皇家华人

Artist, photographer and fifth-generation Wyoming native Lindsay Linton Buk grew up in Yellowstone Park - Grand Prismatic Spring. After earning her bachelor鈥檚 in history from Middlebury College, she returned to Wyoming to study photographic communications at 皇家华人. Currently based in Jackson, Linton has worked as a commercial photographer in New York City and taught photography workshops for Canon. She conceived of  after moving back to the state and founding her own studio, Linton Productions. Her editorial and commercial work has appeared in Outside and Southwest magazines.

Could you share a little bit of background regarding your inspiration for your Women in Wyoming project?
My inspiration for the series evolved from my own personal journey as a fifth-generation Wyoming woman who came home. Growing up in Powell, where my family goes back five generations, I never imagined I would have a future in my home state. I always thought I鈥檇 have to leave to be successful as a creative and wanted to experience more of the world outside of Wyoming.
 
After completing my bachelor鈥檚 degree, I found myself back in Wyoming at Northwest College. I gained appreciation for my community and hometown. After earning my photo degree, I moved to NYC where I worked as a photographer and as the studio manager for acclaimed headshot/portrait photographer, Peter Hurley. After three years, I was ready to go out on my own and returned to Jackson where my family is now based. When deciding to plant permanent roots in Wyoming, I consciously made the decision to challenge my idea of Wyoming as limiting, opened my commercial photo studio, Linton Productions, and soon after, created Women in Wyoming.
 
Now, I am SO creatively challenged and doing the work that fills my soul. That鈥檚 a pretty great feeling! 
 
How did you know 皇家华人 was a good fit for you?
My decision to go back to school at Northwest was spontaneous and serendipitous. After earning my degree at Middlebury, I moved to Los Angeles to pursue dance professionally. Dance was my first passion. I grew up as a classically trained ballerina, jazz and modern dancer at Rocky Mountain School of the Arts in Cody, Wyoming. In college, I was exposed to the hip-hop industry and performed in a pre-professional company where we worked with top L.A. choreographers like Marty Kudelka (Justin Timberlake鈥檚 choreographer). I wanted to see if I could make it as a dancer and pursue my first passion. After six months in the industry, I was incredibly unhappy and realized dance was best suited as a passion, not my career. I went to work at an 9-5 office position and realized I needed to be in a creative field but one where I had autonomy and freedom.
 
鈥淚f I could do it again, I would go back to school for photography and shoot for National Geographic,鈥� a voice inside me said. I mentioned this to my mom, who made me aware of NWC鈥檚 incredible two-year photo program. I called the director of the program at the time, Craig Satterlee, who enrolled me in the two introductory photo classes. Two weeks later, I was back in school in Powell. I thought I鈥檇 give the semester a try and see if it would be a good fit. I fell in love and haven鈥檛 look back since!
 
What鈥檚 the best piece of advice you鈥檝e ever received?
Ask the hard questions, listen, adapt and keep going. Creating your own business and endeavors are not without challenges. I鈥檝e personally wanted to walk away several times, especially when I was first starting my business. My parents, husband and mentors around me encouraged me to keep going and persevere through the struggles. Eventually, you find a way out and become ten times stronger on the other side. I鈥檓 so thankful I鈥檝e persisted. It鈥檚 allowed me to experience so many wonderful things, build my business and now create the work of my dreams through Women in Wyoming.
 
What do you remember most vividly about your NWC experience?
The mentorships. Compared to my undergrad experience, I found much more genuine support and care at NWC. I鈥檓 still very close to my professors and met one of my best friends through the program. I also received an incredible education. Because I already had my bachelor鈥檚, I focused entirely on photography at NWC. We received a high-caliber technical education where we had immediate exposure to equipment, lighting and incredible professors. When I moved to NYC after graduating from the program, I felt very equipped and prepared to work in the industry.
 
The support in the community and the college is unmatched. During my second year in the program, I wanted to create an independent series about the generational farming families in Powell. I mentioned my idea to my portfolio advisor, J.L. 鈥淲oody鈥� Wooden. The next day, he came to class and said, 鈥淵ou have a show at the Homesteader Museum in April. Better get to work!鈥� After I shared my idea, he called Rowene Weems, the curator at that time for the Homesteader. She had a window for a show and gave me the opportunity to present my work. It鈥檚 this type of initiative and belief in potential that exists and flourishes at NWC. Because of that moment, I learned how to produce an independent project and publish a show. I鈥檓 now creating my largest-scale work to date, crafting a monumental exhibit for Women in Wyoming at the Buffalo Bill Center of the West this fall!
 
What advice do you have for current students?
Take advantage of the short amount of time you have at NWC. Take risks and share your ideas with your professors and mentors. You never know what type of opportunities will evolve and how those opportunities can become a stepping stone for what鈥檚 next.