"You see a dead man": Legendary photographer Michel Haddi recalls working with Tupac

Michel Haddi's photography career is nothing short of remarkable. 

He has immortalised the faces of some of the most legendary figures of our time, including David Bowie, Aretha Franklin, Johnny Depp and Heath Ledger. His work has graced the pages of the most prestigious fashion magazines in the world, including Vogue and GQ. 

Born in Paris to an Algerian Muslim mother and a French soldier he never knew, Haddi climbed to the top of his field, and has spent over 30 years capturing intimate moments and the essence of all those he photographed.

This month, the international photography fair, Photo London, is featuring a collection of his captivating work, presented by 29 Arts In Progress. 

Among the highlights are some rare polaroids of Kate Moss that were recently discovered after being lost in storage in Venice Beach for 25 years. 

The exhibition will also include unconventional colour works by Italian master of fashion photography Gian Paolo Barbieri, large format Polaroids of ethereal women by the eclectic Italian Artist Toni Meneguzzo, and rare Polaroids of iconic ‘90s supermodels by British photographer Rankin.

Euronews Culture caught up with Haddi ahead of Photo London, which runs from 11 to 14 May at Somerset House. 

In this interview, we delve into some of the most exciting and memorable moments of his career, including his awe-inspiring first encounter with the late Tupac Shakur and the day he photographed the Red Hot Chilli Peppers breaking down the Berlin Wall. Haddi also shares his perspective on the intersection between martial arts and photography, as well as his insights on the potential impact of artificial intelligence on the art world. 

Euronews Culture: Can you recall your first encounter with Kate Moss?

Mich