Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Brittany Bendabout. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Brittany, appreciate you joining us today. Before we get into specifics, let’s talk about success more generally. What do you think it takes to be successful?

In the creative landscape, it’s important to be personable while maintaining professionalism. For me, when I’m on a photo assignment for a publication I am always meeting my subjects in their home or place of employment. Sometimes the scope of the pieces are emotional for the subjects, so I am always sure to listen to their stories. In 2023, I met with some former residential school elders to capture their portraits. The story was difficult, emotional, and still had great effect on these elders —even though their school age was many decades behind them. Luckily, I have the easy part of the job I just had to take their portraits. However, I still sat in each one of their homes and listened to whatever they wanted to tell me. Some cried. Some laughed. But they all just wanted someone to talk to and I’m glad it was me. My upbringing instilled in me to listen, especially to elders. They have a lot to teach us and I believe my work with them is always collaborative. It pays to personable and I believe that has brought me success in my work.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Brittany Bendabout (b. 1995, Tulsa, OK) is a portrait and documentary photographer.

With a Master’s degree in Business Administration from Rogers State University, Brittany divides her time between freelance photography and film-related projects. An enrolled member of the Cherokee Nation, her work explores the identification and cultural involvement of Native Americans in Oklahoma. The scope of Brittany’s work reflects the community and heritage that she feels deeply connected to as a contemporary artist residing on Muscogee-Creek territory of Oklahoma.

Her current photojournalism series, “The Matriarchs that Made Us,” examines matrilineal societies in Native America. The exploratory project focuses on matriarchal kinship and its centrality to indigenous beings. Her admiration for leading women in native communities has shaped the thesis for this project. The Matriarchs that Made Us highlights indigenous womanhood and resiliency despite the patriarchal and subordination of colonization and western societal norms. A monumental aspiration, Brittany considers The Matriarchs that Made Us a life-long project rooted in communal storytelling and resiliency. The Matriarchs that Made Us is an open project for collaboration, inviting those who share a passion for this vital conversation to connect with Brittany.

Brittany Bendabout is a celebrated visual storyteller and advocate whose work consistently explores the complexities of Native American identity, culture, and justice. Her exceptional photography has earned a prominent place in By The Fire We Carry: The Generations Long Fight for Justice on Native Land, a New York Best Book of 2024 authored by Rebecca Nagle. Additionally, Brittany’s powerful imagery was featured in the Empowerment Issue of Let’s Explore Magazine, further establishing her as a key voice in contemporary visual arts and Native representation.

Beyond her visual arts practice, Brittany is also the co-founder of Women in Film Oklahoma, a collective dedicated to connecting and uplifting women, non-binary, and two-spirit individuals within the filmmaking community.

Brittany’s influence spans multiple disciplines, with her work showcased by prestigious organizations such as NPR, the Associated Press, and Art Basel. Her reputation as an esteemed collaborator and advocate for Native and marginalized voices has made her a sought-after artist in the intersection of art, photography, and social justice.

How did you build your audience on social media?

Social media is a major part of my business and it’s the primary tool I use to network. I share a lot about my life, both professionally and personally, on Instagram. I would say my ‘niche’ on social media is being a native artist. While I do a handful of things in the art world, it’s all tied back to my heritage and the community I am a part of. So in turn, that makes me a little bit more relatable to those with the same or similar upbringing. I don’t plan my social media posts, I don’t design on Canva, nor do I use hashtags as a means of reaching a new audience, while all those things are good and work for people, it’s just not who I am. I have a business degree with a focus in marketing and the one thing that always stuck with me was personal branding in an authentic way. That’s the way I present myself on social media —authentic and personal.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

Yes, my goal is to explore and cover Native American women through my lens. My current photojournalism series, “The Matriarchs that Made Us,” examines matrilineal societies in Native America. The exploratory project focuses on matriarchal kinship and its centrality to indigenous beings. My admiration for leading women in native communities has shaped the thesis for this project. The Matriarchs that Made Us highlights indigenous womanhood and resiliency despite the patriarchal and subordination of colonization and western societal norms. A monumental aspiration, I consider The Matriarchs that Made Us a life-long project rooted in communal storytelling and resiliency.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://brittanybendabout.com
• Instagram: http://instagram.com/britti3