An Interview with Lindsey L33

Published on 13 March 2017

Lindsey Lee is a visual artist, based in Austin, Texas. She is most well-known for shooting fashion, music, and lifestyle photos, but she is also an art director and cinematographer. As a lifestyle and fashion photographer, she shoots colorful, vibrant youth culture fantasies. Her work has been commissioned by magazines, international brands, and even Emma Roberts. We had a small talk with Lindsey about her photography experience, favorite cameras and plans for the future.

Tell us briefly about yourself and how did you first got into photography?
I'm a visual artist based in Austin, Texas.  I've been shooting photos since I was a kid and started shooting fashion during my undergrad studies.

How would you describe your overall aesthetic and who are the people in your photographs?
My aesthetic is raw, and the people in my photographs are my muses.

What camera do you prefer to use mostly and why?

I use a lot of different cameras: 35mm, Polaroid, and Instax, but my favorite is a Canon Rebel 35mm.  Film demands careful planning and solid execution.  I think it takes more talent to shoot film, and I think it makes me consider my frames more carefully.  I've always preferred film.

Where do you live and how does it influence your work?

Austin is a beautiful place full of beautiful people.  I'm a Texas girl, and I think it influences my work in that I can appreciate both bustling metropoli and wide-open empty landscapes. 

What is the most difficult or challenging aspect about being a photographer in 2017?

It's hard to have your own vision when there's so much cool content coming from every nook of the internet.  It can sometimes even be hard to define what makes your work different or worth creating.

What fascinates you about the art world today and who are your main inspirations?

I think the idea of ownership is very interesting.  My biggest inspirations are Picasso, Juergen Teller, and Quentin Tarantino.

What does your latest work say about yourself, on a professional and personal level?

"Let's be original."

Which photographers have been the most influential to you?

Juergen Teller, Harley Weir, Olivia Malone

Your photographs look so alive like some kind of documentary. How do you create these moments?

I like to create a scene and then live in the moment of that scene and see what can be created.  I think It's important to create real moments, and I'm happy they feel like a documentary because in a lot of ways they are.

Which artists, designers or models would you like to collaborate with?

I would love to shoot Rihanna.  She's so inspirational, and I love that she is so authentically original.  Chloe and Marc Jacobs have had a substantial influence on the development of my aesthetic, and it would be a dream to shoot a campaign for either.  

What upcoming projects can we expect to see from you? 

Right now I'm working on finishing my next book / zine - I'm trying to finish it by the end of the year.  I'm also working on a documentary about modern communication and looking for participants between the ages of 20-30 in LA, NYC, and Austin.  It's going to be released sometime in the fall.

Take a peek at some of our favourite works of Lindsey in gallery below and see more on her website

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