Jason Lindsey's Typical Day: Avalanche Warnings, Frozen Eye Lashes, and White Out Conditions
Most people would hear “avalanche warning”, 10,000 feet elevation, and white-out conditions and run the other way. Not Jason Lindsey. He takes these obstacles head-on and lucky for us, the end result is a mesmerizing collection of snow-laden images and motion, shot for Wyoming Tourism. Traveling to Jackson, Wyoming in winter was the easy part. Transporting camera gear for miles into the mountains on snowshoes, shooting eager sled dogs, and trying to get smiles on the faces of a family in freezing temperatures requires a professional like Jason. He says that the logistics of shoots like these is what is most rewarding to him and he loves the challenge of it all.
Now, with his eyelashes fully thawed from the trip, we got to hear more about the trials and tribulations of this shoot. However, when you look at the images, we’re sure they will inspire future winter travel plans. Just make sure to pack plenty of mittens and have hot chocolate at the ready.
One of the best parts of my job is learning about the people who so passionately dedicate their lives to their work. Whether that was the musher on the dog sled or the professional snowmobilers, it’s always a treat to learn about them and be able to tell a little bit of their story through my camera.
Jason Lindsey
What was your most memorable moment on this project?
I thought going dog sledding in the mountains was an incredible experience. We wanted to get shots from the perspective of the musher so I got to ride and shoot from the sled. We also used the dogs to transport gear and scout for locations. In a way, it takes you back in time. Humans have used dog sledding as a form of transportation for thousands of years, and when you’re in these remote locations, it’s easy to lose track of time. There was a moment when we were on the sled and came out of the trees and had the most spectacular view of the Grand Tetons. Definitely a memorable moment.
What did you learn on this shoot?
I was reminded how important preparation is for both creative and production elements. It is super key for shoots like this. There are so many challenges with the cold, getting people and gear warm and ready that you need to be extremely well prepared. Additionally, safety is hugely important. There were avalanche warnings in the surrounding areas so we needed to be prepared so when we are on location, we can be focused on the creative and use our time as wisely as possible.
Adjacently, having a good relationship with the creative director is important. Since we are working under extreme conditions, it’s critical to be able to communicate effectively and efficiently.
What do you want others to take away from your work when seeing this?
How much I love telling stories of people who enjoy working in wild places like this. One of the best parts of my job is learning about the people who so passionately dedicate their lives to their work. Whether that was the musher on the dog sled or the professional snowmobilers, it’s always a treat to learn about them and be able to tell a little bit of their story through my camera. I hope people see that in this work.
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