormous respect for the organizers. A big bravo to them, a huge thank you for their confidence, and a thousand thanks to all the volunteers who made this weekend such an unforgettable experience!
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