Montreal

Vogue photographer hopes Trudeau profile inspires new tone in U.S. politics

Norman Jean Roy says the opportunity to photograph Canada’s first couple for Vogue was one those moments when his life comes full circle.

Quebec-born photographer Norman Jean Roy says Trudeaus 'so taken with each other'

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his wife, Sophie Grégoire-Trudeau, are featured in the January issue of Vogue. The magazine's profile on 'the new young face of Canadian politics' hits newsstands Dec. 22. (Norman Jean Roy/Vogue)

Norman Jean Roy says the opportunity to photograph Canada's first couple for Vogue was one those moments when his life comes full circle.

Born in Sherbrooke, Que. in 1969, the New York-based photographer was raised in Mont St-Hilaire on Montreal's South Shore when Justin Trudeau's father, Pierre Elliott Trudeau, was Canada's prime minister.

"It's always really exciting when I get a chance to close the loop, when [I get to shoot] someone who was influential in my life before I became a photographer," Roy told CBC Montreal's Homerun.

He compared the event to a photo shoot he once did with actor Harrison Ford.

"I remember when Han Solo was a sticker on my mailbox when I was growing up," he said.

"It's almost like closing the chapter of a book that you left open."

Quebec-born photographer Norman Jean Roy talks to CBC Montreal's Homerun about his photo shoot with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his wife, Sophie Grégoire-Trudeau.

Photo captures a 'moment'

Roy said Vogue editor Anna Wintour wanted to profile Trudeau and his wife, Sophie Grégoire-Trudeau, because "they're such a dynamic couple."

One of Roy's photos of the couple was revealed on Vogue.com when the online version of the piece went live Wednesday.

The caption reads: "Trudeau's wife, Sophie Grégoire-Trudeau (in an Oscar de la Renta dress), says of their first date, 'At the end of dinner he said, 'I'm 31 years old, and I've been waiting for you for 31 years.'"

Roy said the photo was taken just after Grégoire-Trudeau walked on set after having her hair and makeup done.

"There was this moment with the two of them where the whole room just disappeared, and you could tell immediately that they were definitely in their own moment," he said.

"He was just looking at her. She looked beautiful. They were just so taken with each other."

The better 'mania'

Roy said he hopes Vogue's coverage of the new Trudeau "mania" helps to inspire a different tone in politics in the United States and internationally.

"On this side of the border, it's more a maniac kind of mania about our own politics," he said.

"If U.S. politicians…. are taking notice, hopefully it will inspire them to be better people."