"Autumn De Wilde told me to treat traffic jams like I’m on a scout, which really saved me from losing my mind in the car in LA!"
COUP DE MAIN: What is your creative process like, when coming up with photographic concepts?
LINDSEY BYRNES: My process for portrait-shooting is extremely collaborative. I want the people in my images to feel that they are not just an object but they are a part of what is going on. It is rare that someone will want me to photograph them without having any idea or feeling about how they want to appear. Mostly, I like to bring out people's personalities if they will let me. Of course, in the documentary work I do this is just taking photos of moments and telling a story, so the collaboration is different. I have been invited into someone’s personal space a lot of times and they are allowing me to record moments, so I recognise the trust they are giving me.
CDM: What do you think it is about capturing a moment or freezing a creative concept that makes it so interesting?
LINDSEY: It is interesting because it is difficult to do. Things that are easy generally aren’t that interesting, right? In some instances you only get one chance to make something awesome. The pressure can feel crazy and then it is there forever.
CDM: You said you've always been more visually oriented, is it sometimes difficult putting into real life what you envision? How do you work through this?
LINDSEY: I am definitely a visual learner. I usually have to physically do something at least once myself to learn it. It is actually often difficult for me to translate my thoughts into a specific idea, everything is so technical - I can be all over the place. It's like my brain is going one million mph and I can't explain it. The truth is, I don't work through it, I just try to work past it... and have fun in the process.
CDM: We really love your photographs for the creative around the new Tegan and Sara album 'Heartthrob', what was the conversation like between you, Tegan and Sara, and others involved, to get the outcome that you did?
LINDSEY: Before the girls started recording 'Heartthrob' we discussed how to document the process. They wanted to do something different than they had in the past. 'Rolling Stone' had mentioned doing a weekly photo blog for the entire eight weeks, but we wanted to go deeper. After some back and forth I suggested we shoot a video series called 'Carpool Confessional' - I would drive the girls to and from the studio each day and they would discuss the recording process while being documented by the mounted cameras and lights in the vehicle. When it came time to shoot the main press shots and album artwork, the main creative direction came from Tegan and Sara’s art director, Emy Storey. She put together all the moodboards and references based on her discussions with Tegan and Sara and her many years of working with them. All of the discussions were on-going and so the whole process felt very organic and flowed together really well. Tegan and Sara were there approving things the whole way, but let us create as well. I think something interesting and inspiring about working with a great art director is that they have a lot of bigger picture items in their heads - things like t-shirt designs and future merch items that would be great assets for the band while rolling out the album and touring. So, she had specific images she wanted to capture that she could manipulate later. Something that I have learned from years of working with Tegan and Sara, is that it’s nice to keep things cohesive. And this also meant that we shot A LOT. There were so many looks in two days. We shot in New York and so I worked with the creative department at Warner Brothers to come up with the perfect team. All of the stylists - hair, wardrobe, make-up - the producer, and the assistants, were all so amazing. I love working with the people at the label too. There was so much talent all working together and I really think that you can see that in the final shots. It was a big production and totally epic!
CDM: I know it was a while ago that you worked on Tegan and Sara's books, 'ON, IN, AT', but what was the most memorable part of working on that?
LINDSEY: I am so proud of those books. When we started them I was wrapping up another book project with Vans called 'Off the Wall: Stories of Sole from Vans Originals' and my experience with that was so fulfilling, that when I was asked to work on 'ON, IN, AT' I literally jumped up and down, it was perfect. I had a slew of job interviews - one in particular that was rather big and I remember saying to myself this is a defining moment - I can go take the office job interview or I can take the chance of a lifetime and go on tour for the first time and see where it takes me. As someone who had been working a job since I got a work-permit at fifteen, this was not a light decision. I had another job at an office for ten consecutive years, so throwing caution to the wind was not my thing. BUT I did it and I am so happy that I did.
CDM: We've also interviewed Tegan and Sara for this issue, what's your favourite song on their new album?
