Onillon, 42, from France, has backpacked to over 40 countries and it is in Malaysia where his lens is now focused.
While street photographers in the city are not uncommon, Onillon, who goes by “KL Photoholic” on social media, stands out for a unique reason. It’s his videos, documenting his interactions with KL folks, that have captured people’s attention.
Equipped with a GoPro on his chest, Onillon films those heart-warming moments where he approaches strangers on the street, requesting for a photo, and directing them on how to pose. Their reactions — sometimes filled with excitement, other times with confusion — never fail to bring a smile before the final photos are revealed.
So how did this French man end up in Malaysia doing this? Leaving France when he was 21 years old, he said his one goal since the age of 16 was to travel the world.
“Back in 2003, I was trying to find a job abroad but was rejected every single time as I did not speak English,” Roman told FMT Lifestyle.
Undeterred, he took a plunge and resorted to a somewhat daring idea.
“I created a fake resume and got a job offer in the Bahamas as an entertainer. My bosses were very angry when they found out I could not speak English but they gave me three months to learn,” he recalled.
Once he picked up the language, the travel bug bit hard. He backpacked until 2015, living in various countries, and working several jobs. As an avid traveller, he purchased his first film camera to document his journey during a backpacking trip in Vietnam back in 2004.
“I started taking pictures and I just loved the experience,” he shared.
It wasn’t until 2010 that he bought his first DSLR camera. What started as a simple hobby had transformed into a career by 2012, when he landed a job as a photographer in New Zealand. As he gained professional skills, the quality of his photos evolved as well.
Despite his many adventures, his life took an exciting turn when he visited Malaysia in 2013. “That’s when I met my wife here in KL,” he said with a smile. After living together in New Zealand for five years, they decided to move back to Malaysia in 2018.
He did not only fall in love with a Malaysian woman, he fell in love with the vibrant streets of KL and its people too.
Starting his street photography earlier this year, you may spot Onillon strolling around Bukit Bintang, KLCC, Chinatown, and Central Market with a camera in hand.
“I like to take photos of people who have a unique appearance, especially those from different countries. It’s always interesting to listen to the stories of travellers,” he expressed.
“Locals are always more shy. I get asked questions like, ‘what are you going to do with the photos?’”
In fact, he said that there’s a special beauty in taking street photos in Malaysia, due to the nation’s multicultural population.
“There was one time where I approached a family of Indians thinking they were Malaysians. It turned out that they were from India and didn’t speak English or Malay. So, I took about 30 minutes to explain what I was doing,” he said with a laugh.
While there are various forms of street photography, Onillon explained that he prefers to take a friendlier approach.
“Some photographers will not ask, they will just put their camera in your face to capture the moment candidly. I choose to introduce myself first, then ask them to pose for the camera.”
In fact, while most street photographers simply post their photos on social media and leave it at that, Onillon goes the extra mile by allowing people to download their picture for free from his website afterwards.
While he has now launched his own photography company, he remains dedicated to his passion for immortalising the faces of Kuala Lumpur, frame by frame.