Meet Sklaerenn Lorand | Photographer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Sklaerenn Lorand and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Sklaerenn, what do you attribute your success to?

The most important factor behind my success is the distinct photographic approach and working methodology I have developed, which combines artistic discretion with narrative precision and emotional accuracy. Rather than simply documenting events, I have built my career around creating images that function as visual storytelling tools—images that capture not only what is happening, but why it matters.

My work is grounded in a philosophy I have refined over years of experience on film sets, concert tours, and large-scale conventions: the ability to remain almost invisible while producing images with strong emotional and editorial impact. This approach requires a high level of adaptability, empathy, and situational awareness, allowing me to anticipate moments before they occur and capture them authentically, without disrupting the creative environment. This methodology is not generic; it is the result of deliberate refinement and has become a signature of my work.

I have also made original contributions through the way I frame, light, and curate images in high-pressure environments. Each creative decision—timing, composition, perspective, and post-selection—is intentional and designed to convey narrative coherence and emotional depth. My work consistently transforms fleeting moments into images that artists, producers, and organizers use for branding, promotion, and legacy documentation.

This distinctive approach has led People Convention to rely on me not only as a photographer, but as a trusted creative collaborator as they expanded into new markets, including the United States. It has also resulted in repeated collaborations with actors, musicians, and industry professionals who value my discretion, consistency, and ability to deliver images that align with their artistic identity.

Ultimately, my success comes from having developed a recognizable creative signature and professional standard that goes beyond execution. By combining rigor, originality, and emotional intelligence, I have contributed meaningfully to major cultural events and productions, and positioned myself as a photographer whose work adds lasting value to the projects and artists I support.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there a person, group, organization, book, etc that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?

While my career has been driven by discipline, vision, and originality, it has also been shaped by the influence and recognition of exceptional individuals who identified my talent early on and contributed to my professional ascent.

From the very beginning, French singer Grégory Lemarchal embodied resilience, artistic integrity, and courage at the highest level. His legacy profoundly influenced my own approach to ambition and perseverance, reinforcing the belief that artistic excellence requires both rigor and unwavering determination.

Cécilia Cara played an essential role in shaping my professional ethos. Since our first encounter in 2004, her consistent encouragement and high artistic standards guided me toward a career grounded in authenticity, professionalism, and long-term credibility. Her trust reinforced the importance of maintaining artistic integrity while operating at a professional level.

David Ban was also one of the first industry professionals to formally recognize my photographic talent and entrust me with significant responsibility. His early confidence in my work allowed me to refine my technical expertise, develop a distinctive visual signature, and gain critical exposure at a formative stage of my career. His mentorship marked a turning point, transforming my artistic practice into a professional vocation.

Chad Michael Murray’s recognition of my work further validated my standing as a photographer operating at an international level. Our collaborations and professional exchanges strengthened my confidence and directly supported my decision to expand my career to the United States, where artistic standards and competition are particularly high.

Finally, Vanessa, founder of People Convention, played a decisive role in the international expansion of my career. By inviting me to join and grow with the organization in the U.S. market, she entrusted me with increasing creative and strategic responsibilities. Through this role, I became a key contributor to People Convention’s visual identity and international presence, consistently delivering work that met the expectations of world-renowned artists, actors, and industry leaders across France and the United States.

Each of these individuals recognized my abilities not simply as potential, but as professional excellence worthy of trust, responsibility, and international exposure. Their support reflects the level of distinction at which I operate and has enabled me to make sustained, original contributions to my field while building a career of recognized impact in the global entertainment industry.

Please tell us more about your art. We’d love to hear what sets you apart from others, what you are most proud of or excited about. How did you get to where you are today professionally?

Photography has been central to my life and professional identity for more than twenty years. From an early age, I was drawn to capturing images—not as a passive observer, but as a storyteller intent on preserving emotion, atmosphere, and meaning. While I have always been uncomfortable in front of the camera, I found my voice behind it. As a teenager in Paris, I began documenting musical theater productions, stage performances, and concerts, where I first understood the power of a single image to crystallize a fleeting moment into something timeless. From the outset, my work was driven by the ambition not merely to document events, but to elevate them through images that endure.

