The Body Is a Story
A conversation with artist Lou Lauren on tenderness, transition, and the emotional connection to self-expression through clothing.
On the final day of Pride, we’re highlighting Brooklyn-based artist and photographer Lou Lauren (they/them), whose work captures the nuances of identity, embodiment, and sensuality through analog film.
As a trans and queer creative, Lou’s world is one shaped by movement across continents, mediums, gender, and light. Their portraits, often quiet and intimate, offer a window into the internal: the rituals that ground us, the silhouettes that express us, and the skin we move through the world in. We’re honored to close out Pride month by sharing their story.
Can you introduce yourself and share a little bit about your world?
My name is Lou Lauren (they/them) and I am a Greek-American queer trans artist located in Brooklyn, NY. I mainly focus on analog photography, both 35mm and medium format, and am predominantly self-taught. I use portraiture to explore themes of sensuality, intimacy, queerness, and the complexities of being human using the body as a metaphor and light, form, and abstraction to tell the stories the body holds. I am also a climate and sustainability advocate co-founded a community trash clean up organization here in Brooklyn called Club Canned and in 2024.
How did you first get into photography?
I’d say I was always playing with cameras as a child taking pictures with the family point and shoot in the 90s, but I really got back into photography as an artistic practice when I picked up a Canon AV1 35mm on a sibling trip with my sister in Marrakech back in 2015.
What currently inspires you?
Nature and mythology. I am currently really interested in the intersection between ancient mythologies and how people depicted nature, beauty, love, gender and sexuality in that time period.
“I’m interested in the way mythology reflects how we once saw love, beauty, and gender, and how that echoes still live in us now.”
How would you describe your personal style in three words?
Fluid, Retro, Eclectic
How has your approach to getting dressed evolved over time?
My gender identity as a trans nonbinary person has altered and influenced my approach to how I dress. I am most interested in feeling embodied by and good in what I wear which is partly influenced by fashion aesthetics but also the fluidity of my gender. Some days I wear a short crop top and high waisted jeans inspired by more feminine cuts and other days I will wear a structured slack and a boxy plain T shirt inspired by masculine fashion aesthetics. That said, I think I am currently obsessed with 70s - 80s aesthetics and mixing it with contemporary cuts.
“The impact of shadows on the human body is something I find visually and emotionally striking.”
Do you think about sun protection when getting dressed? Has that changed over the years?
Yes! I grew up as a young child in the Mojave Desert in southern Utah, and as a teenager in Athens, Greece where the UV exposure is high. I love, love, love the sun, but my knowledge of climate change and how that has affected the atmosphere has made me more cautious to be out at peak hours. In addition, I recently had top surgery and I have to protect those beautiful scars. This is one of the main reasons I was excited for Shade UV to launch this t-shirt!
Is there a particular place, texture, or sensory experience that influences your work or personal aesthetic?
Shadows and the feeling of the sun. Most of my work is in black and white and the impact of shadows on the human body is something I find visually and emotionally striking.
“My knowledge of climate change and how that has affected the atmosphere has made me more cautious…”
Do you have any rituals that keep you grounded?
Music, meditation, body practices of all sorts including yoga and Brazilian jiu jitsu, and of course taking liking images pictures of people.
What’s something you’re currently obsessed with—be it a book, a recipe, a song, or a place?
This is such a great question and there are so many things, to be honest, but I will limit myself. My current most top played artist on Spotify is an Argentinian experimental Trap & Electronic duo named CA7RIEL & Paco Amoroso. They bring a lot of joy to the current chaos of the world.
Follow Lou’s Work
To see more of Lou Lauren’s photography and stay connected with their creative journey, you can follow along at @stayweirdfilm on Instagram and visit their portfolio at louisestellalauren.com.
Notes to the Reader
This is our first Sessions piece. Sessions is a series where we step deeper into our community by exploring the people, the ideas, and the reflections that build up the Shade universe. We’re grateful to Lou for their vulnerability, their vision, and for reminding us that getting dressed is never just about the clothes we wear.
Keep exploring.
Discover more stories, reflections, and real-life moments inside our growing archive.