this photographer produced the first official calendar of the Catholic Church

In just three weeks, Clarisse de Lauriston produced twelve illustrative photos for the official Church calendar. A challenge for this Parisian native, living in Aix-les-Bains for four years.

“It was a challenge because I have a Catholic background, but I don’t go to mass every Sunday”confides Clarisse de Lauriston, photographer based in Aix-les-Bains (Savoie) for four years. The forty-year-old, sunny and relaxed, signed the twelve photos of the first official calendar of the Catholic Church in France. A project which is not trivial, because the calendar has reached the hands of Pope Francis.

It was following a call for tenders that this collaboration was born. “I work with a lot of modesty, gentleness and kindness. And I think that’s what they liked, because they charged me with highlighting the Church in this calendar”adds Clarisse de Lauriston.

A major challenge, in record time. The photographer had three weeks to take the twelve photos. This is why all of them were captured in the region. “We had to meet a lot of people and take thousands of photos”she specifies. Each of the selected photographs “conveys a message that the Church gives, like: light, charity, benevolence or even generosity”.

“This photo is everyone’s favorite”enthuses Clarisse de Lauriston, her eyes riveted on the photo of the Madonna, located at the top of the small bell tower of Portalet, in the Mont-Blanc massif. This illustrates the month of January in the calendar. “It was my whim, I contacted a guide in the Chamonix valley and I had to put on a harness, ropes and put myself in a little danger”details the original Parisienne. A risk-taking that was worth it given the depth and strength that the photography exudes.

Among the other places to find in the calendar: the cathedral of Chambéry, the Notre-Dame-de-l’Assomption church in Conflans or the grounds of the Grande Chartreuse monastery.

Highlight people in the shadows

“I work for the Church as I can work for construction sites; in the high mountains or for families.” But what Clarisse de Lauriston particularly likes about photography is telling beautiful stories and above all “highlight all the people in the shadows”essential in the organization of events or the construction of buildings. “To build bridges so that skiers can reach a resort, there are people who work in the cold. It is these people that we cannot see that I want to highlight.”

“I discovered the high mountains, and it almost became a drug.” This is how in 2021 Clarisse de Lauriston leaves the capital to settle in Aix-les-Bains: “I told myself that it was the time, at 40, to change my life with my little daughter who was 10 years old at the time.” Her choice fell on the Riviera des Alpes for its peaceful setting, but above all, because she wanted “to be as close as possible to my beloved mountains, and to be able to go there whenever I want”she confides.

However, leaving Paris meant losing many of his clients. “When I arrived here, I said to myself: at worst, if it doesn’t work, I’ll go back to Paris. In the end, the people were so friendly that it took off on its own.” Before concluding: “When you’re really passionate, it always works.”