"Photographs are always a confrontation with reality, first by the person who takes them, then by those who look at them, adhere to them or reject them. You could say that our collections of photographs are what we like or can accept of life."

--Agathe Gaillard

Agathe Gaillard opened the very first photography gallery in Paris in June 1975. Last night, she celebrated the 30th anniversary of the Galerie with a magical party that extended out from the intimate exhibition space into a broad cobble-stone courtyard in the Marais, where the gallery has been attracting the best and brightest since its inception. Quite a few of the well-wishers were toting vintage Leicas, and greeted each other with wide smiles, hugs, kisses, and the warmth of long-time friendships.

Everyone brought photographs, too, at the request of Agathe. So in many ways, it was a wonderful way to get to know people, or for old friends to catch up with each other.

From the beginning, Agathe Gaillard helped to introduce the world to the ground-breaking visions of photographers like Jean-Philippe Charbonnier, Ralph Gibson, Henri Cartier-Bresson, André Kertesz, Edouard Boubat, Robert Doisneau, and Gisele Freund. She continues today to exhibit new, emerging photographers, along with the work of those whose work has been recognized and appreciated for decades.

Congratulations Agathe Gaillard, and thank you!