Meet Lindsey Velotta | Photographer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Lindsey Velotta and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Lindsey, is there a quote or affirmation that’s meaningful to you?
I do actually! I wouldn’t call it a quote or a affirmation but its from a song that has touched my life in more ways than one. The lyrics are “Peace will win and fear will loose”. It’s from Car Radio by Twenty One Pilots. That song in general has spoken to me in more ways than one. I love how honest and raw that particular lyric is but also how the entire song encompasses my life to the point I have that lyric tattooed on my forearm. I suffer from high anxiety so everyday I wake up and its a constant battle in my life and in my mind. When I am going through a rough patch or when my anxiety gets to a point where we are on high alert, I take a look down at my arm and see my tattoo and it gives me hope. I think that’s why I got so deep into my photography. Because when I am taking a photo, that is the one time my anxiety will stay at peace and nothing else matters. And plus I can put out what my brain is currently dealing with or what its battling for the day.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I am most excited to bring something to life if I am thinking about doing a photoshoot or if clients bring me a idea… I want to make that idea come to life or try and bring a story behind that idea. I am most proud of mostly being a self taught photographer and editor. I did not get any real lessons with how to shoot or how to edit and that’s something that also sets me aside from other photographers. Since I can remember I always set very high standards for myself and I felt like my photography was never a high standard for me. But whenever I would share it on my personal social medias; friends and family would always comment on how creative my photos were. I just thought its just a hobby to help with my anxiety and depression and that was it. Fast forward to 2018 when I moved down to Nashville. I started making friends at my job and told them how much I love photography. They asked if we can go on a adventure just to take photos of them nothing big. I ended up directing them how to pose and uncovering spots of Nashville I never knew about. I enjoyed being creative in those moments and finding a passion with portrait photography. From 2018-early 2020, I took time to really learn more about the art of photography and how I can prefect my skills. I became more aware of what I can dream and accomplish in my world of photography. I have been learning to give myself grace no matter what circumstances I am in with my photography. I cannot think negatively how or where I am at and rather look to the future and how I can always improve no matter what.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Oh dang that is such a tough one because for me I am not one to take people to the “touristy” parts of Nashville. Whenever I have family or friends visiting, first thing on my list to take them is Jack Daniel’s Distillery in Lynchburg. The grounds are beyond beautiful and the food at Miss Mary Bobo’s is true southern cooking that everyone needs to visit. Next is exploring downtown Franklin and hitting up Frothy Monkey. Frothy is the first coffee shop I visited when I moved to Nashville and holds such meaning to me, and it feels like home! I am one who loves to hike so I would take them also to Fall Creek Falls. The drive is incredible and you’re able to see a different side of Nashville away from the honkey tonks and the lights. Food wise you can’t go wrong with Hattie B’s for hot chicken! I like to go check out cute small places that feel like mom and pop shops or where locals go. I would also show them the craft beer scene. That’s something I was very happy Nashville really got into since moving here. There are more local breweries that are opening up and you gotta support local right!?

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
There’s a lot of individuals I need to give credit to in regards with my success with my photography. I need to give one of my best friends Mateusz credit. He was the first one to throw me his camera while we were on vacation in Oregon hiking on Mount Hood. I had no idea how to use a camera, and he had faith that I could learn. He didn’t give me any tips or tricks and just let me learn on my own. And that first photo I took, was that ah-ha moment for me. And I knew in that moment I wanted to do and craving for more. I also need to thank my other friend Melissa who invited me to come out on a photography hike and brought me a extra camera for me to learn and grow with. She was there to guide me and mentor me how I can be a better photographer and grow within myself. I have had encouragement from my close friends and family and especially my mother who bought me my first camera at Christmas 7 years ago. And I was able to take my love for my photography and show my little cousin who was obsessed with polaroid cameras when he was younger. I also need to thank my cliental who have had faith in me over the course of the years and the amazing opportunities I have been apart of living in Nashville!

Website: 500px.com/lindzvphotography

Instagram: instagram.com/lindzvphotography

Linkedin: linkedin.com/lvelotta