Anthony Asael (born 1974 in Belgium) is a well recognized international photographer and one of the very few person who visited each one of the 192 countries of the world. He is of Turkish and Italian origin. He is also the founder of not-for-profit organization Art in All of Us.

You developed a passion for photography at a very tender age. What motivated you to pick up the camera and what was the first object you shot?
Indeed, when I was 7, I was already developing my own photos in my black and white lab. My first subject was already also “emotions”. I continue until today to shoot emotions. After traveling to 192 countries, I still think it is the most varied and lively of all subjects.

You are the founder of a very unique non-profit organization ‘Art in All of Us’, whose mission is to be the international platform of art exchanges among children from all countries of the world. Could you tell us a bit more about this interesting idea?
Art in All of Us (www.artinallofus.org) promotes tolerance and cultural exchanges using art and photography as the universal language. Through our interactive activities in schools, we stimulate the creativity and curiosity of the children.

Having traveled throughout the world and met different cultures, you now aim at “building more tolerance through artistic communication”, as stated in your biography. How do you plan to convert your dream into reality?
Dream is already reality. Since 2005, more than 55000 children are participating from each one of the 192 countries of the world. Everyday we have more schools interested to participate in our vision. Of course, we cannot change the world alone and, therefore, we build a strong network of partners and volunteers around the world. With the help of each one of them, we are realizing our dream step by step.

Your famous expositions like ‘Colors and Scents’ , ‘The 8 Millennium Goals’, ‘Children Rights’, ‘Know your World’ and the ‘Children World Art Tour’, to name a few, have received farfetched appreciation. Which has been your all time favourite and why?
Probably the last one, our Children World Art Tour in Brussels. It was an exhibition made by children and for children. Very few exhibitions are made for children and none are made by children themselves. Here, children gave us their views of the 192 countries of the world through photography, drawings and poems. It was all set up in a self created children’s world full of imagination and colors. It took us 2 years to produce this exhibition. You can see some images here:
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.456448955352.238604.21265925352&type=1

People like to talk about their 'lucky breaks' but I think it's more hard work and passion that leads to a breakthrough to becoming a professional photographer. When was your breakthrough?
It is just a matter of decision and priorities. There are a lot of amateur photographers who would like to travel and become professional. However, very few are ready to accept its consequences and, therefore, abandon very fast. I believe everybody can succeed, it is my rule of the 4 P’s: Passion, Patience, Practice and Perseverance.

I used to work also in the corporate world for more than 10 years. But one day, I decided to resign, sell the house, sell the car and just go for it with closed eyes but with a lot of dreams and passion.

“We cannot change the world alone and, therefore, we build a strong network of partners and volunteers around the world. With the help of each one of them, we are realizing our dream step by step.”

Clients (like UNICEF, Air France, Coca-Cola, Asian Development Bank, to name a few) from more than 30 countries take pride in your works. How has the journey been so far?
Lovely. Each client is different and it is extremely important to listen to them carefully. After that, you will need to surprise them and amaze them with your creativity. It is the secret of success, because there are everyday, more photographers around. If you cannot differentiate yourself, don't even think of starting a photography career.

Anthony, you have been honored by being invited by the UNICEF to exhibit in the UNICEF headquarters for the 20 years anniversary of the Children Rights Convention. Could you share the experience with us?
It was a very emotional moment. Art in All of Us was invited to exhibit at the UN in New York to share our work and the one of the children tens of thousands of people. The children and we were very proud to see this achievement after more than 5 years of hard work. Lucy Liu and Ann Veneman did the opening of the exhibition. The UNICEF was always amazed how we manage to travel and work in each one of the countries of the world. It was the occasion to showcase the 192 countries seen through the eyes of the children.

“There are pictures that always stay with you. Those are the ones with the deepest emotions in it and strongest stories behind them. Every time I look at them, I can smile with nostalgia of that particular moment.”

Other than photographing and running a NGO, you have also been an avid teacher, having taught photography to over 40,000 children in over 700 schools. How do you manage to balance so many things in life at the same time?
Running with passion ;-). But it is true, that sometimes, I do feel that I need a break or your body will collapse. I am lucky enough not to need much sleep and, therefore, can easily work 14-18hours a day for weeks or months. However, I decided that in 2012, I will slower the pace…. Or at least I will try….

Looking back at your works, which of your pictures creates the strongest impression on you?
Hard question. There are pictures that always stay with you. Those are the ones with the deepest emotions in it and strongest stories behind them. Every time I look at them, I can smile with nostalgia of that particular moment. However, my personal favorite pictures did not always have the expected success at the public and the other way around as well. Many pictures that I thought dull, had a great sales life. Everybody can look at an emotion differently. Look at my portfolio and you will see some of my personal favorites. I post also regularly on www.anthonyasael.com my favorites.

Could you kindly provide a word of advice to the budding photographers of today?
Follow my rules of the 4P’s: Passion, Practice, Perseverance and Patience.

	Quick8: Your Favourite Camera:  I don't have any. Lenses are much more important. My favourite one is Nikor 50mm 1,8. Your Favourite Printer: none Your Favourite Shoot: I love my photos from Madagascar and Sudan Your Preferred Location:  Madagascar (I will spend most of 2012 there) Favourite Photographer: Sebastiao Salgado, Sabine Weiss Most memorable story:  that would be long to tell ;-) Current photographers you like: Sebastiao Salgado, Sabine Weiss, Irina Werning Toughest day at work: key wording my pictures. It is so important doing it, but I really hate it.

More Photos by Anthony Aesal / Fotosocial

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