Breton Guy Le Querrec, born May 12th, 1941 in Paris, began to take photographs at the age of 14. He bought his first Leica IIIG from the salary he had earned working at an insurance company. At the age of 26, he took his first step to become a professional photographer, having been hired by Paris-based advertising agency Atelier 3. From 1969, he regularly travelled francophone sub-Saharan Africa and the Maghrib for the periodical Jeune Afrique.
1971 saw Le Querrec join the Vu agency. He co-founded the Viva agency the following year but he would leave Viva in 1975. At that time, he produced series such as “Families in France” (1973), “Portugal and the Carnation Revolution” (1974-75) and “The French on Holidays” (1976).
Le Querrec joined Magnum Photos in 1976 and was elected as a full member in 1977. His ensuing contributions included “Parisian Concert Mayol” (1979) and “On the Trail to Wounded Knee: The Big Foot Memorial Ride” (1990) as well as long-term engagements in China (1984-1989) and in countries throughout Africa (1984-1998).
Multiple visits at the Elysée Palace between 1977 and 1985, which took place in cooperation with sculptor Daniel Druet, resulted in late former French president Mitterand being portrayed by Le Querrec. One shot originating from this portrait sitting was included in the 1999 selection “The 100 most important photos of the century” and Le Querrec was awarded the Grand Prix de la Ville de Paris.
Music, particularly Jazz, is one of the artist’s main sources of inspiration, both in life and in his work. This passion led him to create two performances at the renowned photography festival Les Rencontres d’Arles: “De l’eau dans le jazz” and “Jazz comme une image”. The latter was designed by the artist as a slideshow of his photos, projected on a giant screen to act as a score for improvisational music sessions. It was later exhibited in several metro stations in Paris during the five-week “Banlieues Bleues” jazz festival.
Apart from his profession as a photographer, Le Querrec has been holding lectures at educational institutions in France and abroad, in countries that include Switzerland, Senegal, Mongolia, England and Canada.

2021  Sur la piste de Big Foot, Librairie des Alpes, Paris
2019  Jazz de J à ZZ, Château Palmer, Margaux, France
2018  Guy Le Querrec, Conteur d’images, Champs Libres, Rennes, France
2016  Guy Le Querrec en Bretagne, Brest; Lannion; Lorient, France
2014  Enfants du Pays Lobi, Marseille
2013  Jazz de J à ZZ, Turin, Italy
2012  Jazz de J à ZZ, Montreux Jazz Festival, Switzerland
2012  Jazz, jour et nuit / Miles, Bruissin, France
2012  L’oeil de l’Eléphant, Royal Monceau, Paris
2012  View York–Nine Perceptions, KSH, Freiburg, Germany
2011  Miles Davis, Le Carré d’Art, Nîmes, France
2011  Jazz, jour et nuit, Le CAP, Brest, France
2011  Jazz de J à ZZ, University of Fribourg, Switzerland
2011  View York–Nine Perceptions, DAI, Tübingen, Germany;  CLAIRbyKahn, Munich
2010  Jazz Images, Skoda Jazz Festival, Belgium
2009  Jazz de J à ZZ, Corigliano Calabro Fotografia, Italy
2009  Le Siècle du jazz, Italy; Musée de Quai Branly, France, Spain
2008  Biennale de la Photographie, Moscow
2006  Les Rencontres d’Arles, France
2005  Temps de poses, Musée du Septennat, Château-Chinon, France
2005  Base sous-marine, Bordeaux, France
2003  Rencontres internationales de jazz, Nevers, France
2002  Centro de la Imagen, Braga, Portugal
2002  Hermès, New York City
2001  Haus der Kulturen der Welt, Berlin
2000  International Jazz Festival, Saalfelden, Austria
1999  Hillside Forum Daikanyama, Tokyo
1997  Maison Robert Doisneau, Gentilly, France
1996  Maison de la Culture d’Amiens, France
1993  Espace photographique de Paris
1991  Visa pour l’image, Perpignan, France
1991  French Cultural Centers in Germany and Eastern Europe
1990  Rencontres Internationales de la Photographie In Port Expos, Le Port, Réunion
1978  Galerie municipale du Château d’eau de Toulouse, France

2011  View York–Nine Perceptions, Kerber Verlag, Bielefeld
2009  Le Siècle du jazz, Skira Flammarion
2009  Géométrie de l’instant, Créaphis, Paris
2006  D’Jazz à Nevers – chemins croisés, l’Armançon
2005  Le Chronatoscaphe, Nato
2005  African Flashback, Label Bleu
2002  Minneapolis We Insist, Universal Jazz
2001  Minneapolis, Universal Jazz
2001  Jazz Light and Day, Motta
2000  Sur la piste de Big Foot, Textuel
1999  Suite Africaine/ Carnet de Routes, Label Bleu
1997  François Mitterrand, des temps de poses à l’Elysée, Marval
1996  Jazz de J à ZZ, Marval
1995  Carnet de routes, Label Bleu
1994  Portraits de mots, Alphagram/Bordas
1993  Jazz comme une image, Banlieues Bleues, Scandéditions
1991  Musicales, Trois Cailloux, Amiens
1988  Tête à tête, Daniel Druet sculpteur, Carrère
1979  Portugal 1974-1975. Regards sur une tentative de pouvoir populaire, Hier et demain
1977  Quelque part, Contrejour