Getty Images and Youtube Team Up To Deliver Creative Portrait Studio At 2018 Sundance Film Festival

Getty Images, a world leader in visual communication, and YouTube have today announced a partnership to deliver an innovative portrait studio at this year’s Sundance Film Festival, in collaboration with Getty Images’ official media partners, People.com and Entertainment Weekly.
Renowned celebrity photographer Robby Klein will produce a series of creative shoots featuring the festival’s talent, with over 150 portraits expected to be hired over three days and delivered in real time.
The partnership will see the traditional festival studio transformed into an innovative site that will include smart home integration, and the latest in photographic technology, redefining the portrait experience.
A Getty Images’ team of digital content creators will deliver high-end portraits of talent at the outcome, as well as multi-media assets, including GIFs and video, from three different spots at YouTube’s venue in downtown Park City, Utah.
“In today’s digital age, the power of producing visual content that cuts through is paramount,” said Kirstin Benson, Senior Director and Executive Producer of Entertainment Strategy and Services, Getty Images. “We’re proud to partner with YouTube to produce beautiful, compelling content at Sundance Film Festival.”
“Visual storytelling is at the heart of what we do, which is why it makes perfect sense for us to partner with an icon like Getty Images to create something truly unique,” said Zach Papale, Global Head of Brand Experience and Event Partnerships, YouTube. “We’re excited to partner to produce this new portrait experience.”
2018 marks the 7th year YouTube has been the official presenter of the Sundance Film Festival Shorts program. This year, YouTube and Google will transform the YouTube House into a fully curated content showcase with dedicated individual and public programming Thursday, January 18 to Sunday, January 21.
Getty Images content creators, are at every major entertainment event globally, from awards ceremonies to fashion weeks to film festivals spreading covering almost 70,000 entertainment events a year and partnering with major brands on creative content strategy.
The Getty Images X YouTube portrait studio will shoot from YouTube House, Friday, January 19th until Monday, January 22nd.
Landon Buford is an accomplished sports and entertainment journalist based in Richardson, Texas, with over a decade of experience covering the NBA, WNBA, NFL, WWE, MLB, and the entertainment industry. Known for delivering high-impact stories and headline-making interviews, Buford has earned a global audience through content that blends insider access with compelling storytelling.
He previously served as director of editorial and brand communications at PlayersTV, where he helped shape the platform’s editorial voice and brand identity. He is also the founder and editor-in-chief of LandonBuford.com—an independent outlet with more than 1.6 million views and syndication from major platforms including Bleacher Report, Sports Illustrated and Yahoo Sports. Buford’s interviews with stars like Gary Payton, Kevin Durant, Mark Cuban and Chris Paul showcase his talent for meaningful, in-depth conversations.
His bylines have appeared in Sports Illustrated, Forbes, Heavy.com, Meta’s Bulletin and One37pm, where he has contributed exclusive interviews, breaking news and cultural insights. At Heavy.com, his work drew more than a million views in just eight months, and at One37pm, it contributed to record-breaking traffic numbers.
His work highlights the intersection of sports, fashion, music, and entrepreneurship—showcasing how athletes and entertainers use their platforms to inspire change, influence trends, and shape culture beyond the game. Landon has interviewed a wide range of figures from the NBA, NFL, and entertainment industries, consistently bringing authentic voices and untold stories to the forefront.
In addition to his journalism, Buford is an entrepreneur and content creator, dedicated to amplifying diverse narratives and driving meaningful conversations across media platforms. His passion for storytelling, culture, and innovation continues to make him a respected voice in the evolving landscape of sports and entertainment media.
