Hi, I'm Lindsay!
Meet Lindsay (also known as "Tonks" in pole world), the human behind the lens.
BASED IN Greenville, SOUTH CAROLINA, PHOTOGRAPHING BADASS HUMANS SINCE 2020.
I'm a photographer, pole dancer, and X-Pert certified Level 1 & 2 pole instructor, which means I don't just photograph pole... I speak pole. I live pole. I breathe pole.
I know the difference between changing a camera angle and asking you to compromise a contact point. I know what the shape is supposed to look like, what you're trying to do with your line, and what angles will best capture it. I notice the back foot that isn't pointed and when your muscles are fatigued/not properly engaged and understand when you need to come down.
YOU WORRY ABOUT GETTING INTO THE SHAPE.
I'LL WORRY ABOUT MAKING IT ART.
Where the art happens.
Many of the bodies you see throughout this site belong to dancers I first met at The Pole Academy in Greenville, SC — the same studio where I took my first spin, performed in my first showcase, taught my first workshop, got my instructor certification, where I train, create, and have had the privilege of photographing some truly incredible humans.
Crypt & Clay wouldn't exist in quite the same way without this community. The Pole Academy has given my work space to grow — literally — and has supported me as I've moved from photographing a few fellow dancers into building something much bigger.
I'm incredibly grateful to have a place where dancers can make art, take up space, try new things, try weird things, laugh when nothing works, and occasionally hold an unreasonable position while I crawl around on the floor with a camera.
Let's make something super together.
FAQ
How did you get into photography?
I actually have been doing photography longer than I've been doing pole. I became a doula in 2020 after my twins were born (my miracle babies after a long journey of recurrent pregnancy loss), and because it was in the middle of a pandemic, my clients were in a situation where they had to choose between a doula and a photographer because they couldn't have both in the delivery room. I didn't think anyone should have to choose between having the support they need and deserve during birth and having cherished photographs of such a special time, so I bought a camera so that I could offer birth photography to my doula clients. When I started pole, I started taking photos of my friends and before I knew it, I had more and more people asking me to take their photos and what started as a fun hobby turned into a growing new business!
How did you get into pole?
I'd wanted to try it for years before I finally was brave enough to go for it. I worked in the nonprofit world for over a decade and did a lot of work with SW's, and anytime I got to witness someone pole dancing/doing pole tricks I always thought it looked so beautiful and magical, and I thought the humans who could move like that and defy gravity on the pole were literal magicians and superheroes. After having my twins in 2020 I left the nonprofit world to become a doula and stay-at-home-mom because the nonprofit work hours were too crazy for my new season of mothering newborn twins. Finally, in January of 2024 I mustered up the courage to finally take my first pole class as a part of my journey to reconnect with myself and my body after giving birth, and I was hooked at the first spin and never looked back!
Do you travel for photoshoots?
Yes! I love traveling! If you have a local pole studio, I'd love to connect with them and coordinate setting up a photoshoot! I utilize a portable, pop-up studio model for my photoshoots, and most of the photographs you see on the site were either shot at my home studio or out of my house. If you have (or know someone who has) both space and a pole, I am more than happy to come to you and set up a Crypt & Clay pop-up event and create art with you in your preferred space!
What's your favorite pole trick?
I love a Jade split. Hands down one of my favorites. But I honestly love pretty much any splitty shape!
Spin pole or static?
I've always been a spin pole girly, but static is really starting to grow on me!
Low flow or high flyer?
I am an adrenaline junkie, so I've always been known as a "trickster"/"high flyer". I held the title of "Pole Daredevil" (one of the many superlatives students can be nominated for) at my home studio for a solid 2 years when I first started my pole journey! But in the last year or so I have really grown to love low flow! Playing with edge work is super fun and I'm a sucker for kips/elements of hard style!
Do you perform or compete?
I love performing, but I don't think competition is for me. As someone with a longstanding history of having a complicated relationship with my own body/self-image/self-worth, I am hesitant to bring my pole practice into the world of judged competition. I've competed my whole life- in sports, in pageants, in auditions, etc- and while I enjoyed competing, it also fueled a lot of unhealthy mentalities around my own value, self-worth, and self-confidence. One thing I've really loved about my pole journey is that there has been no competitive or comparison mentality. My journey, skills, confidence, movement, and value are mine and mine alone to define- I don't compete with/compare myself to anyone else.
Do you teach workshops?
I currently have one workshop that I offer- a Photoshoot Prep workshop designed to help attendees feel confident and prepared for their next (or first) pole photoshoot. In the workshop I teach attendees how to confidently choose poses, props, outfits, accessories, etc that work with them and not against them, and I share my personal "filter system" I use when considering a pose or shape for a photoshoot that can be personalized from dancer to dancer, photoshoot to photoshoot. I go over lighting basics and how to maximize the best angles and share behind-the-scenes info on what photographers are thinking/looking for during a photoshoot. I also teach a hands-on/interactive section on practical skills workshop participants can take home and use right away to capture amazing photos and videos of themselves from their own smartphone.
By the end of the workshop, the goal is for attendees to walk into their next photoshoot feeling confident and prepared with realistic expectations and goals, be able to create their own "shot list" of shapes and poses that photograph well and work within their own capacity, learn how to make micro adjustments in real time while holding a shape/pose in a shoot, understand what shapes/hair/makeup/outfits/props transition well to the camera, and take home practical skills they can use right away to capture amazing shots of themselves and their friends right from their own smartphone.
If you're interested in having me bring my Photoshoot Prep workshop to your home studio, shoot me a message on the Contact page!