American Soldiers On Leave

1934–1939

Photographer at the Renault works in Billancourt

In 1934 Doisneau became an industrial advertising photographer at the Renault car factory in Boulogne-Billancourt; in 1991 he said those years marked “the beginning of his career as a photographer and the end of his youth”.

1939

Dismissed from Renault for lateness

In 1939 Doisneau was dismissed for repeated lateness; he then freelanced in advertising, engraving and postcard photography.

1939

Joins the Rapho agency

The same year he was hired by the Rapho photographic agency and travelled all over France in search of picture stories, eventually taking his first professional street photographs.

1939–1940

Drafted into the army as soldier and photographer

When the Second World War broke out, Doisneau, then with Rapho, was drafted into the French army as both a soldier and a photographer; he served until 1940.

1940–1945

Forges papers for the Resistance

From 1940 until the end of the war Doisneau used his skills as a draughtsman, letterer and engraver to forge passports and identity papers for the French Resistance.

1942

Daughter born: Annette Doisneau