PHOTOGRAPHY AND COFFEE: AN ENCOUNTER WITH THOMAS TESSIER
Thomas Tessier, a Franco-Canadian artistic director and photographer from Quebec, handles the art of espresso with as much precision as he does the art of image. Equipped with his LELIT Bianca, he explores the subtleties of manual extraction, where every detail counts. In this interview, he shares his relationship with coffee, both in his professional and personal life, and tells us about his first steps with his LELIT Bianca. It's a meeting where creativity, aesthetics, and sensory pleasure intertwine.
What is your connection to coffee in your professional life?
"Specialty coffee is at the heart of my professional journey. I am an artistic director and photographer for major players in the North American coffee scene. Working in specialty coffee means evolving in a world where attention to detail is omnipresent. Through my experience, I've had the chance to discover beans from all over the world, sourced from the best farms on the planet. Through my images, I want to show the subtlety of coffee and deconstruct the common misconception that it's just a bitter and stimulating drink."
Why did you agree to collaborate with Édika?
"In the winter of 2019, I bought my first espresso machine, hoping to recreate the taste journeys I'd experienced on the terraces of my neighborhood cafes. I quickly realized that my old machine wouldn't allow me to achieve a cup that met my expectations. I was frustrated by the lack of control and consistency. I needed a company that prioritized quality, expertise, and maintenance, so that my machine could accompany me for many years."
What do you take away from the Bianca?
"The Bianca has become much more than just a machine to me. It's a real centerpiece in my apartment. I love its raw yet organic design; it embodies sharing, creation, and exploration. I particularly appreciate its analog and mechanical nature. I love handcrafted things, and I feel like it truly rewards every gesture and attention to detail I give it. I find everyday beauty in it."
How did you learn the espresso recipe?
"I learned through curiosity and experimentation. It was by practicing daily that I truly understood its subtleties. I started with the basics: a 1:2 ratio and an extraction time of around 25-30 seconds. Then, I tested different parameters and observed the impact of each one on the taste. Extracting two cups with slightly different settings helps to awaken your palate and improve. In parallel, I became interested in the beans: their origin, variety, cultivation altitude, processing method... It's an endless learning process that I'm passionate about."
How much importance do you place on extraction precision?
"The basics are very important. But most people don't need to be chemists to have a great cup at home. Today, I rely as much on technique as I do on my senses: the texture, aroma, and balance. I mainly focus on the water, grind, and a ratio adapted to the type of coffee chosen. I like precision, but I try to remain minimalist in my practice and not add too many variables."
What is your favorite drink?
"I would say espresso! I love its balance, the condensed aromas it offers, and its texture. Lately, I've been using a very vibrant Kenyan coffee with floral notes."
What does coffee represent to you?
"Coffee is often perceived as a stimulating drink to start the day. For me, it's quite the opposite: it's a moment of tasting, a suspended, almost meditative instant. It has become a very personal ritual and a creative playground."
How does coffee fit into your daily life? What place does it occupy?
"In the morning, it's a special moment with my girlfriend. I love her smile when I serve her a latte, her daily debrief on its taste, and our discussions about changing the world. When we go about our respective days, we only have one wish: for it to be tomorrow morning. In the afternoon, when I'm in my studio, my coffee tastes more like a creative break. It's an opportunity to recharge my batteries, take a step back, and find new inspiration. If I had to choose, I like to savor my coffee in the presence of beautiful light."
For you, coffee rhymes with what?
"Creation, exploration, and sharing. It stimulates the mind, inspires ideas, opens conversations, and builds connections. It's a true catalyst for projects and encounters."
