Valena Broussard Dismukes

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In the main, people are at the center of my work. Taking photographs is a very personal act which makes me feel very much alive. I use photography as a way of exploring and understanding more about the world around me, particularly the overlooked, the unusual, and the unfamiliar.

Photography brings me in contact with fascinating people and their varied histories. I am particularly interested in the role that culture plays in people's lives and am greatly touched by the degree to which people will open up, often across language barriers, and share themselves through the lens.

Born in St. Louis, Mo., Valena attended Santa Monica City College, UCLA, and Art Center in Pasadena.