Brittani Sensabaugh, widely recognized as Brittsense, launched her photography career at age 19, initially in the realm of fashion photography. An Oakland, California native, she relocated to New York City in 2010. There, she captured iconic figures in the fashion industry such as Anna Wintour, Marc Jacobs, and Andre Leon Talley, and collaborated with esteemed brands like Diesel, G-Star, Scotch & Soda, and Madewell Clothing.
In 2013, Brittsense took a new direction, embracing documentary-style photography with her groundbreaking ‘Forgotten Cities’ series, starting in Deep East Oakland. She spent the next six years perfecting a style that has been widely recognized and celebrated in the art world.Drawing from her authentic Deep Oakland roots, Brittsense’s work challenges societal norms, presenting a counter-narrative through empowering imagery. Her work has been featured in leading publications such as Oprah Magazine, Ebony, Essence, San Francisco Chronicle, and Oakland Magazine.
In 2017, she founded 222Media LLC. Through this platform, she has licensed her art and brokered impactful deals with renowned entities like Carnegie Hall, Amazon Prime, and various restaurants. The company has also executed billboard campaigns, including a national campaign for her self-published book The Power Of Melanin, and has promoted numerous small businesses and artists in the Bay Area through targeted billboard campaigns.
Her artistry has been showcased in a variety of settings. She had a solo exhibition at Oakland’s BettiOno Gallery and has participated in group exhibitions, including one at BISHOP GALLERY in Brooklyn, Chicago Expo, and ‘Respect: Hip Hop Style & Wisdom’ at the Oakland Museum in 2018. In 2023, she signed with Richard Beavers Gallery and unveiled her critically acclaimed solo exhibition, ‘Reach The World But Touch The Hood First,’ at their Brooklyn location. This success was followed by her involvement in the group exhibition ‘In Plain Sight’ at Richard Beavers Gallery’s Soho location later in August 2023.
Throughout her dynamic, ever-evolving career, Brittsense remains true to her core mission: to employ her camera as a powerful instrument for social empowerment and change.
You started your career in fashion photography, working with iconic figures like Anna Wintour and Marc Jacobs. How did this high-fashion world influence your artistic vision, and what led you to transition into documentary-style photography?
Starting in high fashion was a powerful introduction to visual storytelling. Working with visionaries like Anna Wintour and Marc Jacobs taught me to focus on detail and aesthetics. But as my career evolved, I felt a pull toward stories closer to my roots—stories about real people in real communities.
Documentary photography allowed me to move beyond the curated, polished world of fashion to capture the raw, unfiltered beauty of everyday life. I wanted my art to feel like a mirror for people who are often unseen, and the documentary style gave me the freedom to be real, honest, and deeply connected to the spirits I documented.
In your work, you challenge societal norms and offer a counter-narrative. How do you think photography can be a tool for reclaiming narratives for communities that have been historically marginalized?
Photography captures truth, and for marginalized communities, it creates an opportunity to present our own authentic stories. By using a camera to reflect our realities, we reclaim our voices from those who might try to define us. Photography has the power to confront stereotypes, highlight resilience, and reveal the depth of experiences within Black communities. My goal is to let the images speak for themselves, portraying not just struggles but also joy, love, and strength. Every photo becomes a piece of our legacy, preserved through our own lens.
Your camera has captured both the fashion elite and everyday people in underserved communities. What are the biggest lessons you’ve learned from photographing such vastly different subjects?
The greatest lesson is that humanity connects us all. Whether I’m photographing someone on a high-fashion set or someone in an underserved community, everyone wants to be seen and respected. Both experiences taught me that, while our environments may shape us, our spirit and essence are universal. I’ve come to appreciate the richness of life in all its forms and recognize that each story, regardless of fame or status, has its own unique power.
You founded 222Media LLC in 2017. How has being an entrepreneur shaped your perspective on the business side of the art world?
Starting 222Media LLC has been a lesson in merging art with purpose and business. Being an entrepreneur means learning how to turn passion into something sustainable. I’ve gained a deeper understanding of branding, networking, and strategic partnerships. It’s helped me realize the importance of having structure and clear goals, even in creative work, and it’s empowered me to ensure that my vision is respected and valued. Running 222Media LLC has been a journey in balancing artistic expression with the business acumen necessary to make an impact.
