Brent Dundore-Arias - Producer of They/Them Project

About Brent

Brent Dundore grew up in Minnesota and began his photographic career in high school. He later moved to California to earn his BFA in Professional Photography, with an emphasis in advertising. After graduation, he relocated to Los Angeles and immersed himself in the fast-paced photo industry, working with celebrities, models, publications, and commercial clients. After five years in LA, Brent returned home to Minnesota, where he ran his studio in south Minneapolis.

Brent’s activism began after returning to Minnesota, where he founded the Marry Us Campaign in collaboration with the Twin Cities Gay Men’s Chorus and Minnesotans United for All Families. The campaign played a role in Minnesota becoming the first state to vote down a marriage amendment. Brent later received recognition from the Twin Cities Pride Foundation and went on to produce additional advocacy-driven portrait projects.

They/Them Project began differently.

It was born out of personal reckoning.

Brent has openly shared that he once believed, “You’re either a man or a woman, and you shouldn’t ask others to use pronouns that don’t exist.” His husband challenged that belief: “It upsets you when people question your sexuality. How can you tell someone else they aren’t what they say they are?” That conversation became a turning point. Brent realized that understanding required listening — not assumption.

While working with a subject named Dusty on a fine art shoot, Dusty asked Brent to use they/them pronouns. Brent asked if they would be willing to discuss their gender journey, and they agreed. During the editing process, one portrait captured the weight and clarity of that conversation. It marked the beginning of a new body of work — one focused not on answers, but on understanding.

Brent began reaching out to members of the Trans+ community, asking what pronouns they used and whether they would be willing to be photographed and interviewed. Each session began with questions — not for publication, but for personal growth. It quickly became clear that those conversations could serve others as well. Brent began recording the interviews, and the project expanded beyond portraiture into documented dialogue.

They/Them Project became a space where individuals define themselves in their own language — and are seen without correction, qualification, or erasure.