BIO
Paris-born artist Mathieu Bitton is a prolific photographer, designer, art director, and producer. He has photographed some of the world’s most celebrated artists, including Quincy Jones, The Rolling Stones, Stevie Wonder, Lenny Kravitz, Dave Chappelle, Lady Gaga, Mel Brooks, Sidney Poitier, Jay-Z, Bruce Springsteen, Penelope Cruz, Snoop Dogg, Aretha Franklin, Jerry Seinfeld, Harry Belafonte, Jim Carrey, John Mayer, Morgan Freeman, David Letterman and Chris Rock. He has also designed and art directed an extensive catalog of albums, posters, books, and promotional materials for an illustrious range of films, musicians, and entertainers. When not creating commissioned works, Mathieu finds inspiration shooting candid portraits, stolen moments, and spontaneous streescenes. A common thread, whatever the medium, is capturing the truth of a subject and a moment.
Among Mathieu’s numerous achievements are multiple Grammy® nominations—including three wins—being awarded the medal of Knight in the Order of Arts and Letters, bestowed by the French Government, and receiving the Seal of the President of the United States from the White House for Paris Blues in 2025.
Mathieu’s successful exhibitions have included Travelogue (Los Angeles, 2013), Ascension (Vienna, 2015 and Sofia, 2016), Darker Than Blue (Los Angeles, 2016; Boston, Miami, 2017; Frankfurt, Wetzlar, 2018), and most recently Paris Blues (Los Angeles, New York, 2024; Miami, 2025), the inspiration and companion to this book. Mathieu has been honored to serve as an ambassador for Leica Cameras and he has partnered with and participated in several of their ad campaigns and events.
His latest work with Dave Chappelle was heavily featured in the new Netflix special The Unstoppable…
Talk Info
Keeping Passion and Curiosity Alive
In this talk, I explore how passion has been the driving force behind every stage of my career and how it has opened doors to rooms I never imagined I’d be in. From starting out as an art director and designer to unexpectedly becoming a photographer, and eventually moving into producing, my journey hasn’t been linear but it has been fuelled by curiosity, commitment, and creative instinct. I’ll share honest insights into navigating different roles within the creative industry, evolving your skillset, and building the confidence to step beyond your original job title. I’ll also talk about working with high-level collaborators, understanding creative dynamics, and how to position yourself in the kinds of rooms where opportunities happen.
At its core, this is a conversation about backing your passion, staying adaptable, and carving out your own path in a competitive industry.