Lara Zankoul is a fine art photographer, visual artist, and art director whose work has captured global attention for its surreal storytelling and emotional depth. Based in Beirut, Lebanon, Lara Zankoul has built an international career through imagination, discipline, and a strong belief in following her creative instincts. Her journey is one of courage, patience, and inspiration, showing how passion can reshape an entire life.
Where the Journey Began
Lara Zankoul did not begin her career in the arts. She studied economics at university and followed a practical and structured path early in life. At that time, photography was not a career plan but a growing interest that slowly demanded more space in her life. While studying and later working in economics, she felt a strong desire to express ideas visually.
At the age of twenty one, Lara Zankoul purchased her first professional camera. This single decision changed her direction completely. Photography became a way for her to explore thoughts, emotions, and questions that could not be expressed through numbers or reports. What started as curiosity quickly turned into a serious passion.
A Self Taught Creative Path
Lara Zankoul is largely self taught. She took only one photography course during her academic years, choosing instead to learn through practice, observation, and experimentation. She spent long hours studying light, composition, and storytelling, constantly testing new ideas and improving her technical skills.
For several years, Lara Zankoul balanced a professional career in economics with her growing commitment to photography. This period was demanding, but it helped her understand discipline and time management. Eventually, the creative pull became impossible to ignore. She made the bold decision to leave her stable career and fully commit to photography. It was a risk filled with uncertainty, but it allowed her to focus completely on building her artistic voice.
Creating Images Beyond Reality
What sets Lara Zankoul apart is her approach to photography. She does not simply capture moments. She designs them. Each photograph begins with a concept that reflects human behavior, emotions, or inner experiences. She then transforms these ideas into physical scenes by building sets, directing models, and carefully shaping the lighting.
Her images often feel dreamlike and surreal, yet they are created using real elements. Lara Zankoul prefers to construct scenes in real space rather than rely heavily on digital effects. This process demands precision, patience, and careful planning, but it gives her work a sense of realism that makes the surreal feel believable.
The Role of Water and Symbolism
Water plays a central role in many of Lara Zankoul’s most recognized works. She has created complex setups using custom built water tanks to capture scenes that exist both above and below the surface. These images often represent emotional depth, hidden thoughts, and the contrast between what people show and what they feel.
The use of water is not only visually striking but also deeply symbolic. Lara Zankoul uses it as a storytelling tool, encouraging viewers to reflect on their own inner worlds. Her work invites people to pause, observe, and interpret meaning in their own way.
Recognition and Career Milestones
Lara Zankoul’s dedication and originality have earned her international recognition. She received the Broncolor GenNext Award in 2019, a respected honor that supports photographers with strong creative vision. In 2021, she was selected as a finalist for the Hasselblad Award, placing her among leading photographers from around the world.
Most recently, she marked another important milestone with the publication of her first photo book in collaboration with Snap Collective, further cementing her presence within the global contemporary photography scene. Her photographs have been exhibited in multiple international spaces and shared widely across creative platforms. These achievements are especially meaningful considering her self taught background and the challenges of building a global career from Lebanon.
Fashion Photography and Visual Direction
In addition to fine art photography, Lara Zankoul is also active in fashion photography through her account lazanks. In this space, she combines artistic storytelling with fashion aesthetics, creating images that feel expressive, bold, and modern.
As an art director and visual artist, Lara Zankoul often leads projects from concept development to final execution. She collaborates with creative teams through Deleted Scenes Studios and is represented by Local Vice. These partnerships allow her to expand her creative reach while maintaining full control over her artistic identity.
Challenges and Personal Growth
Lara Zankoul’s journey has not been without struggle. Working as an artist in Lebanon comes with economic, logistical, and creative challenges. Limited resources and instability can make long term planning difficult. However, Lara Zankoul has used these obstacles as motivation rather than limitation.
She learned to adapt, to be resourceful, and to trust her ideas even when conditions were uncertain. These experiences shaped her resilience and strengthened her voice as an artist. Her success reflects years of perseverance rather than sudden recognition.
Teaching and Giving Back
Sharing knowledge is an important part of Lara Zankoul’s life. She has conducted photography workshops and educational sessions, helping aspiring photographers understand both technical skills and conceptual thinking. She encourages young creatives to focus on originality and personal storytelling rather than following trends.
Through her social media presence on larazankoul, she shares behind the scenes moments, creative processes, and glimpses of her everyday life. This openness has helped her connect with a global audience who see her not just as an artist, but as a real person navigating creativity and life.
Lifestyle Rooted in Art
Lara Zankoul’s lifestyle reflects her creative mindset. Whether she is working in the studio, planning new projects, or exploring locations, creativity remains central to her daily routine. She finds inspiration in architecture, cities, people, and quiet moments of reflection.
Her life and work show that creativity does not exist separately from everyday living. It grows from observation, experience, and curiosity.
Why Lara Zankoul Inspires Others
Lara Zankoul’s story carries powerful lessons. She proves that a creative career does not require a perfect beginning. Self belief, consistency, and courage can shape a meaningful path. Her journey shows that struggles can refine vision rather than weaken it.
From an economics graduate to an internationally recognized visual artist, Lara Zankoul demonstrates what is possible when passion leads the way.
Looking Ahead
Lara Zankoul continues to explore new ideas and expand her visual language. Her focus remains on storytelling, emotional depth, and pushing creative boundaries. Each new project reflects growth, curiosity, and commitment to authenticity.
As her journey continues, Lara Zankoul stands as an inspiring figure for artists and dreamers around the world, reminding them that imagination, when pursued with honesty and effort, can transform lives.
Do follow her on Instagram
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