JW: You reside in Biarritz, France, an area that has a deep surfing history. Does living there influence your surfing and how you approach your photographic work and art?
TL: Yes, I moved here ten years ago for all these reasons. Biarritz is a unique place with a lot of history that still shines through in its architecture and the way the city was built. I was inspired by its landscapes, incredible lights, waves, and history. All of this still influences my life and my photography today. Côte des Basques is iconic, and even if many things have distorted it, I am nonetheless inspired to surf where it all started in 1956. My only regret is not being born at the right time!

JW: How do you measure success as an artist, and what goals do you have for your future work?
TL: The most gratifying rewards are being approached by a brand to contribute my skills or receiving requests for prints of my work for people's homes. As a freelancer, I find it difficult to quantify success, but that's part of this lifestyle's beauty and challenge. I constantly feel the need to reinvent myself, but I wouldn't have it any other way—I'm deeply committed to this path and can't imagine doing anything else for now. I'm eager to delve further into what inspires me, broadening my horizons by blending various mediums to keep things fresh and fun!

JW: Do artists have a specific role in society today?
TL: Artists have multiple roles to fulfill. Each one creates based on what they want to express, and art has countless avenues of expression.  Some art exists to illuminate and allow us to revel in the beauty of the world, while others may carry a weightier message, serving to expose and confront issues. However, in a broader sense, artists are here to portray the world in all its facets—its beauty and its harsh realities.

JW: What experience has been most influential in developing the direction of your work
TL: My first trip to California solidified all the images, inspirations, and desires I had cultivated since childhood through magazines, films, photographs, etc.… It felt like a pilgrimage, a profound revelation that encapsulated everything I had imagined and longed for.

JW: What excites you about joining the July Wetsuits project?
TL: Collaborating with Dane (Peterson) has been one of my most enriching experiences. His photography and surfing have always been influential for the tall French enthusiast that I am. Working with him on the best wetsuit products I've ever encountered, with a talented team of people has been incredibly inspiring. When work intersects with friendship, it feels like the pinnacle of freedom and creativity!