222Media LLC has brokered deals with major platforms like Amazon Prime and Carnegie Hall. How do you maintain creative integrity when working with big corporations?
Maintaining creative integrity comes down to clearly defining my values and staying committed to them. I only partner with organizations that understand and respect my mission to uplift and represent marginalized voices authentically. It’s important to remember that not every opportunity is the right one. Working with big platforms is a way to amplify the message, but I ensure that the story stays true to the communities I represent. I make it clear that art always serves the people, not just the corporation.
Having your work featured in publications like Oprah Magazine, Ebony, and Essence is a major achievement. How has this visibility helped amplify the voices of the communities you photograph?
Having my work in these publications has been a honor because it brings visibility to stories and faces that might otherwise go unseen. It’s allowed me to reach audiences who may not have looked at the everyday lives of Black communities with such depth. This kind of exposure validates our experiences and shows a more complete picture of who we are. When the communities I photograph see themselves in these platforms, it reinforces that their stories matter and that their lives are worthy of being celebrated.
Your work often centers on Black identity and empowerment. What role do you think art plays in shaping conversations around race, especially in today’s political climate?
Art is a bridge; it connects people on a personal level that goes beyond politics. In today’s climate, where race is heavily discussed and often misrepresented, art can bring clarity and empathy. By visually portraying the nuances of Black identity, I aim to create conversations that go beyond the surface. Art allows us to assert our humanity, tell our own stories, and counteract the misrepresentation we see too often. It serves as both a reflection of our truth and a catalyst for greater understanding.
‘Reach The World But Touch The Hood First‘ is such a powerful title for your solo exhibition. What does that phrase mean to you, and how do you continue to stay connected to your roots while navigating the art world?
Reach The World But Touch The Hood First means that, no matter how far my work travels, it will always begin and end with the people and places that raised me. I stay connected by working with young people in my community through Class B Mentorship, a program that allows me to pass on knowledge and inspire future artists. This phrase is my commitment to uplift my roots while broadening my impact. It’s my reminder that my purpose is always to serve my community, even as I expand globally.
If your camera could talk, what do you think it would say about the places it’s been and the stories it’s captured?
My camera would probably talk about the strength and spirit of people who find beauty in resilience. It would tell stories of love in unlikely places, hope in difficult times, and the unbreakable bonds within communities. It’s witnessed both triumph and struggle, and it would say that these moments are what make us who we are. Every click of the shutter is a testament to the humanity and beauty I see all around me.
Your photography has been described as presenting a counter-narrative to mainstream media. How do you hope your images change perceptions, particularly for young Black women?
For young melanated women, I hope my images show them that they are powerful, valuable, and deserving of respect. Mainstream media often limits our stories, but my work aims to capture the layers of our experiences. I want young melanated women to see themselves as dynamic, unique, and full of potential. My hope is that my images help them feel seen, loved, and confident in their own worth.
With social change at the heart of your work, do you ever feel the weight of the responsibility to constantly use your platform for activism, and how do you balance that with your personal artistic expression?
I do feel the responsibility, but I try to view it as an honor rather than a burden. My work is inherently tied to activism because it’s about giving people a voice. I also give myself space to create outside of that lens to keep my creativity alive. Art is about expression, and by allowing myself to explore freely, I can bring even more depth to my activism. It’s a balance that keeps my work meaningful without exhausting me.
As an artist and a businesswoman, how do you stay grounded and focused when managing the creative and entrepreneurial sides of your career?
Staying grounded means remembering why I do this work. My focus is always on creating impact and serving my community. Surrounding myself with a supportive team and practicing self-care help me balance both sides. I take time to reflect on my goals and my growth, staying intentional in everything I do. Knowing that my work is bigger than me keeps me focused and connected to my purpose.
Your mission has always been about empowerment through photography. How do you envision the next chapter of your journey, and what new stories are you excited to tell?
The next chapter is about expanding my impact through my rites of passage Class B Mentorship, where I can help young people use photography to tell their own stories. I’m also excited to explore new media, such as film, to capture even deeper narratives. Ultimately, I want to continue celebrating Black life and creating spaces for our stories to be seen, honored, and remembered. I look forward to telling stories that inspire hope, unity, and pride in who we are.
