About Me
Photography has always been my passion. When I try to remember the first photos I took, I see myself at family parties where I asked permission to borrow the "grown-ups" compact camera. I was proud to be able to immortalize those who usually took photos of me. They were probably blurry and poorly framed, but it made me happy!
Then I also remember this little disposable camera that I had received before leaving for a ski holiday camp. I tried to photograph the beautiful landscapes of the Alps and my travel companions. It is impossible to forget the characteristic sound of the wheel that rewound the film into its cartridge and the stress of seeing the counter of remaining photos decrease at a crazy speed!
And then one day, my father lent me his film camera (in complete confidence!). I see myself at the bottom of the garden, trying to manually focus on a flower in the foreground, improvising an off-center framing...
Shy and reserved by nature, photography became my way of quietly joining others from a safe distance. Through the lens, I could capture a moment, a shimmer of light, a simple gesture, an expression, a feeling or a story that caught my attention. I also enjoyed experimenting with different settings to create images that truly reflected my vision.
It is primarily within the Legio XI reenactment group that my photographic practice has evolved. I am deeply grateful to all the members of the group who, since 2015, have endured being immortalized from every possible angle by an insatiable photographer who, using every kind of trick, does her best to blend into the scenery: whether draped in a palla, fluttering a fan, concealing herself behind a hat, crouching in a ruin, lying in the grass, hiding behind a fellow reenactor, half-veiled by a vexillum, fading into the smoke of a campfire, perched in a tree… or even accessorized with shiny jewelry, in a final act of camouflage!
This need for discovery, research, and experimentation has never left me and since the beginning of the year, I’ve been turning it into a bigger project, one that has already pushed me out of my comfort zone and will undoubtedly continue to do so.
Choosing a name for my business wasn’t easy. After much thought, I finally chose one that had been familiar to me for many years. When I was around 11 or 12, I used to create a small journal with the help of my parents. At the time, my father came up with the name 'Atelier Créalou'. Today, this name comes back to life, a nod to childhood memories but also the expression of a lasting approach: a passion for reportage, a sensitivity to detail and the desire to shed light on what deserves to be seen.
Also a Conservator-Restorer of ceramics and glass, working in the archaeological field, I wanted my logo to encompass everything. I am infinitely grateful to my big sister, who crafted a design that fits me perfectly (Graphic designer: Maud Rossi - La Perluette graphique). She took all my wishes into account, offering different options and alternatives to make it functional and impactful. She masterfully wove in all my passions and sensitivities, rising to the challenge of shaping the eclectic fusion that defines me. She successfully highlighted the four letters 'REAL', embedded in the name of my business, which can be interpreted in different ways and serves as the cornerstone of my work. The result of harmonizing the past and present, contributing to shaping the future...
I’m motivated by a genuine wish to make people happy and the thanks and kind words I receive truly mean a lot to me. I have a particular passion for portraits because they can show more than just how someone looks. Photography can seem like it’s all about the surface, and sometimes it is, but I always try to look for what’s real and quietly present underneath. Over time, seeing people’s reactions to their photos made me realize how much our self-perception can vary and evolve. Through this process, I’ve also learned to see and accept myself with more kindness.
A huge thought to those who appreciate my sensitivity, believe in me, and support me with kindness, respect and patience.
I want to highlight heritage, whether cultural or natural, as well as the people who contribute to their conservation and promotion within our society. I truly appreciate collaborating with those who are willing to be part of this journey with me. I hope you enjoy my photos as much as I enjoy taking them!
Lou
Then I also remember this little disposable camera that I had received before leaving for a ski holiday camp. I tried to photograph the beautiful landscapes of the Alps and my travel companions. It is impossible to forget the characteristic sound of the wheel that rewound the film into its cartridge and the stress of seeing the counter of remaining photos decrease at a crazy speed!
And then one day, my father lent me his film camera (in complete confidence!). I see myself at the bottom of the garden, trying to manually focus on a flower in the foreground, improvising an off-center framing...
Shy and reserved by nature, photography became my way of quietly joining others from a safe distance. Through the lens, I could capture a moment, a shimmer of light, a simple gesture, an expression, a feeling or a story that caught my attention. I also enjoyed experimenting with different settings to create images that truly reflected my vision.
It is primarily within the Legio XI reenactment group that my photographic practice has evolved. I am deeply grateful to all the members of the group who, since 2015, have endured being immortalized from every possible angle by an insatiable photographer who, using every kind of trick, does her best to blend into the scenery: whether draped in a palla, fluttering a fan, concealing herself behind a hat, crouching in a ruin, lying in the grass, hiding behind a fellow reenactor, half-veiled by a vexillum, fading into the smoke of a campfire, perched in a tree… or even accessorized with shiny jewelry, in a final act of camouflage!
This need for discovery, research, and experimentation has never left me and since the beginning of the year, I’ve been turning it into a bigger project, one that has already pushed me out of my comfort zone and will undoubtedly continue to do so.
Choosing a name for my business wasn’t easy. After much thought, I finally chose one that had been familiar to me for many years. When I was around 11 or 12, I used to create a small journal with the help of my parents. At the time, my father came up with the name 'Atelier Créalou'. Today, this name comes back to life, a nod to childhood memories but also the expression of a lasting approach: a passion for reportage, a sensitivity to detail and the desire to shed light on what deserves to be seen.
Also a Conservator-Restorer of ceramics and glass, working in the archaeological field, I wanted my logo to encompass everything. I am infinitely grateful to my big sister, who crafted a design that fits me perfectly (Graphic designer: Maud Rossi - La Perluette graphique). She took all my wishes into account, offering different options and alternatives to make it functional and impactful. She masterfully wove in all my passions and sensitivities, rising to the challenge of shaping the eclectic fusion that defines me. She successfully highlighted the four letters 'REAL', embedded in the name of my business, which can be interpreted in different ways and serves as the cornerstone of my work. The result of harmonizing the past and present, contributing to shaping the future...
I’m motivated by a genuine wish to make people happy and the thanks and kind words I receive truly mean a lot to me. I have a particular passion for portraits because they can show more than just how someone looks. Photography can seem like it’s all about the surface, and sometimes it is, but I always try to look for what’s real and quietly present underneath. Over time, seeing people’s reactions to their photos made me realize how much our self-perception can vary and evolve. Through this process, I’ve also learned to see and accept myself with more kindness.
A huge thought to those who appreciate my sensitivity, believe in me, and support me with kindness, respect and patience.
I want to highlight heritage, whether cultural or natural, as well as the people who contribute to their conservation and promotion within our society. I truly appreciate collaborating with those who are willing to be part of this journey with me. I hope you enjoy my photos as much as I enjoy taking them!
Lou
