Bria Lauren: Giving Flowers & Unpacking Trauma Through Film
Oftentimes lost in more editorialized documentation is the everyday woman. Reminiscent of large format photographer Deana Lawson, Bria Lauren opens her heart, lens, eyes and platform to portrayals of black women empowered in their everyday lives—devoid of respectability politics and rich with truth and dignity.
Bria Lauren is a Houston native, born and raised in Third Ward. The south is a sacred and integrate part of her work as a storyteller, visual artist, healer, and black woman navigating many intersections. She joins us as this week’s CRWNMUSE spotlight to talk about how film photography is a healing catalyst to translate her own unspoken vulnerability, visual identity and tell the narratives of POC who are worthy of being heard, felt, and seen.
Ashley Johnson: Can you talk about your use of film as a medium? What drew you to film?
Bria Lauren: Film is a way for me to have a conversation without saying anything at all. As a young child, I struggled using my words because I often didn't feel safe in my skin or environment. But film grants me the opportunity to express and connect every layer of my thoughts and emotions with others without insecurity or fear swallowing me whole. She (film) has a way of making me feel safe, and deserving of forgiveness when I don't reciprocate that same level of energy and love back to her.
AJ: There are deeper layers of intimacy to your work in your documentation of women—they have all the textures of everyday women. What leads you to choose the sorts of folks you document?
BL: I grew up with a household of Black Women who were difficult to read, and I now know that was on purpose. We didn't embrace, say, “ I love you,” or exchange intimacy in any form. Secrets, silence and defense was an unspoken way to survive, and I wanted to change that narrative for my own healing. The only way for me to break free from those chains was through storytelling.
Every woman I've documented is either someone I love, broke bread with, or by chance connected with on the street. These women are me, and a reflection of the women before me. I believe we unknowingly choose one another and that ain't nothing but God and our ancestors assisting us in this work together.
AJ: I was immediately drawn to your documentation of pregnant folks and mothers. Can you talk about the role of motherhood in your work?
BL: Black women and motherhood will always be present in my work. I've found it to be special and cathartic as I heal and unpack trauma passed down to me in the womb. Black hood mama's, aunties, and granny's are the stories I want to amplify for the motherless, girls I went school with in Third Ward and black women period. It is a beautiful and multilayered conversation; but it is also painful, polarized, and many other things that I am still processing. There is so much to learn from Black Mama's, and their voices need to constantly be centered at the forefront.
AJ: There's an entire album dedicated to Meg the Stallion. Can you talk about your draw to her to give her a home on your site?
BL: I fell in love with Megan, and considered her my cousin when I first listened to the Make It Hot mixtape. When you have roots in South-park, the appreciation for her sound and message hits different. I'm a TXSU Alum and I had class with women that were grindin' by night and on the tiger walk by the morning. Meg came out breaking all barriers and showed the entire world that black hood women are not monolithic—all while putting on for Houston. She has empowered me to show up as my authentic self, take up any space with my southern vernacular, and own all that I am in every aspect of my work. The photo album I shot of her is from the same night I twerked to Simon Says on stage with her in Houston. Giving her a home on my site, is equivalent to black folk having Psalms 27 in their living room. It reminds me that I lack nothing, I am protected, and it is for the little girl in me to see that we've already won.
Visit Bria’s site here to learn more about her and her work!
The CRWNMUSE Program spotlights the exceptional taste, art and magic of creators from everywhere. Interested in being a CRWNMUSE? Submit a body of work or a mix of your work here!
