We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Sklaerenn Lorand. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Sklaerenn below.
Hi Sklaerenn, thanks for joining us today. Can you tell us a bit about who your hero is and the influence they’ve had on you?
It is difficult for me to choose just one person, as several have had a profound impact on my journey.
To begin with, I think it is essential to mention the artist I admired most, both for his talent and for his humanity and determination: Grégory Lemarchal. A French singer whom I had the immense honor of meeting several times, his story left a deep mark on me. Diagnosed with cystic fibrosis, he had to fight his entire life against a disease that could have stopped him from pursuing his dreams. Yet he never gave up. While many told him he could never become a singer, he proved them wrong, becoming a true icon in France and across Europe.
I was 13 years old when I discovered him, an age when everything feels complicated and dreams seem out of reach. His story taught me that you should never give up, no matter the obstacles, no matter the people who doubt or judge you. What matters is believing in yourself and your worth. This lesson still follows me today in my career as a photographer: when I face challenges on set or moments of doubt in my work, I think of him and remind myself that perseverance is stronger than fear.
This brings me to another person who marked my life: one of the actors from the TV series One Tree Hill. Like many of my generation, I was deeply influenced by this show, which inspired me in countless ways. In 2012, I had the chance to meet one of the actors in Monaco while I was taking photos. His very first words were: “She takes great photos.” Since that encounter, he has played a key role as a mentor and source of support in my journey. He has always encouraged me to believe in myself and even actively helped me take steps toward fulfilling my dream of moving to Los Angeles.
Every time I doubted myself, he knew exactly what to say. More recently, I had the opportunity to work alongside him as a photographer at an event where he was a guest. When he learned that I had already worked on a film in Los Angeles after only a few months of being there, he wasn’t just happy for me—he was proud of me. When many doubt you, but someone so important in your life believes in you, that means everything.
Finally, my maternal grandfather, a discreet but essential figure in my life. He passed away the same year as Grégory, in 2007, a year that was not easy for me but one that shaped me and made me who I am today. When I was little, I didn’t realize the impact he had on me, but he was that wise and humble person, my pillar in the shadows. He always believed in me and loved me unconditionally. He shared everything he loved, taught me so many things… I miss him every day, but I know he is still here, somewhere, watching over me. From him, I inherited the values of humility and patience. My work is not just about capturing images, but about conveying emotion and respect—something he embodied so naturally.
They are all, in their own way, my heroes because I owe them my values, like the conviction to never give up. Each of them taught me perseverance, humility, and the importance of believing in myself, even when it feels impossible. My heroes gave me the strength to transform doubt into determination, and their influence lies at the very heart of everything I create.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I have been passionate about photography for over 20 years, starting with musical theater productions in Paris. It was there that I met several French actors and singers who became friends and encouraged me to believe in myself and pursue a career in photography. During my high school years, I had the incredible opportunity to go on tour with musical shows, an amazing experience. I loved capturing both performances and behind-the-scenes moments — the backstage world has always fascinated me. Curious and eager to learn, I later joined Icart Photography School in Paris to refine my skills.
I had the opportunity to work with many French artists, including Christophe Maé, Cécilia Cara, and David Ban, and to collaborate with several French directors, such as Julien Seri and Adam Phénix, notably on a commercial featuring world champion Ladji Doucouré. I also had the privilege of photographing international stars such as Ian Somerhalder, Millie Bobby Brown, Chad Michael Murray, Shantel Vansanten, Robert Knepper, and Noah Schnapp as the official photographer for People Con’.
It was thanks to People Con’ that I arrived in Los Angeles when the company decided to expand to the United States. Los Angeles has always been a dream for me, and the city inspires everything I do — its creativity, energy, and light are extraordinary.
I am particularly proud of my experience on the film Screamboat, alongside Steven LaMorte, David Howard Thornton, Tyler Posey, and Allison Pittel. It was my first film set in the U.S., and I was responsible for all the behind-the-scenes photography. Some of my images were published in the New York Post, SFX Magazine, and Variety, which I am extremely proud of. I also worked on the short film Always and For Never, written by Melissa Papel, where I was able to explore different lighting setups for each scene — a true technical and creative challenge.
More recently, I collaborated with fashion journalist Annabelle Kajbaf on the mini-series Tell Me Mode, exploring different styles and trends. My photos were published in Glamour US and Teen Vogue US, an incredible recognition of my work and my ability to excel across different genres.
Beyond photography, I have a deep love for nature and animals. I enjoy exploring the world, especially the extraordinary national parks in the United States. I could spend hours observing animals to capture THE perfect shot, even though nothing ever seems quite perfect enough for my own high standards. I have exhibited some of my travel photography in France, and I hope to showcase my work in Los Angeles soon.
I specialize in entertainment photography — concerts, theater, musicals, events, and music videos — and in Los Angeles, I would like to focus more on film sets. My experience with Screamboat confirmed this direction, while I still plan to continue photographing concerts and events.
What I am most proud of is obtaining my visa and now living in Los Angeles, which allowed me to capture unique moments like those on Screamboat. Another major achievement was working with Cécilia Cara, whom I admired since I was eight years old when I first saw her in Romeo and Juliet. Going from being a fan to working alongside her as a professional photographer is something my younger self could never have imagined.
What sets me apart, I believe, is my big heart and my high sensitivity. I love that every photo tells a story, evokes an emotion, and immortalizes unforgettable moments. For example, at a Decades Days event in Florida and Georgia, I photographed Chad Michael Murray and met a young fan who was deeply moved to meet him for the first time. Witnessing the emotion and authentic connection that a photo can create was incredibly touching and reminded me why I do this work.
According to the directors I’ve worked with on various projects, I have the ability to notice every detail while remaining discreet on set. I’ve often been told, “You’re everywhere and nowhere at the same time,” which, for a behind-the-scenes photographer, is the highest compliment.
Today, I am excited to work on new projects, capture new emotions, and share my vision with the world.
Are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?
I wish I had learned earlier, especially at photography school, how to promote my work, how to sell myself with confidence, and the different ways to sell my photos. I’ve also discovered, sometimes at my own expense, that honesty and sincerity are not always rewarded, which made me realize the importance of having contracts in place, especially in photography, where credits are often overlooked. After talking to many photographers, we all shared this experience. If I could offer one piece of advice, it would be to educate yourself on your rights, especially when working in a country that is not your own.
What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?
My goal is to continue working on film sets, refining my skills with each project. I also hope to have the opportunity to work on a TV series one day, a field that fascinates me and would allow me to capture new emotions and moments every day. Through my work, I also aim to earn a comfortable living so that I can help those in need, whether it’s people facing difficulties or animals in distress. In France, I was a volunteer first aid responder with the Red Cross, and I would love to continue contributing in this way here.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://www.sklae.com
- Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/sklae_photographer
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SklaePhotographer/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sklaerenn-lorand
Image Credits
Sklaerenn LORAND