We were lucky to catch up with Brittany Bradley recently and have shared our conversation below.

Brittany, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?

Creating art that reflects my true passions and interests has always been a driving force in my artistic journey. When I think about the meaningful projects that have truly inspired me, I can’t help but think of the work I’ve made surrounding the women’s marches, my current series “Jamnesia” on Roller Derby and Artists and Artisans, environmental portraiture of masters of craft.

The energy and passion of the women’s marches, the fierce determination and camaraderie of the roller derby community, and the creativity and dedication of arts and artisans have all left a lasting impact on me as an artist. These are the stories and experiences that fuel my creativity and drive me to do my best work. Artists make their best work when they set out to make things for themselves, and there is no better way to inspire that than to choose projects that feed your passions and interests.

Through my art, I strive to capture the spirit and essence of these communities and movements, to shine a light on their stories and voices, and to create work that is not only visually compelling but also meaningful and impactful. It is through these projects that I am able to truly connect with my audience and fell like I make a difference in the world.

I am grateful for the opportunity to create art that reflects the things that I am truly passionate about, and I am excited to continue exploring these themes and topics in my work. It is through these projects that I am able to not only grow as an artist but also make a meaningful impact on the world around me.

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

I’m Britt Bradley, an alternative process photographer specializing in Wet Plate Collodion. I create work and spaces that amplify diverse narratives and voices. My current projects center around the roller derby and the Artist and Artisan communities, which are dynamic intersections of people of color, women, creatives, and LGBTQIA2+ individuals. Through my antique process, I aim to empower, inspire empathy, challenge stereotypes, and foster a deeper understanding of intersectional identities.

As an artist, I pride myself on facilitating meaningful connections between communities and creating images that promote positive social change. My pursuit of authenticity, empathy, and inclusivity set me apart in both my artistic practice and advocacy work.

Clients, followers, and fans should know that my art is a powerful tool for empowerment and transformation, not just aesthetics. Whether it’s commercial portraiture in my studio or community-based fine art projects, my ultimate goal is to create a more equitable and compassionate world where all voices are heard and valued in fine art.

I discovered photography through my hobbyist father, who taught me and my siblings silver gelatin (black and white) photography. I developed my first roll of 35mm film at the age of 8 and have been passionate about the process ever since.

During my undergraduate studies, I noticed the lack of representation of communities and people in photography and realized that most of the artists featured, studied, and financially represented in the industry all looked the same. Unfortunately, this narrative of who gets representation behind the camera and in front of the lens has shifted very little. Only 2% of the total collection of work in museums is by female artists, and in the last decade, less than 11% of new art acquisitions in museums have been made by artists who are not men. Women in photography make up a tiny fraction of that total. Art collectors and fans can help change this narrative by using both their consumer and viewer power.

My work speaks to this issue in many ways, reflecting my identity as a queer woman artist, the way I practice making work, and who I collaborate with. Rebellion is at the core of my identity as an artist, and it shines through in all of my work. If you’re looking for an artist with a rebellious spirit who creates community-centric projects, I’m the artist for you.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative?

As a creative, one aspect of my journey that non-creatives may struggle to understand is the pervasive expectation to work for free or in exchange for “exposure”. While exposure can be valuable, especially for emerging artists seeking to build their portfolios or gain recognition, it often comes at the expense of fair compensation for our time, skills, and expertise. This expectation can perpetuate the undervaluing of creative labor and contribute to financial instability within the artistic community.

Moreover, the decision to prioritize exposure over monetary compensation is often driven by a complex interplay of factors, including the desire for validation, fear of missing out on opportunities, and societal pressures to pursue passion projects regardless of financial compensation. Non-creatives may underestimate the financial strain and uncertainty that many artists face, as well as the emotional toll of constantly having to justify the value of our work. So many of us spend years honing our voice and skills, and many of us work multiple jobs just to be able to do so. If you value an artist enough to want their work, you should be willing to pay for their skill and time.

Additionally, the expectation to work for free can perpetuate inequities within the creative industry, disproportionately impacting marginalized artists who may already face barriers to accessing opportunities and resources. By recognizing the inherent value of creative labor and advocating for fair compensation, both within the industry and in broader society, we can work towards creating a more equitable and sustainable environment for artists to thrive.

Ultimately, shedding light on these challenges can help foster greater understanding and empathy towards the experiences of creatives, while also encouraging conversations about the importance of fair compensation and support for artistic endeavors.

In other words, even if you have a friend or family member who’s creative, and value their work enough to pay them fairly for it, your investment in them will allow them to continue to work and grow.

Are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

There are two resources that I think creatives should be using more – other creatives and producing work. My advice to emerging artists is always the same: find someone in your field who has a successful career or career trajectory that you admire, reach out to them, and offer to compensate them for some of their time to interview them. Learning about the mistakes and successes of other creatives that you admire is the best way to move your career forward. You don’t need to reinvent the wheel, if someone is already succeeding in the career you want, the best thing you can do is put yourself in a position to learn from them!

It’s important to remember to respect people’s time and energy. I’ve had many students and grad students reach out to me for help, only to bail on their scheduled meetings or calls. But if you show respect for people’s time and hard-earned lessons, reaching out to industry experts and asking for advice or mentorship can do more to push your work forward than any other move you can make. If you do land an interview with a potential mentor, come prepared with an outline of questions you have. My best advice is to offer to compensate those experts for their time. Anything they have to share they worked hard to learn, and time away from their practice costs them. Offering to compensate a professional also tells them that you take their time seriously and they will be more willing to help you.

The other resource is YOU! Many artists don’t treat making art like a job. Inspiration doesn’t just fall in your lap, you have to work through a lot of bad ideas to find the brilliant ones. My former mentor always advised me to treat art like any other 9-5 job. Schedule your time to create and stick to that schedule. Honor your own time and space, your efforts to make and produce work, even when you don’t feel like it, that commitment is your greatest resource of all. Effort and dedication begets skill, so respect yourself enough to fully commit to your creative practice. If you can’t commit to your own practice, how can you expect anyone else to?

Contact Info:

• Website: www.brittanyrosebradley.com
• Instagram: @nitrate_fox
• Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/brittbradley
• Other: Tiktok: @nitrate_fox

Image Credits
Britt Bradley In Darkroom at Cubberly Artist Studio Program in Palo Alto photo by Britt Bradley Britt Bradley In Darkroom at Cubberly Artist Studio Program in Palo Alto photo by Britt Bradley. Britt Bradley adjusts her Gundlach Korona Camera photo by Kayleigh Shawn Photography “Boom Imani” 5×7 Black Glass Ambrotype of Culture Writer Imani Mixon by Britt Bradley. “Fading Light” 8×10 Tintype of Surfers at Moonstone Beach In Arcata, CA by Britt Bradley. “Derby Girls at the Park” 5×7 Black Glass Ambrotype from the Series “Jamnesia” by Britt Bradley. “Rise and Grind” 8×10 Tintype of Secret Cervix “Vix”, from the Series “Jamnesia” by Britt Bradley. Britt Bradley leans in the doorway of her mobile darkroom Rubylith “Ruby” photo by Kayleigh Shawn Photography Britt Bradley leans against her mobile darkroom Rubylith “Ruby” photo by Kayleigh Shawn Photography