LINDSEY: I Iove them all for different reasons and I feel so attached to this record. I have listened to it sooooo many times and I don’t see myself ever getting sick of it. It’s on permanent heavy rotation. 'Heartthrob' is pure genius!
CDM: Can you share any anecdotes with us of times you've photographed Tegan and Sara or FUN.?
LINDSEY: Hmmm - I usually don’t like to tell set stories, I like to think of myself as being a "vault". I DO have a story about both bands though - the first time I met FUN. I was shooting stills on the set of their music video for 'All The Pretty Girls' and Jack Antonoff was wearing a Tegan and Sara shirt! I had the same design on my bag which I brought over to him, and that was our bonding moment. Months later I introduced them all to each other. First I took Tegan to a Steel Train show - Jack's other band - in LA and then I introduced Jack to Sara in New York. So, now I'm taking full credit for their friendships and collaborations, although technically my friend Kerri was the one who connected me to them in the first place. I just want full credit everyday, all day!
CDM: Since this is our musical crush issue, if you could be friends with five musicians/bands - living or dead - who would they be?
LINDSEY: I know this is going to sound lame or like I'm avoiding the question, but living and working in the field that I do, I have a large group of wonderful, supportive friends that I collaborate with and who trust me and who are in bands that I love... I am already surrounded by inspiration and I meet new people everyday that Inspire me too. Also the ghost thing might freak me out a little bit if I were to say John Lennon or Bob Marley. Right? Oh, also I am lucky because I’m in a relationship with my musical-crush!
CDM: If you could photograph any musician or band, who would it be?
LINDSEY: If I could, I’d photograph every single band like a giant large installation.
CDM: In your opinion, what's the difference between a good photographer, and a great one?
LINDSEY: Photography is an art and art is subjective. So in a lot of cases, the difference between good and great is just popular opinion.
CDM: If you could have the clothing from any character in a film, who would it be?
LINDSEY: This is the best question I have ever heard. My favourite outfit of all time in a movie is the gas station scene in 'Reality Bites' that Winona Ryder was wearing. so cute and simple, a red sleeveless shirt with cute blue jeans. I just always think about that. That movie is also one of the best movies of all time... just sayin’!
CDM: What is the best piece of advice you've ever been given?
LINDSEY: I have had the opportunity to get great advice from so many photographers. Autumn De Wilde told me to treat traffic jams like I’m on a scout, which really saved me from losing my mind in the car in LA! Joseph Cultice, who I admire so much once told me to be myself and not to try to be him, which stuck. Such great advice because I constantly find myself looking at the work of others that I admire and it can be good but also it can be confusing.
CDM: What did you want to be when you were seven-years-old?
LINDSEY: When I was seven my dad's friend got me a Blondie record, I have a photo of me on the beach holding it up. My smile is so big I look REALLY happy. I am pretty sure I wanted Debra Harry and I know that I also wanted to be Olivia Newton-John. I just recently started working with Sara Bareilles and she shares my love for Olivia - when I found that out, I instantly felt closer to her. I thought to myself: "Oh now I know you way better..." I really haven't met anyone else who shares my love for Olivia, so that was thrilling for me.
CDM: What have you got planned for the year 2013?
LINDSEY: At the moment I am prepping for SXSW where I will be shooting the Warner Sound event for Nikon which is so exciting for me. I have been using their cameras for years! I have a lookbook coming out with Rachel Antonoff that I can’t wait for everyone to see. The Fun./Tegan and Sara tour that was just announced is something that I’m going to try to be on as much as possible, I am so excited about that tour. I also have recently started working with a company called 'Wildfang' as a Brand communications director and photographer. We just launched the first visuals that are rolling out and the company and idea is so amazing, I feel really lucky to be working on such great stuff with so much to look forward to!
Check out an awesome behind-the-scenes video of the Tegan and Sara Heartthrob photoshoot that Lindsey photographed...
