Bio + Contact

Lara Aqel is an Atlanta and New York based female cinematographer / director of photography. Her specialties include: narrative films • commercials • music videos • branded content • documentary • lifestyle

photo by Alice Plati

Lara is an Arab-American narrative and commercial cinematographer.

She AIMS to make imagery grounded in emotion and a sense of place. “A director’s DP,” she puts character and story first when she collaborates and FOCUSES ON BUILDING IMMERSIVE VISUAL WORLDS ACROSS GenreS. HER favorite thing is capturing - and staying out of the way of - a powerful performance. LARA spends most of her days trying to craft, find, and photograph moments THAT FEEL HUMAN.

Lara was born in Jordan, IMMIGRATED TO the US, and attended film school in the Czech Republic and Australia. Her often-”new kid” status HAS helped develop her deep empathy and her skills as a photographic observer. She adores ambitious directors, creative challenges, and opportunities to play with genre.

Lara IS BASED OUT OF ATLANTA AND NEW YORK. SHE IS AVAILABLE WORLDWIDE.

ASSOCIATIONS

International collective of female cinematographers [ICFC]

cinematographersXX

PERSONAL CONTACT

LARA@LARAAQEL.COM

973-902-1494

REPRESENTED BY

ALEXANDER CREATIVES

REUBEN STAUBER

reuben@alexandercreatives.com

516-509-8776

SELECTED AWARDS INCLUDE:

WINNER, CMT AWARDS - FEMALE VIDEO OF THE YEAR - LAINEY WILSON “HEART LIKE A TRUCK” DIR. ELIZABETH OLMSTEAD

CINEQUEST - WINNER, BEST NARRATIVE SHORT: COMEDY - “POZOLE” DIR. JESSICA MENDEZ-SIQUEIROS

LAS CRUCES - WINNER, BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY, BEST NARRATIVE SHORT - “ADELINE THE GREAT” DIR. JESSICA MENDEZ-SIQUEIROS

CANNES LIONS - WINNER, BRONZE - “BLACK MAKES A WAY” DIR. J.M. HARPER

photo by Danny Scott Lane