On this episode of The PHYS Podcast, Tyson Martin sits down with award-winning Indigenous photographer Cody Hammer, a member of the Cherokee Nation and Muscogee Creek Nation whose work bridges traditional storytelling with contemporary visual art.

Based in Skiatook, Oklahoma, Cody is a self-taught photographer and filmmaker whose images reflect the strength, resilience, beauty, and living traditions of Indigenous communities. Through his lens, he documents stories that honor the past while creating space for new conversations about identity, culture, and representation.

Cody's work is rooted in the belief that photography can be more than documentation, it can be a powerful tool for preserving culture, strengthening community, and helping people connect emotionally to stories that deserve to be seen and remembered.

As a member of the Native American Journalists Association, the Society of Professional Journalists Oklahoma Pro Chapter, and Indigenous Photograph, an international collective of Indigenous visual storytellers working throughout Indian Country, Cody continues to use photography as a way to elevate Indigenous voices and perspectives.

His approach blends traditional cultural values with a modern visual language, creating work that feels both timeless and contemporary.

At the heart of everything he creates is a simple philosophy:

"I want to take photos that make you feel something when you look at them."

In this episode, Tyson and Cody discuss the importance of authentic representation, the role of visual storytelling in Indigenous communities, and how photography can become a bridge between generations, cultures, and experiences.

In this episode, you'll discover:

• Cody Hammer's journey as a self-taught Indigenous photographer and filmmaker
• How his Cherokee and Muscogee Creek heritage influences his creative vision
• The role photography plays in preserving and celebrating Indigenous culture
• Why storytelling remains central to Native visual traditions
• The importance of authentic representation in photography and media
• How emotion and connection shape powerful photographs
• The balance between honoring tradition and embracing contemporary creativity
• His experiences working as part of the Indigenous Photograph collective
• Why creating images that make people feel something remains his ultimate goal

This episode is an inspiring conversation about culture, creativity, identity, and the responsibility that comes with telling stories through images.

Cody's work reminds us that photography is not only about what we see, it is about what we feel. The most meaningful photographs have the power to create understanding, preserve memory, and strengthen connections between people, communities, and generations.

Whether you're a photographer, filmmaker, artist, educator, storyteller, or someone interested in Indigenous culture and visual storytelling, this conversation offers valuable insight into the role creativity plays in preserving heritage while shaping the future.

The strongest photographs don't just capture a moment, they create an emotional connection that lasts long after the image is made.

Follow Cody Hammer:
Instagram: @_codyhammer_
Threads: @_codyhammer_
YouTube: @codyhammer