Today we’d like to introduce you to Julianne Lindsey.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I inherited a 35mm camera when my grandfather passed away. My mom encouraged me to learn how to use it and signed me up for a summer photography class. I didn’t put the camera down for about 20 more years.
While going to college and studying photography, I took an internship with a photo studio called Docuvitae in Los Angeles, where I lived at the time. After 6 months of organizing negatives in a closet, they told me I could work there full time when I graduated! I was ecstatic. They didn’t mind my mohawk and short skirts. I could work there late at night editing. I worked with Laura for 6 years. She is my biggest photography and business mentor, for which I am eternally grateful.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
I moved to Detroit on a whim, answering a calling maybe, 14 years ago. I developed my own photography business by accident. I actually had tried to leave photography behind and take up painting instead. All that happened is that I became parents with a painter, and we have a wonderful, beautiful daughter and a fun family. When I moved to Detroit, my friend who I had met in 2010 told me not to worry, he knew of a little house I could squat in. Everything would be fine. A month before taking the Greyhound over, I decided to find a backup option and rented an art studio in an old jail. I figured I could sleep in the jail cell studio if things got sketchy. 24 hour access and internet, I’d be fine. The art studio was part of 555 Nonprofit Gallery and Studios, and part of the deal was to volunteer, so I did the one thing I could think of—photography. After a while people started asking me to photograph their events, too. So that’s how I started my own photography business.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about J. Lindsey Photography?
I especially love photographing corporate speaking engagements like conferences. I just love the challenge of capturing a person speaking at just the right moment and angle to make them look like the President. I see the goodness and beauty in every person and love to share their beauty through photos. For that reason, I also really love doing professional headshot photos. Especially of people who hate cameras and feel they are not “photogenic.” I can usually prove them wrong! I also personally don’t like being in front of a camera, so I can relate, and always try to make the experience as quick, fun and painless as possible.
Now, as the owner of J. Lindsey Photography, I’m not the only one taking the photos. But the mission is always the same— we strive to create real connection and beautiful documentation in our photography to augment the projects and businesses in our community. We love our client’s stories, their challenges and successes. And it is an honor to be a part of their journey.
I will add one more thing; as an employer of mostly women in the Detroit area, I seek to create a flexible work environment that meets employees where they are at, while being efficient in delivering an excellent product. Through workplace design and thoughtful communication, we can give each other grace and joy that is reflected in our photography!
So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
Send me an email!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.jlindseyphotos.com
- Instagram: @jlindseyphotos
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jlindseyphotos/
