Top 10 Questions for Photojournalist Lynsey Weatherspoon

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Lynsey Weatherspoon is a photojournalist and portraitist whose work has been featured in such publications as The New York Times, USA Today, The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, Time, and ESPN. A Canon Explorer of Light, she is often called on to capture heritage and history as it happens. Here, she shares why you should buy less stuff, question everything, and always pack a multi-tool.

What Are Must-Carry Items Always in Your Bag?

My bag includes the following:

Canon EOS R5 and Canon EOS R5 Mark II — I always keep two bodies since most of my work requires two different focal lengths. Plus, it’s always wise to have a backup in case anything happens to your primary camera. I shoot a lot of behind-the-scenes work for films and television shows, and having two cameras means that I can switch at a moment’s notice when a scene changes.
Canon RF 28-70mm f/2 L USM — Best all-around lens for portraits, environmental, and group images. The f/2 comes in handy in low-light situations on set. I also love using it for video. It’s a hefty and beautiful lens to have in my kit.
Canon RF 50mm f/1.2 L USM. When I want a more surreal and whimsical image, I’m using this lens every time. I love it for portraits, and sometimes use it for product images.
Canon RF 70-200mm f/2.8 L IS USM Lens — I like using this for moments when I’m standing afar from the moment that’s unraveling, along with using it for headshots. The compression of the 70-200 focal length is an added advantage.
SmallRig Folding Tool Set with Screwdrivers and Wrenches — Most of my gear will either need to be tightened or assembled, so this tool includes most screwdrivers and wrenches needed for my tripods and tethering table, and a variety of other pieces of equipment.
Pocket notebooks small enough to fit in my Pelican case or in my pocket. Great for jotting down random notes and the address to a location you want to return to and make some images.
Microfiber cloths come in handy to clean off my cameras and lenses, as well as sweat when I’m working extra hard. Never underestimate the necessity of these. They dry instantly and will be of use no matter what you’re doing.
Vaseline — used as lip balm and light moisturizer throughout the day.

Despite a crammed work schedule, Weatherspoon finds time for personal projects, such as this portrait.

What Is the Most Underrated Photo Skill?

Though not a technical photo skill, it’s a skill nonetheless: the art of listening and nonverbal communication. As a portrait photographer, most of the people will want to talk about something, whether it’s small talk or an entire conversation. Being socially conscious of the people you’re working with and interacting with is important to a successful and meaningful photo shoot. In order to make a photo that has a specific feeling or meaning, both of these skills will be beneficial to learn as you begin to create.

If You Were Starting, What Would You Do Differently?

I’d save my money and not buy so much stuff that I never used. Oh, and I’d only use my credit cards in an emergency, versus buying photo stuff because someone else had “the thing.”

What Art Books Should Every Photographer Own?

PhotoWork: Forty Photographers on Process and Practice by Sasha Wolf and A Choice of Weapon by Gordon Parks. You get a dose of inspiration by learning each photographer’s artistic practice in Wolf’s book, and then you can zoom in on Parks’ life and learn of his coming-of-age journey to his incredible legacy of becoming one of the most sought-after Black photographers during his time.

How Do You Know When a Photo Is a Success?

When it feels right. If you’re doing certain types of work, you just know when you’ve nailed it. My heart jumps a bit when I see the image come alive and my collaborator or my client has the same reaction.

What Do You Do to Refine Your Skills?

I read a lot of photography books and books unrelated to photography. Though I love my craft, it’s a necessity for me to live in someone else’s world in order for me to dream and conceive of any future project ideas.

Do You Have Anything That Is a Daily Practice or Habit?

Reading, journaling, meditation, walking, and rest. Nothing beats any of these practices after a long day.

Photographers Are Always Told to Develop a Style or Find a Voice, but There Is Little Advice on How to Find That Voice. What Guidance Can You Offer?

Practicing allows a creative to find their voice as they develop the technical skills. I feel as if when a person becomes in tune with themselves and what their primary goal is as a photographer, that’s when they’ve tapped into a new depth in their talent. You have to be open enough to resist the hesitancy of not making new work. As you make mistakes, become frustrated with an idea, or get lost, remember that the journey of that moment is helping you become the creative you’ve longed to become.

When You Look Back on Earlier Work, What Are Your Thoughts?

That it was all bad! (Kidding!) I look back at the work now and see a person who is constantly questioning, just like I still do, and that makes me extremely excited because I know I haven’t lost my fire. I also reference old work from time to time to access my storytelling skills. My narrative voice has blossomed, which is why I keep making the work I choose to make.

How Has Your Work Changed Over Time?

My work has remained rooted in social and civil commentary, but it has become more intentional over the years. When I started photography, I would only search for the larger, more obvious moments during an assignment. Now, I make sure that I’m aware of the more unseen or quiet moments—the ones where you realize no one would have noticed unless they stepped back and assessed the environment. Or those moments where someone starts a conversation with you and you begin to have a beautiful exchange. Those are the moments that show me that having taken this path as a photographer is worth it, and that my work has evolved and progressed for the better.

Lynsey Weatherspoon is a photojournalist and portraitist based in Atlanta and Birmingham. Her work has been featured in print and online in such publications as The New York Times, USA Today, NPR, The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, Time, ESPN, and ESPN-owned The Undefeated. She is a Canon Explorer of Light. Weatherspoon’s work has been exhibited at The African American Museum in Philadelphia and Photoville NYC. She is an awardee of The Lit List (2018). Her affiliations include Diversify Photo, Authority Collective, and Women Photograph. Weatherspoon is often called on to capture heritage and history in real time: The Equal Justice Institute’s Bryan Stevenson, The National Memorial for Peace and Justice, The Legacy Museum, Ronnie the shoe repairman in downtown Birmingham, and the people of the Gullah-Geechee Corridor, to name just a few.