Meet Belen Rediet | Photographer, Health Advocate, Social Media Specialist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Belen Rediet and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Belen, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
I’ve always had a heart for photography.

Growing up looking through my grandfathers National Geographic magazine collections, it was always exciting to see images from around the world and the different social impacts. Having that background I would get excited taking pictures of everything when I was in middle school using the Fujifilm QuickSnap or the Kodak single use cameras. You just never knew how the images would come out hahah, which was honestly the best part. I took a class in high school which open up my excitement for photography even more, which helped me take more classes in college. That’s when I fell in love with film and the developing process because it felt like Christmas every time you see your proofs come to life. I ended taking photos at every family event using a point and shoot canon camera and noticed how happy I felt when I was capturing special moments.

I believe that we all have different photographic point of view. I pursued an artistic career because I love telling stories through imager.y that both evoke emotion and potential change.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I studied nutrition in college, because not only do I love all things creative but I love health science and since I’ve always been a foodie nutritional science made perfect sense. After college, I had a great opportunity to work in community nutrition through the WIC program doing counseling and preventive care. Within the same non-profit organization, I switched into social media/health communication and began strategizing ways to promote healthy eating, breastfeeding, and highlighting community resources for our demographic which is families, pregnant mothers and children up to age 5.

Through my experience working in social media, I noticed that we needed images of real families from different cultural backgrounds. I then used my photography skills to create a library that the WIC program and a subprogram called CinnaMoms, which is a cultural space that helps Black/African American families come together to get breastfeeding/chestfeeding, and parenting assistance, use when promoting the services we provide on all social platforms.

Again I can’t emphasize how blessed I am, with the different opportunities that God has given me. Trust me it’s a lot of work and yes it comes with its challenges such as having imposter syndrome. I struggled a lot with this because I didn’t think my work was good enough for people to see, but honestly when I see the smiles from the families I’ve photographed, mothers saying that they appreciate me taking the time to take the pictures of them with their children, or having family members purchase my photos always brings tears to my eyes. Those experiences are my reminder that the current mindset that I may be stuck in will always pass.

The biggest lesson I’ve learned is that I am wonderfully and fearfully made to be in this world. So my perspective and gift will always show something different, even if there are millions of photographers out there in the world there is only one Belen Rediet. I learned this because every time I travel and take pictures, I am able to see how God’s works is always grand and amazing. Pslams 139:14 says “I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.”

I want people to know that through beereddyphotography, you will experience your story captured through moments you share in different landscapes and of course delicious eats.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Week in Los Angeles would look a little something like, a mixture of South Bay to see the different beaches, to explore great coffee shops in Inglewood or mid-city, do some art seeing and end our nights at wonderful roof tops in LA.

Here are some of my favorite breakfast/coffee shops that I would take my best friend:
Blu Jam Cafe in LA
Hilltop Coffee + Kitchen in Inglewood
The Nest in Bellflower

After our morning coffee and meal, I would then take my bestie to see the different beaches from Palos Verdes all the way to Manhattan Beach at some of my favorite spots to view the ocean.

Once it’s time to eat, we would check out some of my favorite lunch spots to share the amazing different cultures we have here. Like my favorite Thai restaurant called Bowl Thai in Gardena, Dulan’s soul food kitchen in Inglewood, or Awash for amazing Ethiopian/Eritrean food off of Pico Blvd.

Since we need to walk off our lunch I would then go to art galleries, museums like the Broad in downtown LA, Japanese American National Museum in Little Tokyo,The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens in San Marino or to spice things up go to Long Beach to do some thrifting.

We then will then be so hungry that we will get some dinner at either:
Post and Beam in LA
The Girl and the Goat in Arts District
DAMA in the fashion district

I like to options so no one is stuck with one place, of course we can’t forget the rooftops which are always fun. Some locations that I enjoy to grab drinks, and enjoy the view is Mama Shelter in Hollywood, Harriets Rooftop in West Hollywood, or Cork and Batter in Inglewood.

I love this city and this is just a taste of what Los Angeles has to offer in my eyes. Trust me you would want to stay longer then a week hahah.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I am so blessed to have such a supportive family that has always believed in me. I want say thank you to my parents Rediet and Genet, and my two older sisters Tseboat and Deborah for consistently encouraging me and for their never-ending prayers. My grandparents Bitcher Alazar and Zeresennai Abraha, and Tekea Paulos who aren’t here with us anymore but they truly have always been my motivators in pursing photography. My grandmother Bitcher Alazar once sat me down after seeing one of my projects from a charcoal class I took in college and she told me “you have your creative gene from me” lol it was one of my favorite memories I have with her.

Honestly big shoutout to my extended family for constantly posing when asked, waiting for letting the camera eat first lol and always loving my creative process. I love you all so much!

Website: https://www.beereddyphotography.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beereddyphotography/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/belen-rediet/