A camera shutter clicks in a Paris studio. The subject adjusts under carefully positioned lights. Behind the lens stands Cedric Van Mol—a photographer whose name often appears in conversations about celebrity culture, yet whose work speaks louder than his public persona.
Who is Cedric Van Mol?
Cedric Van Mol is a French fashion photographer born in 1978 in Montpellier who established himself in Paris after initially working as a cartoonist. He has collaborated with major fashion magazines, including French ELLE, Vogue Japan, and Harper’s Bazaar Ukraine, and is known for his marriage to actress Olga Kurylenko from 2000 to 2004.
You’ll find his portfolio spans editorial shoots, commercial campaigns, and film work—yet he maintains a deliberately private life that contrasts sharply with the celebrity world he photographs.
Early Life: From Cartoons to Camera
Cedric was born in 1978 in Montpellier and grew up drawing cartoons with support from his teacher mother and architect father. Southern France’s artistic heritage surrounded him during his formative years.
His path to photography wasn’t direct. In 1994, he abandoned his cartoonist career to establish himself as a photographer in Paris. The transition from sketching characters to capturing real faces would define his career trajectory.
He studied at the Paris College of Art, where he earned a fine arts degree. This formal education combined technical skills with artistic vision—a blend that would become his signature style.
Photography Career: Building a European Reputation
Van Mol’s work centers on celebrity and fashion photography. His approach differs from typical glamour shots. He brings a cartoonist’s eye for composition and storytelling to each frame.
His client list includes respected international publications. He has collaborated with French ELLE, Madame Figaro, Photo Magazine, Vogue Japan, ELLE Japan, ELLE Russia, and Harper’s Bazaar Ukraine.
Commercial work also features in his portfolio. His recent commercial projects include brands like Pantene and Renault cars.
Film industry work added another dimension to his career. Van Mol worked in the camera and electrical department for The Lovers (2015), demonstrating his versatility beyond still photography.
Notable Projects and Recognition
In 2014, his behind-the-scenes shots from Paris Fashion Week won gold in the documentary category at Prix de la Photographie Paris. The judges praised his ability to capture genuine moments amid controlled chaos.
Between 2016 and 2018, he photographed 20 A-list actors in their homes rather than studios. This intimate portrait series toured galleries in London, New York, and Tokyo. The black-and-white collection revealed personal sides of subjects rarely seen publicly.
In 2018, his Celebrity Portrait Series earned first place in portraiture at the International Photography Awards, competing against over 10,000 entries from 120 countries.
His 2019 work for Renault’s electric vehicle launch and 2020 Pantene Pro-V rebrand campaign won advertising awards. These projects proved his artistic vision translated effectively to commercial spaces.
Getty Images selected him in 2021 as one of ten photographers worldwide for their Master Series partnership, expanding his reach among commercial clients seeking editorial-quality imagery.
Marriage to Olga Kurylenko: A High-Profile Union
In 2000, Kurylenko married French fashion photographer Cedric van Mol, and they divorced four years later in 2004. Their relationship thrust the private photographer into public view.
They met during a Paris photo shoot where Olga modeled, and the connection sparked fast, leading to marriage after a short courtship. At the time, Kurylenko’s modeling career was ascending—she had already appeared on Vogue and Elle covers by age 18.
The marriage coincided with Olga’s transition from modeling to acting. She secured her breakthrough role in The Ring Finger (2005), followed by international fame as a Bond girl in Quantum of Solace (2008).
Born on November 14, 1979, in Berdyansk, Ukraine, Kurylenko is a Ukrainian and French actress who rose to prominence playing Bond girl Camille Montes in Quantum of Solace. Her subsequent career included roles in Oblivion (2013), The Death of Stalin (2017), Black Widow (2021), and Extraction 2 (2023).
Some sources allege their marriage helped Kurylenko obtain French citizenship in 2001. Neither party has publicly addressed these claims. The couple had no children during their four-year marriage.
Life After Divorce: Maintaining Privacy
Post-2004, Van Mol deliberately stepped back from public attention. Since divorcing Olga Kurylenko in 2004, he has kept his love life private, stating in a rare 2023 interview that “My cameras are the only commitment I need right now”.
He avoids social media platforms—unusual for someone in his profession. This absence from Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook helps maintain the privacy he values. His focus remains on his craft rather than personal branding.
Current reports indicate he’s unmarried as of 2025. While his ex-wife’s career flourished in Hollywood blockbusters, Van Mol continued building his reputation in European fashion and editorial circles.
Professional Approach and Style
Van Mol’s photography style reflects his cartoonist background. He finds angles that reveal character rather than just appearance. His images capture authentic moments—subjects looking natural rather than posed.
He prefers natural light, rising at 5:30 am to catch optimal shooting conditions. His Paris studio occupies a former textile factory’s top floor in the 11th arrondissement, featuring north-facing windows that provide consistent light.
His equipment choices vary by project. He alternates between digital and film photography, carrying a compact Leica for personal work alongside Canon gear for client assignments. Unlike many photographers who delegate equipment handling to assistants, he manages his own gear.
Travel fills most of his year—he spends only 15-20 weeks annually in Paris. He chooses local apartments over luxury hotels when shooting across Europe, North America, and Asia, believing this approach helps him better understand each culture.
Current Status and Net Worth
Van Mol’s exact net worth remains undisclosed. Professional celebrity photographers’ earnings vary significantly based on client rates and project frequency. Magazine shoots provide a steady income, with day rates at major publications representing his primary revenue source.
His limited-edition prints, gallery exhibitions, and commercial campaigns create additional income streams. The Paris Collection—street portraits of emerging designers shot on film during 2015 Fashion Week—became a limited-edition book that commands premium prices among collectors.
By comparison, his ex-wife Olga Kurylenko’s estimated net worth is approximately $18 million, reflecting her successful Hollywood career.
The Man Behind the Camera
Cedric Van Mol represents a particular type of creative professional—someone whose work intersects with fame yet who actively avoids fame’s trappings. His brief marriage to Olga Kurylenko brought unwanted attention that he’s spent two decades deflecting back to his photography.
His career demonstrates that talent and dedication can build a respected reputation without constant publicity. He lets his images speak rather than cultivating a personal brand through social media or interviews.
At 46 years old (as of 2024), he continues working across fashion, editorial, and commercial photography. His influence extends to aspiring photographers who study his lighting techniques and compositional choices.
The photographer who once drew cartoons in Montpellier now captures the faces that define contemporary celebrity culture—yet he remains largely unknown to the public he serves. That anonymity appears entirely intentional.