Surma Girl - Omo Valley - Surma Tribe, photography
-Lynn, we'd love to hear your story and how you got to where you are today, both personally and as an artist.
My journey as an artist began in the first grade with a simple but meaningful assignment: drawing an animal to accompany each letter of the alphabet. That exercise sparked a love for creating that has stayed with me ever since. Art quickly became my favorite part of school, a space where I felt most alive and expressive.
I pursued my formal art education at Cal State Long Beach, earning a BA in Fine Art—an education so profound that it has carried me through many artistic and professional endeavors over the years. The foundation I built there gave me not only technical skills but also a deep appreciation for how art shapes the way we see the world.
My creative journey has led me through a diverse range of artistic disciplines, including creative sewing, ceramic sculpture, printmaking, and photography. Each medium has been a steppingstone, influencing and elevating the next. Today, my focus is primarily on printmaking and photography, two forms that allow me to explore culture, storytelling, and visual narratives in a dynamic and powerful way.
Naga Sadhu with Red, photography
-Your work is so deeply tied to global cultures; how do you make sure you're honoring the histories and traditions you're capturing rather than just creating striking images?
From an early age, my parents instilled in me a love for travel and adventure. They encouraged me to explore the world with an open heart and an open mind, always reminding me:
“Travel smart and with respect for the places and people you visit.”
That lesson has never left me.
When I photograph different cultures, my goal is not to impose an external lens but to represent people within their authentic environments and traditions—not how Western civilization expects or wants to see them. I approach each subject with deep respect, seeking to capture their reality rather than framing it through a preconceived narrative.
Rather than merely creating striking images, I strive to tell visual stories that honor the dignity, history, and truth of the people and places I photograph. This means listening, learning, and being fully present in each moment.
Uru Man, photography
-You've photographed some incredible places- Mongolia, India, Rwanda… What is it about these locations that pull you in, and how do they shape the way you shoot?
I am drawn to places where indigenous cultures remain intact—where traditions, ways of life, and connections to history are still deeply embedded in daily existence. "Intact" is the key word. Seeking out these cultures often means venturing off the beaten path, embracing adventure, and sometimes sleeping in a pup tent with scorpions underneath me!
For me, luxury isn’t found in a Four Seasons hotel, but in the rare and raw moments I get to witness—whether it’s the excitement of young racers in the Gobi Desert riding Mongolian horses at breakneck speed, trekking in to see Gorillas up close in Rwanda, or a sacred ritual unfolding at sunrise in India.
Each location dictates its own rhythm and approach. I adapt to the energy and atmosphere of a place rather than forcing an image. I observe before I shoot, allowing the people and landscapes to guide my perspective.
The Bride - Omo Valley - Gorro Village, photography
-Your work feels like storytelling in visual form. Do you think of yourself as a storyteller, and how does that narrative find its way into your creative process?
My approach is very much in the style of photojournalism, where every image captures a fleeting moment—a thought, an expression, a feeling that exists for only a second before it’s gone. Yes, I am telling a story.
My shots are never staged. Instead, I wait for the story to unfold naturally in front of me. I focus on the unguarded moments—the kind that reveal something deeper about a person, a place, or a culture.
One of my greatest inspirations, Sebastião Salgado, once said:
"It is more important for a photographer to have a very good pair of shoes than to have a very good camera."
That resonates deeply with me. To truly capture a story, you must walk the path, be present, and immerse yourself in the experience. Another Salgado quote I live by:
"When you take a portrait, the shot is not yours alone. The person offers it to you."
This philosophy guides my work. Every image is a collaboration, a shared moment between myself and the subject. It’s not about just taking a photo—it’s about honoring the story within it.
Prayer Book, photography
-What’s the best way for someone to check out your work and provide support?
My website: lynndoran.com
FB - Lynn Doran
IG - lynn_doran
A huge Thank You Art Fluent for your support of my work - Lynn
Statement
My photography is informed by a combination of random opportunity and cultural geography, especially cultures that are under the shadow of extinction or modification to the point of erasure.
Cultures display the way we as human beings see, create, and express ourselves. For me, photography offers a direct means by which I can visually experience and simultaneously record those characteristics (authenticities) which define complex cultural landscapes.
I strive to weave through events, keeping on my feet, staying fluid rather than static, avoiding set-ups or using a tripod, capturing the intrigue of humanity.
Look at Me, photography
Bio
Mother with Yellow Flowers - Omo Valley - Surma Tribe, photography
Lynn Doran, a native Californian, began her life of adventure and creativity in the 1950s, traveling with her parents whose curiosity led them deep into Mexico, pulling a travel-trailer.
Leaving college with a degree in Fine Arts, Lynn immediately started her own company, “Natty,” designing and manufacturing women’s specialized ski accessories, as well as more youthfully contemporary tennis and golf attire.
Success allowed Lynn to leave the world of business and start traveling the world, photographically documenting, selectively collecting artifacts and turning her lifelong-interest into a major motivating factor in her life.
Travel serves Lynn as a stimulant and her creative themes express themselves through ceramic sculpture, printmaking and photography.