In a world overflowing with filters and flawless poses, photographer Christophe Hanckowiak is doing something refreshingly different—he’s keeping it real.
His work captures more than what’s in front of the camera. It tells unguarded, human stories. “I believe people want to go back to authenticity,” Christophe says. “Especially now, when AI is blooming and it’s hard to tell what’s real.” That desire for truth drives every frame he shoots.
Christophe doesn’t rely on stiff poses or studio lighting. Instead, he builds genuine connection. At a recent high school senior session, he met a student who didn’t want to smile. Through conversation and empathy, he slowly opened up. “By creating that connection,” Christophe says, “I could make him more relaxed—and eventually, he cracked a smile, which made his grandmother so happy.”
That philosophy extends beyond individual sessions. His “Art Under Every Cup” project, created in partnership with local businesses and communities such as the Daytona Beach Police Department, uses photography to foster community connection. “Everyone has a story,” he says. “It’s my job to capture the emotion behind it.”
He’s also thoughtful—and outspoken—about the rise of AI-generated imagery and how it's reshaping how people present themselves - both personally and professionally. “You almost don’t need a photographer to create something perfect—you can ask AI for a flawless image,” Christophe says. “But when you go to share that image, people wonder: Who am I going to talk to? A real person—or someone trying to be fake?”
It’s this distinction—between the curated and the real—that defines his work. Christophe isn’t chasing perfection. He’s chasing truth. “Photography, for me, is not about likes or approval,” he says. “It’s about telling a story honestly.”
Daytona is more than a backdrop for his work—it’s a source of inspiration. Christophe sees beauty and possibility where others might not. “Daytona has a lot more to give than what it currently is,” he says. His images of local faces and places work to shift perceptions of our hometown.
“I feel more fulfilled, working toward a vision that goes beyond just taking pictures,” he shares. Through his lens, Christophe invites us to see not just images—but ourselves, without filters.