About the Artist
About
Véronique Lefrançois
I discovered photography at the age of 16 with a 35 mm camera. Quickly passionate, I explored images in both black and white and color, captivated by this visual language that allowed me to express what words could not.
Technological evolution naturally led me to digital, but I never lost the essence of my passion: capturing the moment, freezing emotion, telling a story. At the same time, I built a career in Quebec's public service, notably as a director.
A full, structured life... until an event changed everything.
Photography, which had always been present, was about to become my rebirth.
The Miracle Survivor
In 2016, at 46 years old, my life took a dramatic turn. A first multiple sclerosis attack marked the beginning of a serious downturn. Rapidly paralyzed, I was hospitalized in intensive care. That's when cerebral lymphomas were discovered, a blood cancer that had caused brain lesions. The prognosis was grim. I came close to death.
But a stem cell autograft saved my life, eradicating both the cancer and multiple sclerosis.
My doctors nicknamed me "the miracle survivor."
Due to neurological aftereffects, I took early retirement at 50. What could have been an end became a new beginning. Freed from professional constraints, I could finally devote myself entirely to what makes me thrive: capturing the beauty of the world.
This ordeal taught me the essential: every moent counts. Every encounter with wild nature is a precious gift. My camera has become my tool of gratitude, my way of celebrating the life that was given to me a second time.
My Mission
As a committed photographer, I want to raise awareness. Through my images, I reveal the richness, beauty, and fragility of our planet. I have always dreamed of observing African animals. Today, I realize this dream with every safari. I traverse the plains of the Masai Mara, tracking the gaze of a leopard, the elegance of a lioness, the lightning-fast sprint of a cheetah.
But I also photograph the wildlife that surrounds me in Quebec: the playful foxes of the Magdalen Islands, forest birds, the landscapes that saw me grow up.
My goal? To share the wonder. To show that wild nature deserves our respect, our protection, our love. Each photograph is an invitation to slow down, to contemplate, to reconnect with the essential.
I always accept to share my atypical story when organizations or businesses ask me. I wish to convey a message of hope to those going through similar ordeals.
In 2018, after coming close to death, I wrote L'Âme d'une Guerrière (Soul of a Warrior), an intimate and sincere account of my fight against two neurological diagnoses.
My latest testimony took place before 550 people, business professionals and philanthropists, at the Annual Gala of the CHUM Foundation (Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Montréal), where $1.5 million was raised for medical research.
I was also spokesperson for the Light the Night Walk of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Canada.
If my journey can inspire, restore courage, or simply remind that life sometimes holds magnificent surprises, then I have fulfilled my mission.
Sharing Hope
Official photographer of L'Anse aux Herbes herbalist shop
Beyond wildlife, I am also the official photographer of L'Anse aux Herbes, a very popular herbalist shop located in the Magdalen Islands. I capture the beauty of each flower and plant cultivated on their land, creating a visual inventory that is both poetic and faithful to their artisanal approach.
These local flora shots gradually enrich my portfolio and will soon be available in my shop, offering a complementary palette to my animal series: the softness of petals, morning light on wild herbs, the intimacy of a carefully cultivated garden.
Partnership with Château Madelinot
I also collaborate with Château Madelinot, an emblematic location in the Islands, where several of my canvases are already exhibited and for sale. We are currently working on creating an exclusive shop offering unique products, original works that celebrate the identity and beauty of the archipelago.
This collaboration, rooted in respect for the territory and its culture, should take shape for the next tourist season.
An Anchor in the Magdalen Islands
Awards and Publications
After my early retirement, I seriously reconnected with photography. In 2023, I took on the Master Photographers International challenge and won two Awards. One of my shots was published in Outdoor Photography on the Nature's Beauty theme.
In 2024, I tried my luck again and this time obtained 5 Awards at Master Photographers International, a recognition that validates my artistic vision and emotional approach.
Today, I fully dedicate myself to capturing the beauty of landscapes and the majesty of wild fauna, transforming each encounter into fine art works intended for wildlife enthusiasts and art lovers.
Fine Art Prints
Premium Collection
For discerning art lovers, I offer an exclusive collection of large-format prints on Canvas.
Each work is printed with the Giclée technique on premium matte Fine Art canvas of 410g/m², mounted on 1.5" thick wooden stretcher bars for an authentic gallery look.
The prints use pigment inks designed to meet gallery and museum requirements, with a 200-year longevity. Each print is accompanied by a certificate of authenticity.
Adventure in the Soul
Long before my illness, in 2009, I participated in the Rallye Aïcha des Gazelles, a 100% women's navigation rally taking place in the Moroccan desert.
This eight-day 4x4 competition is distinguished by the absence of GPS: only old topographic maps and a compass are authorized. Each day, we had to locate eight checkpoints by calculating cardinal points ourselves, the objective being to cover the fewest kilometers possible.
Always driven by a taste for adventure and self-transcendence, I found in this experience a real personal challenge. This ordeal allowed me to push my limits and strengthen my confidence in my abilities.
This thirst for adventure has never left me... it nourishes each of my photographic safaris today.
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My Approach
I don't photograph animals. I capture connections.
I seek the gaze that pierces, the suspended moment, raw beauty.
Specialized in African felines and North American wildlife, I offer two universes:
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Standard Print: To make animal art accessible to everyone who loves nature.
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Premium Print: Large-format, high-quality works intended for wildlife enthusiasts and collectors.
My objective? To make you feel what I experienced. To invite you to contemplate the beauty and fragility of our world.