MPB Meets: Music and Lifestyle Photographer Lindsey Byrnes

From her early days of shooting skaters in California to going on tour with Paramore and Tegan and Sara, Lindsey Byrnes has a wealth of experience in photography. We spoke with the music and entertainment photographer about her creative approach and the greatest moments throughout her career.

Read on to learn more.

MPB: Can you tell us about the beginning of your career, including shooting the California skate scene and working for Thrasher Magazine?

LB: I took my first and only photography class in 2002. I wanted to learn how to use a camera, develop film, and print. I was working for Thrasher Magazine, one of the most influential publications in skateboarding. I’d wholly immersed myself in the scene: we were living with nothing, but focusing on the moment. I was inspired by the energy and creativity of skateboarding and surfing and the lifestyle that came with it. I love the intensity and rawness of skateboarding and I think that carried over into my work as a photographer. My style was shaped by my desire to capture the authenticity of my subjects and I think that’s what attracts people to my work.

MPB: You’ve since been embedded in the music industry, shooting everything from album covers, to directing music videos, to going on tour. What was your entry into the music scene? 

LB: Music has always been a huge part of my life. I started shooting live music to give me something to do at shows. Documenting these performances helped me stay present and feel a part of it. My work started to extend well beyond my friends in the skateboarding scene and has encompassed various genres, including music, fashion and portraiture. And to this day, my cameras are like security blankets. They make me feel safe and ground me in the present moment. I’ve also exhibited my photography in galleries at Miami Art Basel, and recently sold a print during an auction at Sotheby’s as part of a collection curated by Nadya of the band Pussy Riot.

MPB: You recently shot Zuri Marley for the cover of Ladygunn Magazine. Can you talk about that experience? 

LB: It was wild! My dad was a huge fan of Bob Marley and Ziggy Marley, and so am I. I’m a huge Zuri Marley fan now, too. She was so open, so warm and friendly, and such a great model. We had so much fun. The hairstylist and makeup artist were both really talented. Phil, the editor-in-chief at Ladygunn, is a genius creative who got us all on board with the concept. He directs well while allowing us to have our own creative freedom and room to add ideas. Collaborating with him is always fulfilling.

MPB: How do you approach a photoshoot? What does your creative process look like?

LB: Every shoot is different. Some are loose and spontaneous and others are planned out and strategized. Let’s say the shoot is for a magazine or commercial client. Sometimes I develop the concept and other times I take creative direction from the client. Inspiration can be drawn from various sources like music, art, nature and personal experiences. With commercial clients, there’s research I find necessary to make sure I understand them and their brand before starting the job. 

Planning and Pre-production: This stage involves logistical preparations such as selecting locations, scouting for suitable settings and gathering the necessary equipment. I love collaboration. Sometimes it’s with a producer or directly with stylists and makeup artists. I need to determine the shoot's scale and requirements and then decide who and what I will need to get the job done. Pre-production may also involve storyboarding or creating a mood board to visualize the desired aesthetic.

Execution and Shooting: Once pre-production is complete, the actual shooting takes place. This is the fun part when I get to empower my team and use my experience and artistic vision to capture images that align with the client’s (or my own) concept. If I’m lucky, I get to experiment with different angles, lighting techniques and compositions to bring the vision to life. This stage also requires collaboration with models, subjects or bands to ensure a successful shoot, especially if it’s for an album cover. 

Post-processing and Editing: After the shoot, I review the images and create an edit of the best shots that align with the client’s creative vision. Post-processing and editing play a crucial role in enhancing the final images. This step may involve colour correction, retouching, adjusting exposure and adding any desired effects. My editing style might contribute to the overall aesthetic of the project.

Presentation and Publication: Once the editing and delivery is complete, the client usually decides how to present the work.

MPB: You mentioned you have many cameras for different purposes, what is your go-to setup?

LB: My go-to set-up for a long time was a Nikon D750or Nikon D850 with a 24-70mm f/2.8 lens. But lately, I have been really attached to my Fuji cameras. I like the medium format Fujifilm GFX 100S that I shot a recent Jaguar job with. I love the Leica Q2 and I was looking at MPB for one of those. I love all the Leicas.

MPB: Do you have a “most fun” camera? Or a used camera that you have your eye on to add to your collection? 

LB: For me, it’s all about the moment. Though I love to control how the image comes out, I really love a good old-fashioned point-and-shoot. That being said, my most fun camera is the one I’m not sick of at any given time. I like to mix it up. I try to stay away from the mindset that a specific camera is what will make me good at my job. It definitely helps to have the right camera for the right job, though. I shoot underwater and if I didn't have the proper camera, I wouldn’t be able to capture the images that I want. At the same time, for photographers who think they have to spend outside their means to get great images, I just don’t think that’s true.

MPB: In such a busy industry, how do you stay inspired and motivated to create fresh content? 

LB: This is a great question. I’m so grateful to do this for a living. I think I'm lucky to work as a photographer and just knowing that motivates me to create. I stay inspired by the people I know and meet and my curiosity in them.

MPB: What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given about photography? 

LB: I was working with a photographer as his intern. I was getting his advice about a shoot I was nervous about. I told him I loved his shots of OutKast, and I kind of grilled him for information. He paused and said: “Whatever you do, don't try to be me. You have your own thing going on.” Though it took a long time to actually sink in, that really stuck with me. I’m the only person who can share my perspective with the world and I love to do it. And there is only one person who can share yours, and that person is you.

Thanks, Lindsey. You can follow along and see more of her work @lindseybyrnes, and if you’re interested in music and entertainment photography read our interview with Jill Furmanovsky.