Photographer In Focus: Lindsay Linton Buk
Lindsay Linton Buk is a Photographer Based in Jackson, Wyoming, USA
Amy first met Lindsay at an event in Jackson, WY where we have been working for several months this year. Lindsay is currently working on her Women in Wyoming project. Her studio is located in Jackson and Lindsay states, “Throughout Wyoming’s history, its women have been brave, strong, and impactful. The mission of Women in Wyoming is to tell the inspiring stories of contemporary Wyoming women through art and media, celebrating their achievements, power, and learned wisdom.” So what better person to be the next Photographer in Focus than Lindsay Linton Buk!
The Women in Wyoming multimedia exhibit debuts at the Buffalo Bill Center of the West (BBCW) in Cody, Wyoming on October 26, 2019 to August 2, 2020. The exhibit includes large-scale portraits, an audio soundscape, and interactive storytelling components.
The BBCW includes five museums and is accredited by the American Alliance of Museums. The BBCW is the only Wyoming affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution.
Thank you Lindsay for taking time to share with RedDotBlueDot readers!
Five Foto Facts
First camera: Disposable
Favorite camera: Contax 645 w/80mm Zeiss lens
Photographer who has most inspired you: Rodney Smith
Favorite travel destination: Mexico
One place left on your travel bucket list: Africa to see the rhinos
Photograph by: Lindsay Linton Buk
The Interview
RDBD: Tell me a little bit about yourself. What do readers need to know about you to get to know you? What is your personal, professional, and photography background?
L.L.B.: I’m an artist, photographer and fifth-generation Wyoming native from Powell, Wyoming, currently living in Jackson Hole. After earning my bachelor’s degree in History from Middlebury College, I returned to Wyoming to study photographic communications at Northwest College in my hometown. I worked for my photography idol, Rodney Smith, in NYC, as well as for headshot and portrait photographer, entrepreneur and educator, Peter Hurley.
I spent a summer living and teaching in some of our nation’s national parks for Canon’s Photography in the Parks program. In addition to my commercial and portrait work through my business, Linton Productions, I also travel thousands of miles to create a documentary project called Women in Wyoming, where I illuminate bold, strong and impactful Wyoming women who make their mark in the Cowboy State through portrait photography, podcast interviews, an upcoming multimedia exhibit and eventual book.
RDBD: What type of photography do you consider your primary genre and why? What does it mean to you? How did you become focused on this area of photography?
L.L.B.: I consider myself a portrait artist because to me, portraiture is all about energy, connection and learning. I love the process of getting to know my subjects, understanding what drives and excites them, then translating that energy and spirit into a photograph.
I especially love creating space for women to feel comfortable to own their confidence and capture their strength through an image. And I love that my work now primarily consists of working with impactful women through my commercial work, as well as with my amazing subjects in Women in Wyoming.
RDBD: How did you become focused on portraiture?
L.L.B.: My focus on portraiture evolved naturally. While I was earning my photo degree, my images were more conceptual and less focused on the individual I was photographing. My first major mentor, Rodney Smith, encouraged me to be more vulnerable as an artist, and I continually think of his advice to get closer to my subject and create a beautiful image. My main NYC apprenticeship was working for headshot and portrait photographer, entrepreneur, and educator, Peter Hurley. I spent a year and a half running his studio and learning, in a very fast-paced environment, how to operate a business, work with people, and create a modern portrait for your client.
He empowered me and taught me a tangible skill that has been my main platform to grow. Because of that foundation, I’ve been able to expand my artistry into other realms, specifically through the creation of Women in Wyoming.
While my workflow varies with how I photograph my commercial clients vs. how I produce the project– digital vs. film, styled vs. documentary – my mission is always to capture a sense of truth, energy, spirit and strength in my subjects and their portraits.
RDBD: What motivates you as a photographer? Specifically, why is photography important in your life? When you are tired of shooting, what gets you out the door anyway?
L.L.B.: I love that photography is a vehicle for freedom and autonomy as a creative. I love the business side of photography and being self-sufficient. It also fulfills my need to create and my love to connect and work with amazing people. My first passion was dance, and after I completed my Bachelors degree, I moved to L.A. to pursue dance as a career. I quickly realized I was more entrepreneurially wired and thrive on the ability to influence the course of my life. Deciding to go back to school for photography was a spontaneous decision and one that continues to unfold in amazing ways.
Photography has also been an amazing avenue for me to explore other realms of storytelling. Because I always naturally interview my clients to best understand them for their portrait or portfolio, the process of interviewing evolved into the podcast component of Women in Wyoming. I’ve loved the challenge of learning the art of interviewing, while also formally capturing my subject’s voices and adding a layer of depth and information to their story through the interview process.
RDBD: When you are tired of shooting, what gets you out the door?
L.L.B.: When I am lacking inspiration, I like to surround myself with art and music or get outside and move. Stepping away seems to be what allows me to be more expansive and let ideas and energy flow more naturally.
RDBD: Please tell me why you chose the image to submit as your one image. What meaning does the image have to you?
L.L.B.: This is an image of cowgirl and ranching matriarch Mickey Thoman, who I featured in Chapter III: POWER of Women in Wyoming. Mickey is 90 years old and runs her ranch with her three daughters from the middle of the desert in Wyoming. I heard about Mickey and her amazing story of resilience and connection to the land, her family and animals and had to work with her for the project. When I called to set up her profile, it just so happened she and her family were leaving the following week for sheep camp, where they herd and sort their flock of 2,000 sheep from their summer to winter pasture. They invited me to join, document and of course, work the event.
I love this moment with Mickey because it was unplanned, yet her grit, strength and warmth shine through – it’s why she is still the matriarch of her ranch and why she has the tenacity, drive and passion to keep moving forward.
RDBD: In an era where everyone has a smartphone and selfies and micro-blogging daily activities are quickly becoming the norm, why does traditional photography still matter?
L.L.B.: I believe the greater mission of connection, vision and telling an impactful story will always be most valuable, and something the camera alone or the way we experience the media today will never replace.
RDBD: What photographer would you like to see answer these questions and recommend RDBD contact to be featured?
L.L.B.: Tawni Bannister [my photo classmate at Northwest College in Powell, WY] – up and coming fashion/advertising photographer in LA and NYC http://www.tawnibannister.com/
Lindsey Ross –Wet plate collodion fine art photographer, amazing artist and woman! https://www.lindseyrossphoto.com/
Abby Ross—I don’t know her personally but admire her work and ability to cross borders in commercial, documentary and editorial portraiture; an amazing young female artist: http://www.abbyross.com/
Contact Lindsay Linton Buk:
Lindsay Linton Buk
Website: Lintonproductions.com and WomeninWyoming.com
Instagram: @lintonproductions @womeninwyo
Facebook: @womeninwyoming