Bria Woods

Portrait photographer

04/24/2026

Jenelle Esparza for Glasstire.

Books, trinkets from friends, spools of yarn, works in progress, completed weavings and a cherry wood Norwood loom call this cozy studio space home. Jenelle welcomed me into her sacred home and we spoke for a few hours about her process, ideas that inspire and memories of her grandmother.

While she often works with her loom to make weavings, she also makes sculptural works. On this particular day she was returning to a free form, untitled piece using chicken wire found on her property (photos 1-2). The cuts and scrapes she’s endured from trying to bend and shape this rigid material is in stark contrast to the pliable fibers she weaves.

One thing that staid with me is the intentional way she sources yarn to use in her weavings.

The weaving on slide uses yarn her grandmother shared with her. Her grandmother’s flour sifter inspired the design on the weaving seen on slide

Jenelle has been sourcing organic and naturally colored cotton grown by Sally Fox for more than a decade. Fox is a renowned scientist and cotton breeder. And more recently Jenelle brought back wool yarn made by indigenous weavers in Oaxaca, Mexico.

While most people see the story of the final piece, the time I got to spend with Jenelle revealed that the story begins with each single thread of yarn.

04/08/2026

Andy Benavides for Glasstire.

Andy Benavides and his wife Yvette Benavides have taught more than 10,000 students at Briscoe Elementary School, but they are not on staff. In 2005 they created the SMART program and stated working with teachers to help students grasp concepts in various subjects that they were struggling with. Tactics like memorization, testing and negative reinforcement have no place in their work.

Their approach is designed to help students take hold of curiosity, compassion and purpose to learn course material and to develop into healthy, whole humans.

Neuroscientists are currently studying the effectiveness of their methods.

Andy, Yvette and I talked for hours before I even picked up my camera to take the first image. We shared stories and swapped ideas and learnings. We cried together and shared a group hug rejoicing in the beauty and frailty of life.

Andy and Yvette are rare gems doing the slow, delight and often thankless work of teaching soft skills that create a more durable world.

Remember to take your Vitamin C’s. 🐰

04/05/2026

Like I always say, jazz is better with friends!🙂‍↕️

So incredible to share this experience with so many dear friends. And this was my family’s first time seeing Jason perform, and meeting the Samara Joy septet.

03/31/2026

Leslie Moody Castro for Glasstire.

Leslie’s work as a curator takes her all over the world to help artists share their stories through installations and activations.

One thing that stayed with me is that Leslie doesn’t just travel physically for her work, she travels mentally and emotionally through reading books.

The stack of books she’s holding was just the first shipment of books she ordered during her brief stay in San Antonio, before going back to her home base in Mexico City. Where she says imported books from the US have become increasingly expensive due to tariffs.

“More books were on the way.” “I’m an avid reader,” she said which was evidenced by the fact that she was already halfway through “East of Eden.”

This detail matters because it’s another illustration of Leslie’s approach to her work. Yes, there’s the obvious or of a curator, which we see in slide where she’s adjusting an artwork installed in a show she co-curated for Contemporary Art Month.

But when she’s not in a gallery or a meeting with clients, she says she’s buried in a book. Allowing her mind to learn new ways of thinking, allowing her truths to be challenged and inviting her imagination to a play date.

Wouldn’t you want your work to be curated by someone who thinks and observes outside of just their one reality?

03/29/2026

Recent work for 🎉

Thank you so much for this opportunity to work with you and make work for Glasstire.

This also very special because this is the first freelance photo project I got to work on after leaving photojournalism full time. I miss is it very much. I miss the feeling of having my camera in my hand while asking questions with my voice and with my eyes.

Each of these portrait session lasted hourss. Not because it took that long to take the photos but because before I even took my camera out, I asked to sit with each artist to just share, learn and listen. And they were incredibly generous with their time and their truth. The space we created in each session allowed vulnerability to Mae herself at home.

Each artist shared intimate stories about their practice, their process and eventually and inevitably, we began sharing our stories about life.

I carry with me what feels like a lifetime of stories, experience, and wisdom from each artist. Thank you for your generosity and for your important work. I can’t wait for each of our paths to cross again.

Over the next few days I’ll share my fave outtakes and stories from each portrait session!

03/25/2026

There’s so many layers of meaning to this moment. I’m so ELATED that I get to host PechaKucha Vol. 48 in Laurie Auditorium, on a stage where I have many precious memories as a Trinity student, and community member. And I get to represent KRTU in our 50th anniversary year…yeah this is gonna be a special night.

Can we share it together?

Get your tickets via the link in the bio on the page! 🎟️

Huge thank you to for my new portrait!! 🤩

03/21/2026

Me directing the reel we just posted on the KRTU page.

And we got it done in two only takes 😌

02/04/2026

Welcome, welcome. Grab a seat and make yourself at home!
mp4

01/25/2026

SURPRISE OF MY LIFE! soooo many people were in on this FOR WEEKS!!!😆🤯🙈😂 I’m still blown awayyyy but how perfectly Jason planned and executed the BEST SURPRISE EVEERRR!🥰

12/12/2025

Thank you so so much and for sharing and amplifying The Herstory Project! This is a first for the project, our first time on TV!📺 🍿

Huge thanks to the team at for welcoming me to share this project with our community. Seeing the women in this video organically engaging with the installation warmed my heart so much!🤩

The second opening reception is Friday Dec. 12 from 6-9pm. Free and open to all!

This is our story. This is Her Story!!!

03/10/2025

Starting this Monday you’ll hear my voice for the first time on KRTU’s Jazz Break at Noon.

I’ll be sharing in depth stories behind the women composers featured in New Standards book and CD.

Join me Monday through Friday from 12-1pm and let’s be moved by the music! 🎼

Address

San Antonio, TX

Website

http://Bria-woods.format.com/

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