Meet Lindsay Butcher | Photographer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Lindsay Butcher and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Lindsay, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
I began my photography journey about 12 years ago after I bought my first camera on a whim. I had a lot of encouragement from my husband’s brother, Tim, who was an excellent photographer and artist himself. He encouraged me to get out there and take photos of literally anything and everything and that encouragement helped me get better at using my camera and ultimately I found myself taking family portraits, maternity portraits, engagement portraits, and even photos of my husband’s band! Tim passed away a few years ago, but I know he’d be so proud of me for jumping into this head first.

Long story short, I really take pride in the drive and effort I’ve put into getting to where I am now. If I take into consideration, though, that I’m still very much in the infant stages of getting things going, I’d have to say I’m still chin deep in the thought process behind starting my photography business. I’m a super creative person and I’m always looking for creative outlets and photography definitely fits the bill. I also have a deep curiosity about life and people and who they are in their most unfiltered, vulnerable, in-between moments. I love the idea of capturing those moments in time forever, so being able to pursue this art form and bring it into fruition as a career is just heavenly.

I’m so excited to see where this journey in art takes me. I can’t say photography is my full time career…yet, but I hope some day it will be.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
People are inherently interesting and my hope is to capture the true essence of who they are without the filters, without their careers, without all of the ideas and expectations our environments drape over us. I want to capture images of people and their families in a way that evokes emotion and makes us look inward on ourselves as human beings. Making art with people that they and theirs can keep and cherish for lifetimes to come is something I strive to accomplish with every person or group of people I’m lucky enough to work with and it’s the part of this journey I’m most excited about and also very proud of.

Sometimes, it isn’t easy. Encouraging people to open up and to feel comfortable in front of me and my camera can be challenging, but being accommodating, calm, and creating a fun environment has proven to be very helpful and once they do feel comfortable, the magic is undeniably beautiful!

In the time I’ve been doing this, I’ve learned not to compare my work to others, which was really hard to do at first. Not only do I make myself feel inadequate, it prevents me from creating my own style, something that makes me stand out from the rest. Having a positive, goal oriented mindset really gets my creativity going and I go into each shoot really excited to work and create beautiful, timeless images.

I want my community, the world, to see and FEEL the images I create through my lens from the perspective of reality and how it is to really live, love and be loved.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Oh boy the ideas running through my mind! Los Angeles is a treasure trove of things to do and food to eat! I’m so lucky to have grown up here. I’m a burger gal and dinner at Burgers Never say Die is always an absolute must (cheese sauce *drooly face*). A show at Sassafras Saloon put on by Grand Ole Country Bunker on Friday nights is always a blast. My husband and I have a deep love for all things old time country music and they always bring the heat! Breakfast at my favorite spot in the SFV, Joyce’s Coffee Shop and Restaurant. Spending a day at the beach, Zuma to be specific, is mandatory during the summer. I grew up going to Zuma with my mom and sister. My mom was a teacher and had most summers off with us and thats where we spent a lot of our time. Taking Topanga Canyon over the hill then driving up PCH is my favorite way to get there, making sure to stop at Hidden Treasures along the way for some cool vintage. Dinner or lunch at a local beach favorite, Neptune’s Net. Six Flags! Olvera Street for some taquitos at Cielito Lindo, so delicious, plus its a great opportunity to take in some Los Angeles history. Wednesday night at Moonlight Rollerway for Rainbow Night is so much fun! Drinks and a home style grilled cheese sandwich at a hidden gem, The Hideaway Bar and Grill in Sylmar, they also have karaoke on Friday nights. Dinner at another SFV favorite, Lum – Ka – Naad. I recently saw a movie at a rooftop venue in DTLA/Arts District and it was so cool. I love this City so much and there are so many more things to do here!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My family and my friends above all else for encouraging me to keep going, giving me endless praise, and letting me shove my camera in their faces so I can practice. Especially my best friend, Jess, and my husband, John. They’re the two people I photograph the most and I’m forever grateful for their willingness to help me bring my ideas to life. 🙂 I also wanna give a shout out to Celia Catalino (and my cousin Kristie for introducing Celia and I!), an incredible and successful bay area photographer ~ she was so kind to help me and offer some big pointers when it comes to starting a photography business and I am forever grateful!

Website: linbvtcher.com

Instagram: @linbvtcher

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LinPhotography