Very early in my career, I was entrusted with opportunities that exceeded my age and experience. While still in high school, I toured with musical productions, gaining rare access to both the stage and the backstage world. It was behind the scenes—away from the spotlight—that I developed what has since become my signature approach: discreet, immersive photography that captures authenticity rather than performance. This proximity to artists and creative teams shaped my methodology and positioned me not as an outsider, but as an integral contributor to the creative process.

To formalize and refine my practice, I pursued professional training at Icart Photography School in Paris, where I deepened my technical mastery while continuing to develop a highly personal visual language. Over the years, I collaborated with leading French artists and creators, including Christophe Maé, Cécilia Cara, David Ban, Louis Delort, and others, as well as film directors such as Julien Seri and Adam Phénix. These collaborations allowed me to apply my approach across disciplines—music, film, and live performance—while consistently delivering work that was both artistically distinctive and professionally indispensable.

A defining milestone in my career was my appointment as the official photographer for People Convention. In this role, I became responsible for capturing the public image and visual legacy of major international cultural events. Through this platform, my work has documented globally recognized artists such as Ian Somerhalder, Millie Bobby Brown, Chad Michael Murray, Tom Felton, Shantel VanSanten, Robert Knepper, and Noah Schnapp. When People Convention expanded into the United States, I was selected to accompany and help establish the brand in the American market—a clear recognition of my value, reliability, and creative leadership. This transition brought me to Los Angeles, where my career entered a new international phase.

Since relocating to the United States, my work has continued to gain significant visibility and recognition. I served as the behind-the-scenes photographer for the feature film Screamboat by Steven LaMorte, starring David Howard Thornton, Tyler Posey, and Allison Pittel. My images from this production were published in major media outlets including The New York Post, Variety, and SFX Magazine, affirming the professional and journalistic relevance of my work. I also worked on the award-winning short film Always and For Never by Melissa Papel, where I explored complex lighting environments and visual atmospheres tailored to each scene—an exercise in both technical innovation and creative problem-solving. The film’s success at multiple festivals further amplified the reach of my work.

More recently, I collaborated with fashion journalist Annabelle Kajbaf on the mini-series Tell Me Mode, a project at the intersection of fashion, identity, and cultural commentary. My photography for this series was published in Glamour US and Teen Vogue US, and the upcoming installment is scheduled for publication in Allure. These publications reflect my ability to translate my artistic vision across genres while meeting the highest editorial standards of internationally recognized media.

What distinguishes my work, as consistently noted by artists, producers, and collaborators, is my sensitivity, discretion, and capacity to create genuine emotional trust. My photography is not about spectacle; it is about presence. I capture not only what is visible, but what is felt—moments of vulnerability, connection, and truth that cannot be staged or replicated. This approach has made my work both artistically distinctive and professionally sought-after.

I am particularly proud of having built an international career through sustained excellence, adaptability, and perseverance. Navigating immigration processes, establishing myself in Los Angeles, and continuing to collaborate with artists I once admired from afar are achievements that reflect not chance, but long-term commitment and resilience. Challenges, setbacks, and difficult experiences have been formative rather than defining; they have sharpened my judgment and reinforced my dedication to integrity and quality.

Photography has never been an easy path, but it has been a purposeful one. Every challenge has strengthened my voice and clarified my contribution to the field. Today, I continue to expand my work in film, editorial, and live performance, committed to creating images that resonate across cultures and time. My goal remains unchanged: to tell meaningful stories through photography—one emotion, one collaboration, and one image at a time.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.

If my best friend were visiting Los Angeles for a week, I’d want to show them the city in a way that captures its energy, beauty, and unique character. We would start with a hike in Griffith Park up to the Hollywood Sign, followed by the Griffith Observatory for those breathtaking views. We would also head to Topanga for canyon hikes and drive along the coast to Malibu for an unforgettable sunset.

During the week, we’d rent bikes to ride from Santa Monica to Marina del Rey, stop by the Venice Canals, and catch the sunset at the Santa Monica Pier. I’d also make sure to visit The Grove and the Farmers Market, and head to Kenneth Hahn State Recreation Area for one of the best views of downtown. For nature lovers, a day trip to Joshua Tree and a visit to Red Rock Canyon are essentials. To finish the week on a perfect note, we’d go to the Studio City Farmers Market on Sunday for fresh strawberry juice and French pastries—a little taste of home—before relaxing at The Huntington Library and Botanical Gardens.

Website: https://www.sklae.com

Instagram: @sklae_photographer

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SklaePhotographer/

Image Credits
Sklaerenn Lorand