I’ve known of Brittany for at least a few years. More so from Facebook but that has allowed me to follow her career and see her amazing photography and other projects that she has worked on. As you’ll see from the Q&A below she is far more than just a photographer. She been around the world, she presented us with the 5-gallon challenge, and she rode a bike across America. And now…in the face of this severe drought we face, she brings us, “Where There Once Was Water”.
I would greatly appreciate it if you not only read this post but share it. It’s an extremely important issue and I think Brittany brings it to us with amazing stories and passion all while using her creative talents in photography and video. Check it out and let me know what you think.
Matt: Can you provide a bit of your professional background?
Brittany: I opened App’s Photography here on the central coast in 2001, and recently celebrated 15 years in business. I serve clients such as the California Mid State Fair, Visit San Luis Obispo County, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, and ShareSLO, among others. I also photograph weddings, portraits, and other events for the private sector. And I had the wonderful opportunity to sail around the world a couple of times as the shipboard photographer for Semester at Sea.
Matt: Where were you born and how long have you lived on the central coast?
Brittany: I was born in Newport Beach, and moved to Cambria with my family when I was three. I grew up in Los Osos, ran track & cross country (and was given the honor of Homecoming Queen) at Morro Bay High School. I am currently living in Atascadero with my husband Steven and our sweet rescue dog Breaker.
Matt: How long have you been a photographer?
Brittany: My first real love of photography was sparked around age 11 when I purchased, with my own allowance, an old VHS video recorder. I got really into photography in high school, in many thanks to an amazing teacher, Richard Behrmann. Professionally I’ve been in the biz for over 15 years now.
Matt: What’s your favorite subject to photograph?
Brittany: I enjoy so much of what I do! It’s hard to say. I really love sharing stories, through film or photography, that can change our hearts and our minds for the better. Currently my true love is documenting our landscape in crisis, in hopes of giving a voice to water.
Matt: As an extremely “amateur” photographer, what advice would you give someone like me if I wanted to learn more?
Brittany: Get out and shoot. Shoot as much as you can, with whatever camera you have. The more you shoot, the more in tune you’ll become with what it is that brings you to life. And whatever it is that brings you to life is what it’s ALL about. Observe how the light changes throughout the day, and when something catches your eye, for whatever reason, pay attention – there’s magic there.
Matt: What is “Where There Once Was Water”?
Brittany: “Where There Once Was Water” is my first feature-length documentary film. It will be a solution-focused discussion about California’s current and future water landscape. It will present a collection of innovative ideas and methods for interacting with water more sustainably, in hopes of inspiring behavioral change, on all levels, towards a more respectful and lasting relationship with water.
Matt: Why did you start it? I mean, what made you so passionate about it other than the obvious?
Brittany: In 2008, and again in 2011, I had the opportunity to sail around the world as the shipboard photographer for Semester at Sea. The experience really rocked my world – I met women and young girls who spent their days walking back and forth to filthy and dangerous watering holes – so when I came home I was inspired to become a more active and compassionate global citizen. I figured that if I did something that was genuinely a little crazy, I could raise enough money to make a difference. So in 2010 I chose to pedal a bicycle across the United States of America to raise money for WaterAid, an international non-profit that provides access to clean water and sanitation in Africa & Asia.
As a natural progression of sorts, in 2014, when everyone was dumping water on their head in the midst of a drought, I created a short film titled “The Five Gallon Challenge” as a respectful alternative to the popular “ALS Ice Bucket Challenge”. It quickly became a viral youtube success – challenging participants to live on only five gallons of water for a day.
So, I guess that much of what I’ve done has been in solidarity with the women I met while on Semester at Sea, and through this current film project, I hope to inspire changes here in California, and that these changes can have positive ripple-effects throughout the world.
Matt: Is “Where There Once Was Water” your main priority professionally right now? Or do you have other projects as well?
Brittany: Due to the small budget and independent nature of the film, I am continuing to run my business and work full time as a professional photographer in the process. So you could definitely say that there are a lot of long days in the mix right now. Haha!
Matt: I know you have done a lot in your life personally to save water. Could you give three tips to the average Joe on saving water?
Brittany: 1 – Cut back on your consumption of animal products immediately.
2 – Become an informed consumer. Dollars are votes. Vote carefully.
3 – Use only the water that you NEED. This is harder than it sounds, as most of us here in the states have grown up with water available to us everywhere we go. Remember that this reality may not always exist, and begin to treat this most precious resource with the respect that it deserves.
Matt: How can people help you with this project?
Brittany: Oh my goodness, in so many ways! I currently have a fundraising campaign live on kickstarter. There’s a ton of great perks for backers, including a copy of the film upon it’s release. I will only be able to produce the film if the minimum fundraising goal is met, so this is really a priority at this point in the game.
I also love to hear from folks who might be able to contribute to the project in other ways… through music, interviews, information, etc. Please do reach out. I’d love to hear from you.
Matt: Where can people go to learn more about the water crisis if they’d like to understand more about the issue?
Brittany: There are a ton of great resources out there. The LA Times has a phenomenal newsletter they put out once a week called “Water & Power”. Some other great resources include Water Deeply and Save Our Water. Or visit my Where There Once Was Water Facebook page or website and sign up for my newsletter – I like to share all sorts of good info as I go.
Matt: I have followed your adventures for a handful of years so I must ask, what is it that drives you? You almost seem to crave adventure and using yourself as a guinea pig for some things, like the 5-gallon “water” challenge.
Brittany: Haha! That’s a great question! I’m not entirely sure what drives me other than pure passion. I do love a good adventure, and I am quite fond of doing things that inspire people to stop and think. I guess it’s the activist/artist in me that’s always wondering what I can do that will really make a difference. It’s quite fun. : )
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