Meet Bridget Fernandes of Bridget Yvonne Photography in West Houston

Today we’d like to introduce you to Bridget Fernandes.

Bridget , can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I have been on both sides of the camera since I was a child. The camera whether in my mother’s hand or in my hand, has always been a part of my family and an extension of my body.

My photographic gaze has developed over the years through travel and dialogue with fellow travelers. I spent 5 years in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, where I taught over 200 students English and traveled to Belo Horizonte, Ilha Grande, Ouro Preto, Tiradentes, Gramado and Canela, Bahia, Rio Pomba, Macae, Juiz da Fora and the interior of Minas Gerais. Although, I was not taking photos as much during these years, my artistic gaze was sharpened by paying attention to the changing landscapes of the Brazilian countryside and by the interesting conversations of students and travelers.

After living in Brazil, I moved to Houston where the camera became an extention of my body again. I started to hone my skills through photography courses and taking thousands of photos. I went back to school and studied anthropology where I thought about representation and the power of images. What makes a powerful image? How can one bridge the gap between photographer and subject in order to capture the nuances of the person or landscape? These are questions that I still ask when working.

Through my years in Houston, I have traveled to Kenya, Tanzania, Norway, England, Canada, many US states, Mexico, Guatemala, Puerto Rico, India, and Turkey. I started to pay more attention to light, movement, color, composition and framing. In 2016, I went to Iceland and the landscape spoke to me. The changing glaciers, the towering volcanoes, the green hillsides, the vast empty spaces, and the silence were powerful. These images spoke loudly to people. The image of the blue, sculptural glacier alone in a lagoon changing by the minute speaks to the transformations felt throughout life.

A volcano’s creative and destructive power moves me. Dark green mountains, steamy geothermal moonscapes, smooth lava and glacier flows, and long black sand beaches move me. Sitting in a café and having a long conversation with a friend moves me. A street full of movement, life, and music moves me. Actually, the right question might be What doesn’t move me?”

After the trip to Iceland, I participated in RAW which is an art show in Houston and started to also display and sell my photos at the Heights Epicurean Market where I discuss travel with clients.

My vision is to share world wanderings through images and dialogue and to provide a space for people to foster their artistic eye and expand definitions of beauty and travel.

Has it been a smooth road?
My photographic gaze developed smoothly over the years. I often struggle to take photos when I am at home. I am more inspired by new cultural spaces and landscapes.

In addition, it is often difficult to know what value to place on images and also how the meanings of art changes as it is put on display and commodified. How does commodification influence process?

So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Bridget Yvonne Photography story. Tell us more about the business.
I sell photographs of landscapes, people, abstract spaces and cultural spaces. I hope that these photos will create a travel dialogue and inspire people to travel and explore new spaces.

How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
Technology is constantly changing the photography industry and how photographs are taken but the core principles of good photography like lighting, movement, composition, framing, color, and meaning will remain important, photos will still need to speak to the customer in order to spark discussion.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.bridgetyvonnephotography.com
• Email: bridget.fernandes@gmail.com
• Instagram: @bridgetfernandes
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bridget.fernandes.5

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