Poppy de Villeneuve - The Power of Authenticity in Visual Storytelling

A Childhood Rooted in Contrasts

Poppy’s creative journey began in a childhood defined by contrasts. She grew up straddling two worlds: the serene English countryside and the suburban energy of Shaker Heights, Ohio. Raised by two highly artistic parents. Her mother, US-born Jan De Villeneuve, is an iconic fashion model who has graced the pages of Vogue and Harpers Bazar, working with many iconic designers like Zandra Rhodes and has been photographed by the likes of David Bailey and Norman Parkinson. Her father, British-born  Justin de Villeneuve, was made famous for being Twiggy's manager in the mid-sixties. Her upbringing was steeped in creativity. “There were always art books around the house,” Poppy recalls. “I’d pick them up and see images of all kinds of people doing all kinds of things. That exposure shaped me—it was this constant reminder that you could be any kind of human you wanted to be.”

This duality of cultures—English reserve and American openness—left her feeling like she didn’t fully belong in either. But instead of perceiving this as a limitation, Poppy embraced it as a source of creative energy. “Not fitting in can be a gift,” she says. “It pushes you to explore and question, and that’s where a lot of my work comes from.”

The Epiphany of the Lens

Poppy’s foray into photography came during her art school years at Chelsea College of Art. One assignment focused on capturing the concept of “home” led her to pick up a camera for the first time. “It was immediate,” she says. “I realised that this was how I could express all those conversations I had in my head.” This revelation marked the beginning of her love affair with the camera.

Her early work drew inspiration from iconic creators like David Lynch and Richard Avedon. She admired Lynch’s ability to make the familiar feel unsettling and Avedon’s capacity to reveal the inner lives of his subjects through stark simplicity. “When I discovered Lynch, I felt like someone had put words and visuals to feelings I didn’t know how to articulate,” she explains. These influences, combined with her own instinctual understanding of visual language, shaped a photographic style that is both evocative and introspective.

A Leap into Filmmaking

While photography was her first love, Poppy always felt the pull of film. Her first foray into filmmaking came serendipitously while working on an assignment for The New York Times at Coachella. Armed with little more than a borrowed wristband and an idea, she shot candid moments of musicians and festival-goers, layering the footage with an unusual music choice. “It was simple but effective,” she recalls. “It captured the magic of the performers and the awe of the audience.” The short film debuted on the Times website and launched her filmmaking career.

From there, Poppy moved into commercial projects and documentary shorts, quickly making a name for herself with her ability to find emotional depth in every story. Campaigns for major brands like Ray-Ban followed, as did more documentary projects that aligned with her commitment to exploring untold stories. “I’ve always been drawn to people on the fringes,” she says. “I want to tell stories that make us see the humanity in people we might otherwise overlook.”

Women, Power, and Identity

For Poppy, much of her work is about unravelling the complexities of identity, particularly for women. “Women have often had to hide parts of themselves,” she observes. “I’m always curious about where they’re putting that and how it shows up in their work.” This exploration of authenticity is evident in her portraiture, which strikes a delicate balance between strength and vulnerability.

Her observations on power dynamics are nuanced, especially in how they shift between genders. “It’s not very fun when women try to emulate male power,” she says. “But when they’re female and powerful, that’s much more exciting.”

Poppy’s belief in embracing vulnerability extends beyond her subjects—it’s something she practices herself. “The more I lean into my own fears or insecurities, the more connected I feel to the people I photograph or film,” she says. It’s a philosophy rooted in her personal growth, which she describes as an ongoing process of surrender: “Letting go, even when things feel out of control, is where I find clarity.”

The Complexity of Stripping Away Assumptions

In her documentary Destiny on the Main Stage, Poppy examines the lives of four exotic dancers in America’s deeply religious Bible Belt. It’s a film about contradictions: women who perform in an industry are often seen as exploitative while navigating their own desires for agency, creativity, and survival. “I wanted to show their humanity without further exploiting them,” Poppy explains. “Their lives are so layered. They’re grappling with faith, societal judgment, and personal ambition.”

Instead of focusing solely on their work, Poppy’s lens captures them in quieter, everyday moments. “There’s a lot of noise about what it means to be a woman in this industry,” she says. “I wanted to strip that away and show the truth of their experiences.”

Redefining Success

For Poppy, the concept of success goes beyond accolades or financial achievements. “It’s about how you move through the world,” she says. “Success is raising a happy child, working with generosity, and putting good into the world. It’s about finding joy in the small things, like walking in nature or having a meaningful conversation.”

Her upcoming projects reflect this ethos. She is working on a photographic project with a Montreal-based choreographer, exploring the experiences of women in their 50s—from reclaiming their bodies to redefining eroticism and healing through movement. Another project examines the illusion of freedom in the 1960s, probing whether that era’s liberation was truly liberating for women.

Advice for Emerging Creatives

Poppy’s advice for aspiring photographers and filmmakers is rooted in her own journey: “Be brave,” she says. “Hold on to your perspective and trust that your unique voice is enough.” She also encourages young artists to embrace imperfection. “The things you’re ashamed of or insecure about are often the most interesting parts of you. Lean into those.”

She also emphasises the importance of sustainability in creative pursuits. “Have a side hustle,” she advises. “Don’t expect your art to pay your bills right away. Let it grow organically.”

Storytelling as a Catalyst for Change

Looking to the future, Poppy dreams of creating a series of documentaries that explore sustainability and alternative ways of living. “The planet is in trouble, but storytelling can help,” she says. “I want to find and share the stories of people who are making a positive impact and show how we can live differently.”

Conclusion

Poppy De Villeneuve’s work reminds us that the most powerful stories are often the ones that challenge us to see the world differently. Through her lens, she captures not just images but the essence of her subjects, inviting us to explore the vulnerabilities, contradictions, and truths that make us human. In a world saturated with noise, her commitment to authenticity and depth feels more vital than ever.

 

https://www.poppydevilleneuve.com/