My name is Lindsay Becker and I am an artistic and sustainably-minded designer/ photographer looking to network with other creative people (so if you are ever doing a project in the Missoula area let me know if you need more hands!) Photographers, designers, make up artists, hair stylists, etc. are all welcome to be my friend! I am hoping to also use this website as a way to connect with local models so I can create a more artistic representation of my designs. So if you are a model looking to make your portfolio a little more alternative, I think you have found your photographer.
Photography experience: I haven't done much work with models, but I can assure you that I am fun to work with and I enjoy meeting new people. I would probably be classified as "amatuer," because I have a modest level of technology to work with (i.e. I have a 2.1 megapixel Kodak, so I can only shoot high quality images with natural light, usually outdoors). But I am confident in my ability to get a professional product with even the most mediocre ingredients.
I also currently have access to a darkroom (I'm in a class), and I would love to do some black and white portraiture. So let me know if you are interested in doing that as well.
TFP/TFCD! There's not a lot of money to go around in my world, so I am really looking to do trade work. I would love to give you prints for your time, but if you feel your services warrant payment in more than just prints, I may be willing to trade some of my designs for your time (dresses, jewelry, etc.). Or if you'd like a bottle of wine for your payment, that works, too. There are lots of things we can trade for your work if prints aren't enough.
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If you are interested in borrowing clothing for a photo shoot:
Money: Due to the nature of lending/borrowing and the level of trust involved, I require a 25% deposit on all items lent outside of Missoula, MT, which will be refunded upon the safe return of my items. I will cover shipping to you, and you will cover shipping to me.
Liability: I also require a letter of responsibility from you, which must include a list of the borrowed items and their value (so we will need to talk beforehand). I will draw up the letter and send it to you for signing. I MUST receive a hard copy of this letter (with your legal signature and the date) BEFORE I ship the items.
Timeframe: Plan on contacting me about three weeks in advance of the shoot to allow time for us to talk, for you to send me a letter of responsibility, and for me to ship the items. I MUST HAVE AT LEAST TWO WEEKS SHIPMENT NOTICE BEFORE I SEND ITEMS TO YOU. Let me know when you need the items well ahead of time. This ensures that I have adequate time to ship the items to you at a reasonable rate. I cannot afford to send something across the country overnight.
Communication: You should discuss details with me before sending the letter and before giving me the two week's shipment notice. This means choosing the items or style of items you want to borrow, letting me know the shoot details, and discussing deposit payment.
Whether the lending is local or non-local, our relationship must begin with clear and open communication. This means I need to know when and where the shoot will be, when the items will be returned, contact information for the person responsible for the items, and details about the prints I will receive in exchange for lending the clothing (I expect some usage rights, but I need to know your specifics).
Local Lending & Borrowing: For items lent on a local basis, I do not require a deposit as long as I feel comfortable and feel I can trust you with my designs. If for some reason I do not feel like I know or trust you well enough, I may ask for a deposit. I do need a letter of responsibility from local borrowers as well. I will bring a letter for you to sign when we meet.
If you have a problem with any of these conditions, you will not be borrowing any BuffaloHeart apparel. If you don't, let's talk!
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About the designs: BuffaloHeart brings you handmade and altered clothing from Montana. My designs are reconstructed from beautiful but tired garments. I look for unique materials that have an elegant style, and my work tends to be a combination of artistic and classy. Because I use recycled materials, each piece is truly a unique work of art.
What's in a name?
The Hidatsa people of the present-day Dakotas were dependent on four staples that defined their summer diet: beans, squash, corn, and sunflowers. The sunflowers were a particularly versatile source of food. The Hidatsa could press oil from the seeds, or crush the seeds into a paste, or roll them into balls that resembled little round granola bars.
These sunflower seed balls were carried by hunters when they went in search of deer or buffalo. In a pouch made from the dried heart of a buffalo, the seed balls were kept dry on the hunter's journey. Thus they were protected and were useful to sustain the hunter.
Much like the conservative, efficient use the Hidatsa made of their resources, so should we make an effort to use our resources efficiently. Like the leathery buffalo heart protected the precious sustenance of a hunter, so should our clothing envelope our precious human vessels.
BuffaloHeart is about making wise use of what we have, because it's all we have.
Credits
Michael Gottlieb, Photographer, MM ID# 821780
Becca Carson, Model, MM ID# 1225685
Kiki Strange, Model, MM ID# 1404982
Krissy Miller, Model
Jeremiah Jordan, occasional photographer
Myself, occasional model and photographer
