Born in Basel, Switzerland, Sarah Ly is an artist and photographer specialized in portrait photography. From the age of seven, she began photographing her family, revealing an early passion for capturing the essence of human beings. She describes herself as someone who was “born to photograph people.”

After studying textile design and photography, as well as training as a kindergarten and primary school teacher, Sarah Ly developed a unique artistic approach. Her experience in the social sector, particularly with refugees and migrants, has deeply shaped her sensitivity. Immersion in such human contexts has sharpened her ability to build trust and capture genuine emotions through her images.

While Sarah Ly excels in the art of portraiture, she also ventures into still life and landscapes, always with a distinct and recognizable style. She works primarily between Paris, Basel, Dakar, and Marrakech, yet remains free to practice her art anywhere in the world. Her aesthetic, strongly influenced by her studies in textile design and her experience in fashion with brands such as Miu Miu and Prada, transcends geographical boundaries.

Her committed work stands out through her exclusive use of analog photography—a choice that reflects her authenticity. She refuses any form of digital retouching and values the artisanal process of the darkroom, where she develops and prints all her black-and-white photographs by hand. This meticulous work strengthens the intimate connection she creates with her subjects, extending the photographic experience far beyond the moment of capture.

Sarah Ly has led campaigns for clothing brands and collaborated with various newspapers and magazines in Switzerland. She has also designed album covers for Sony Music. In parallel, she assumes the artistic direction of all her projects, ensuring consistency and attention to every detail.

For the past two years, Sarah Ly has been fully dedicated to her flagship project, Black Beauty. Dedicated to her goddaughter and the child’s father, this project is a response to the injustices she witnessed during her work in refugee camps. Deeply moved by these experiences, she chose to highlight beauty—both inner and outer. Black Beauty is also a declaration of love and admiration for Africa.