FRAMES Photography Podcast with Ruth Bergen Braun

In today’s episode, W. Scott Olsen speaks with Ruth Bergen Braun, a Canadian photographer based in Calgary, Alberta, whose work focuses on expressive portraits and the vibrant traditions of Indigenous powwows, capturing people with warmth, curiosity, and a deep respect for their stories.

You can listen to this interview using our podcast player below, but we strongly encourage you to subscribe to the podcast in your podcast app so you don’t miss future episodes.

Ruth Bergen Braun is a Canadian photographer based in Calgary, Alberta, whose love of photography began as a teenager, when she first discovered the magic of making black-and-white prints in a darkroom. After studying photojournalism in the 1970s, she continued developing her photographic eye, eventually finding her greatest inspiration in people, their faces, their stories, and the connections that make each individual unique.

Her work is particularly known for its sensitive portraits and vibrant photographs of Indigenous powwows. What began with an invitation from a neighbor, a champion jingle dress dancer, developed into a lasting connection with the powwow community. Through her photographs, she celebrates the beauty, dignity, strength, and cultural pride of the dancers, creating images that go beyond the colorful spectacle to reveal the individuals behind the traditions.

Before retiring, Ruth also worked as a counselor, an experience that continues to influence her approach to portrait photography. She believes that a meaningful photograph begins with trust, conversation, and genuine interest in the person standing in front of the camera. Whether photographing a dancer, a family member, or a complete stranger, her goal remains the same: to create an honest image that allows something of that person’s character to shine through.