Art & Life with Britney Bender

Today we’d like to introduce you to Britney Bender.

Britney, please kick things off for us by telling us about yourself and your journey so far.
My story as an Artist begins at a very young age, always interested magazines and the photos I saw I would try drawing the pictures of people or animals I saw in magazines and copying them as best I could, or I would be drawing characters I loved from movies and tv shows. As I got older I got more interested in film and movies and even wanted to go to school for Video production, but after I bought my first digital camera and fell in love with the art of photography I wanted to create the images I saw in the magazines I wanted to be like Richard Avedon, and Annie Leibovitz, creating beautiful portraits of people telling stories within photos. There are so many styles when it comes to photography it has been a fun journey as I continue to develop as a photographer, to create and tell the stories. So after taking a few video production classes, I switched my major to photography and the rest is history. I graduated in 2015 with a Bachelors degree in digital photography, focusing on studio photography, portraits, and product. Photography gave me the opportunity to take control of the world around me. It gave a lens and way to show my view of the world to the world.

Can you give our readers some background on your art?
My inspiration comes from wanting to tell stories, wanting to capture a moment and freeze it in time I love portraits and the creative things you can do with lighting in the studio its just fun to create a mood and tell a story. To me, photography is painting with light. I like to consider the studio my canvas, the lighting equipment my paint and the camera is my paintbrush. As I continue to grow and learn, I’ve been shooting in studio learning and perfecting my craft as a photographer.

I love to have fun in the studio, and I want whoever I’m shooting with to have fun that way the vibe is there and the photos turn out amazing whether it’s themed, fashion, lifestyle whatever the story we’re creating or telling it shows in my work that people are genuinely enjoying themselves and that’s what makes me want to do it more. I’ve learned over the years how to read people and make them as comfortable as I can in order to create and help tell their story, or capture their personalities, and it’s amazing to share with them how you see them and how they see. My artwork I take pride in it, I’m an artist, and I’m sensitive about my work. I want people to enjoy my work and feel something when they see it, whether it’s a reminder of something from our past, or a good happy feeling, or even a thought-provoking feeling, I just want people to enjoy my work, because I shoot with intention to capture everything and everyone in the best light.

What responsibility, if any, do you think artists have to use their art to help alleviate problems faced by others? Has your art been affected by issues you’ve concerned about?
Honestly, I think artist have always been very vocal when it comes to thought-provoking content; art has always been the first to shed light on things that make us uncomfortable. Now and in the past, Artists are using their platforms to bring awareness to issues and things that are going on in the world today. A lot of artists use their roles to speak out against or to shed light on various issues; I just think now there are more in your face platforms because of social media and cameras on phones have allowed it to be live streamed or documented in real time. Just think of the No H8 campaign, or Me Too movement, these artist and actors are using their voices and art to bring awareness to these issues. I’m currently trying to figure out ways to implement things that are going on in today’s world into my art. I’m actually working on a portrait series that’s highlighting the different people in America regardless of background, just series showcasing people and their personalities. So please if you want to participate check out my website for more details about how you can be apart of the series. I think as a photographer national events and issues allow the art to become more controversial and eye-opening and sparks a conversation when there wasn’t one. That gives you as an artist an opportunity to explore and be more vocal and aware of the issues that are going on around you.

What’s the best way for someone to check out your work and provide support?
People can see my work on Instagram just follow me @britneyraephotography_(https://www.instagram.com/britneyraephotography_/) and there my IG is linked to my website BritneyRaePhotography.com there you can book your next shoot or just enjoy the gallery and see current projects I am working on.

Contact Info:

• Website: http://britneyraephotography.com
• Email: britneytherae@gmail.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/britneyraephotography_/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Britney-Rae-Photography-289887445034798/?eid=ARA1HEUR5T4EAioH83y3jPrRMryoQFovceTOBgh_X_cSnbBKIciFfEAEv2YSemYCYn_mCyc5r-rqS2xb
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/BritneyTheRae

Image Credit:
Britney Bender

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