Lalou and Joaquin each grew up in epicenters of American bohemian counter-culture with single moms who raised them on artistic pursuits and health food, back when health food was still considered weird. And they both credit their mothers with introducing them to film at an early age —  Joaquin to the world of independent films at the Art Cinema in Boulder and Lalou with the films of the French New Wave and Black American cinema from the Woodstock Video Store.

Joaquin went on to NYU film school, where he learned that you should never agree to live on the set where you’re shooting the film (but you should definitely get as many free meals on set as possible!) It’s also where he developed a knack for cinematography and shot the Oscar-nominated film The Lady in Waiting during his senior year. Lalou went on to Princeton, where she learned to bend filmmaking rules with experimental film scholar P. Adams Sitney, to play with storytelling conventions with innovative author Paul Auster, and to frame stories visually under the tutelage of master photographer Emmet Gowin. She also studied Mandarin for 4 years because she secretly wanted to be a spy.

After college, Joaquin and Lalou each plunged into the exciting world of independent film, crisscrossing the global festival circuit and living precariously on the fumes of low-budgets and promised back-end participation.  Along the way Joaquin shot the cult comedy classic Super Troopers, the critically acclaimed films We Own the Night and Two Lovers for James Gray, and Mike Mills’ debut feature, Thumbsucker.

Since joining forces as a creative team, Lalou & Joaquin have directed award-winning campaigns for leading global brands with accolades at Cannes, The Clios, a DGA Nomination, AICP, D&AD, Ciclope, Addys, and The One Show, amongst others.  Their versatile style includes documentary campaigns often starring real people; visual spots often with crafted in-camera effects; and playful storytelling campaigns often featuring comedic actors with a bent for improv. Joaquin is the cinematographer on all of their work, and they also frequently shoot the stills portion of their campaigns (and the socials, sometimes with the new iPhone rig Joaquin created and just may patent per a client’s recent suggestion!)

The comedy tv pilot they directed Rick Younger Presents The Rick Younger Show, Starring Rick Younger As Rick Younger, won best pilot at 2023 NY Webfest, and was one of 4 pilots selected for the 2024 Harlem International Film Festival. Lalou and Joaquin are currently in post-production on a feature documentary set in the world of British electronic music.  Lalou & Joaquin run the Craftwork Collaborative mentorship program for young creatives and they both live in New York City with their families.