Conversations with Lara Aqel

Today we’d like to introduce you to Lara Aqel.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I’ve always been interested in the idea of belonging—to other people, to other places.

My story is an immigrant story. I was born in Jordan and immigrated to the U.S. as a child. In many ways, I grew up between worlds. I attended so many different schools growing up that I developed a perpetual feeling of being “the new kid.”

Looking back, I think the circumstances of my life made me an observer. I studied people. I wanted to understand what shaped them, what they cared about, and what stories they carried. I wanted to pull back the curtain.

Today, I work as a cinematographer and director. Finding my way behind a camera gave me an outlet for that curiosity. It gave me permission to get close.

I’ve built a career shooting commercials, documentaries, music videos, and narrative films. I’ve been fortunate to live in a number of cities—including New York, Sydney, Prague, and Washington, D.C.—but these days I like calling Atlanta home.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It has not always been the smoothest road.

As I was graduating film school, all starry-eyed and full of promise, my body decided to quit on me. I was ultimately diagnosed with a rare autoimmune disease that made me question whether I’d be physically capable of pursuing the career I’d fallen in love with. Long hours on a film set can be punishing.

I remember making a deliberate decision: “It might not be forever, but I’ll do this for as long as I can because I love it so much.”

More than a decade later, I’m still here, with no signs of slowing down.

I’ve also experienced the economic uncertainty that comes with a freelance career, as well as tremendous personal loss and grief on my journey to motherhood. Those experiences have helped make me who I am. I’ve learned to cultivate patience, perspective, and tenderness. I’ve learned I’m more resilient than I could have ever imagined.

My life has repeatedly reminded me not to take opportunities—or people—for granted. Everything is precious and fleeting. This is not the dress rehearsal.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I work primarily as a cinematographer across commercials, documentaries, and narrative films. I also do more and more directing work.

What I love most about filmmaking is its potential to move people. To shake us out of auto-pilot, if only for a moment. I think there is so much universality to be found in the ultra specific, and that we are capable of more empathy than we give ourselves credit for. I’m drawn to capturing the moments that remind us what it actually feels like to be human.

I think my work is driven by a genuine curiosity about the inner lives of people. Crafting beautiful images matters to me, but it’s never the end goal on its own. I’m always trying to convey something emotionally true.

The projects I’m proudest of are the ones that leave people feeling something. Stylistically, I’m probably best known for heightened naturalism, human intimacy, and a sense of atmosphere. I love world-building and creating environments across genres that feel layered, specific, and resonant.

Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
I think we’re living through a moment where it’s easy to feel disconnected from one another.

Storytelling has the ability to remind us of our shared humanity. It’s important to remember that everyone is carrying a story we can’t fully see.

Empathy takes real work, but we’re all better off for it.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.laraaqel.com
• Instagram: @lara.aqel