Meet Scott (SKOT) Praun | Photographer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Scott (SKOT) Praun and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Scott (SKOT), what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I grew up with a point-and-shoot camera, and my dad would often hand down his old cameras to me. Photography was never serious back then—it was just fun. I was always the one in my friend group taking photos while we were skating or biking.

Years later, I was working long hours as a manager in the restaurant industry and feeling completely burnt out. I needed an outlet. When COVID hit, I suddenly had free time, and around the same period I started dating my wife. To impress her, our early dates often involved going out and shooting photos. I asked my dad if I could borrow his old Nikon DSLR, and slowly, I fell back in love with photography. It gave me that same feeling of freedom I remembered as a kid.

As time went on, the work started to grow. I didn’t have a formal plan—and honestly, I still don’t. What I did have was a desire to feel free and to build a life around something I truly loved. That’s what ultimately led me to start my own business.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I’ve put a lot of time into developing myself and my craft. From the beginning, I wanted my photography to stand out. I wanted people to see my work and feel excited about the possibility of working together. That journey wasn’t easy. Countless hours were poured into learning, practicing, and refining my style. Along the way, I learned to accept criticism and use it constructively to grow. Being a perfectionist, I naturally set high expectations for myself, which has pushed me to continuously improve.

I got to where I am today by putting in the work, showing up consistently, being personable, and genuinely connecting with people. Talent can open doors, but relationships, reliability, and professionalism are what keep those doors open.

Over time, photography has become about much more than taking a beautiful picture. It’s about connecting with people, understanding their vision, and bringing it to life. Whether I’m working with a brand, documenting an event, or capturing a personal milestone, I want the experience to be just as meaningful as the final images.

At the end of the day, I want to create photographs that people look back on years later and remember exactly how they felt in that moment. Happy….. If there’s one thing I want people to know about me and my brand, it’s that I care deeply about the people I work with and the stories they’re trusting me to tell. Creating lasting memories is what inspires me most, and that’s what continues to drive my work every day.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I’m a food person. I’ve worked in the hospitality industry for over 12 years, so any itinerary I put together is going to revolve around great food.

My first stop would be Bone Kettle in Pasadena. The food is fantastic, and every person I’ve taken there ends up texting me the next time they go. I’ll admit, I get a little jealous every time. While I’m in Pasadena, I’d also have to stop by Home Brewed for a coffee or tea.

Another must-do is grabbing a sandwich at Philippe The Original before a Dodgers game. It’s one of those classic Los Angeles experiences that never gets old. After the game, we’d head over to Little Tokyo for some late-night ramen. Honestly, it’s hard to go wrong—there are so many great spots to choose from.

As for places to experience, we’d start the day at El Matador Beach and then cruise down Pacific Coast Highway, stopping wherever looks interesting along the way. We’d spend some time people-watching in Venice, taking in all the characters and energy that make the area unique.

To end the day, we’d head up to Angel’s Point to catch a Los Angeles sunset before walking around Downtown LA at night. As a photographer, there’s something special about the city after dark. The lights, the architecture, and the people all come together to create endless opportunities for street photography.

For me, that’s the perfect Southern California day—great food, beautiful views, good company, and a camera in hand.

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 someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
First, I’d like to give a shoutout to Reverie. She’s brought me along to countless events and shows and has given me opportunities that I never would have experienced otherwise. More importantly, she’s been a huge supporter of my photography and videography journey, constantly encouraging me to be creative and push myself as an artist.

I’d also like to thank my dad. He’s been my biggest supporter from day one. From buying me cameras when I was younger to checking in on every project and celebrating every booking and great shot, he’s always believed in me. I honestly don’t think I would have gotten into photography without his encouragement and support.

Lastly, my wife Lauren—my favorite model and biggest cheerleader. She’s the person who encouraged me to take photography seriously and pursue it as more than just a hobby. She supports every opportunity that comes my way, even when it means I’m gone for days at a time shooting events like Formula 1 while she holds things down at home with our toddler. Her love, patience, and unwavering support mean everything to me, and I truly wouldn’t be where I am today without her.

Website: https://Skotmedia.com

Instagram: Skot_media