Los Angeles-based photographer Cindy Bendat has photographed all over the world, and she has a diverse portfolio of work of people, places and festivals. In addition to her work abroad, Bendat photographs the diverse cultures and subcultures in Los Angeles. She has photographed monks, ex-gang members, street performers, tattooed devotees, anti-war protestors, Cambodian dancers, Ethiopian priests, and Marcus Garvey parade participants.
Bendat also works with non-profit organizations creating art with social impact. In 2005, she worked in Dharamsala, India with Bridges to Understanding. In 2007, she led the community outreach and organizing efforts to save the boats at the historic MacArthur and Echo Park lakes in Los Angeles, co-curating two photography shows around the issue. In 2008, Bendat began working with Homeboy Industries in downtown Los Angeles.
Bendat’s work has been shown in many gallery exhibitions in Los Angeles, and her photographs were featured in the book Santa Monica Pier—A Century On The Last Great Pleasure Pier published in 2009. In addition, Bendat’s Flag Girl photograph became a Florida billboard in 2009, her photographs of sacred tattooing in Thailand were chosen as a preview portfolio by CameraArts magazine in 2008, and her Make Levees Not War photograph from New Orleans received special recognition in the 2008 Women In Photography International Juried Competition.
Photographic projects include Jobs Not Jail, Santa Monica Pier, Club Desire, Bangkok Tattoo, Flying into L.A., Legalize L.A., Guatemala Mid-Wilshire and Marlboro Man.
