Buffalo Boss Babe: Lindsay Sisting

Happy Friday Boss Babes! Today’s feature is on Lindsay Sisting, owner of Lindsay Sisting Photography. We talked about all things photography, Buffalo and doggos. Continue reading to learn about how Lindsay became a Boss Babe!

What made you start or brought you where you are today ? Tell us your Story. What makes you a Buffalo Boss Babe? 

I studied art and photography as a teen and eventually earned my Bachelor of Fine Arts in Photography at UB. While interning at a local commercial photo studio, I decided I wanted to make a career out of it. I worked my way through many genres of photography in order to find what I enjoy most. While starting out as a photo assistant in the commercial world, I was asked to help photograph a wedding. Sixteen years of wedding and portraits took its toll and I decided to refocus my efforts on architecture, and subsequently, real estate.

As a freelancer, I had many opportunities to try different roles within my industry. If you wanted to work, you had to be willing to wear many hats. This still holds true for me today. While weddings mainly happened on the weekends, I was able to spend my weekdays working for producers and other photographers who needed someone willing to get their hands dirty, sometimes literally! Being a team player and learning the logistics of day-to-day planning in order for the project to be a success, became crucial in running a small business. I’ve worked on small projects with photographers doing product photography to large feature films where I’ve met A-list celebrities and worked with Oscar award winning cinematographers. No matter what job I hold, I try to apply as much knowledge to my field as possible. This includes managing others and paying it forward. I’ve taught assistant workshops through the American Society of Media Photographers and digital photography classes at CEPA Gallery. I encourage women to stand out in this industry. If you love to create, work hard and tell beautiful stories, there’s a place for you! It hasn’t always been a smooth ride, but I enjoy working for myself and with others who share the same passion.

What does being a Buffalo Boss Babe mean to you? 

I try my best to lead by example. Do good work. Be kind. Work hard to help others be mindful and creative, and give back to those who have paved the way for us. That’s how you babe!

Who are your favorite people to follow ? 

People? You mean dogs, right? Social media is honestly a tangled web. I keep a small social media presence for this reason.

Brené Brown and Seth Godin provide the empowering reality check most of us need. For whimsical creatives, I stick with Theron Humphrey @ThisWildIdea, Brianna Madia @BriannaMadia, Matt Adlard (formerly Topless Baker) @mattadlard and local fav Shaunna Russell @weekdaybest. Always good for a laugh is @thetinychefshow and Buffalo’s very own @neilpatbg.

But also… Ash Ambirge @the.middle.finger.project! If you are not following her, what are you even doing with your life? She’s the ultimate boss babe!

What are your favorite things to do in the area ? Buffalo and greater WNY 

I spend as much time as I can enjoying the outdoors. In winter, that means XC skiing or snowshoeing in the Southtowns. Byrncliff being a favorite spot. In warmer months, I’m usually hiking or trail running in the Niagara Falls Gorge, Sprague Brook or Chestnut Ridge parks. I also love riding my road bike around Grand Island, the Erie Canal (pit stop at Lake Effect Ice Cream!) or on one of the local bike paths. We have a lot of beautiful parks that I think many take for granted. I grew up in the foot of the Adirondacks, so when I don’t feel like making that drive, I look for the lesser known, but still beautiful areas closer to home. I also participate in community athletic events. I’ve completed the Buffalo Half Marathon, Queen City Architecture Run and Shea’s Run for the Arts along with various yoga events.

If I’m in the mood to network or focus on the business side of things, I’ll attend a Creative Mornings or Tuesdays Together (our local Rising Tide Society chapter) meeting for inspiration and community. Buffalo also has a lot of super cute cafes and coffee houses. I meet up with fellow photographers all the time to chat about the business.

Tell us about your favorite collaboration or dream collaborations ? 

I would love to work more with interior designers. In my line of work, they can make or break an assignment. I love how interior designers can bring life to a space. Often I am hired to photograph the institutional, sterile, or mundane but functional, spaces for my clients. While doing real estate, there are often times when the home is either completely void of furnishings or the homeowners take an “eclectic” approach to their dwelling. When I have worked with designers who put their stamp on a room, it’s a night and day difference. The beauty really is in the details, and they are an underrated bunch!

If you could have coffee with anyone in the world who would it be? 

Ruth Bader Ginsburg or Brené Brown.

What are your hopes, dreams, goals. Big or small? 

My dreams and goals are constantly evolving and right now I’m focusing on taking one day at a time, one project at a time. I had/have a tendency to spread myself thin by saying YES to every opportunity that comes my way. The perils of a self-employed freelancer I’m afraid. I’m learning that there’s power and freedom in saying NO. My hope is that I can continue saying yes to the projects that create joy for me. Putting my faith in the universe to take care of me financially and emotionally is never easy. My goal isn’t to make millions of dollars or gain millions of followers on social media. My goal is to make an honest living doing the things I enjoy, while helping others in the process. I’m not a bucket list keeper, so if there’s something that I’d like to do, I make a plan to do it ASAP. Life is too short for some days.

Tell us about your family? 

I come from a long line of fiercely independent women, who also happen to be feisty red heads! I’ve been married for 15 years to an architect. We met playing roller hockey in college and shared an interest in photography and architecture. We both attended UB for our bachelors in those respective fields and have been working and playing together ever since. We spend as much of our spare time in the outdoors as possible. We both also grew up in the Central NY area and frequently visit to see our extended family while making trips into the Adirondacks. We lost our amazing Wheaten Terrier over winter, so we are adjusting to life without her after almost 12 years. Our future plans include building an off road teardrop style trailer to haul out West with our Jeep Wrangler. I’ve always wanted to see the landscape of the Rockies and the coastline in the Pacific Northwest.

FEEL GOOD FAVORITES

Food:

Beyond Meat veggie burgers

Color: 

Depends on my mood... Green!

Super Power: 

Teleportation

Animal : 

Doggos

Season of the year: 

Fall

Favorite thing about Buffalo: 

People willing to help other people. City of good neighbors 'n all that. ;)

Social Media Info (@) 

@lindsaysistingphoto

**Photo credit goes to Lindsay Sisting Photography

xoxo,

Emmily