I'm here with a guest who needs no introduction, so we're gonna get right into it. The first question is what is your favorite type of photography?
My favorite type of photography is landscape. But I've found that I’ve become a little more interested in portrait photography because of the interaction with people (just getting to know people as I'm shooting is even more interesting than that photography itself). But I definitely like landscape because it started as a hobby that I liked to do by myself. Real peaceful and tranquil, where I can just go by myself and enjoy anywhere I'm at, you know? So that’s definitely my favorite.
What type of photography scares you the most?
Sports photography scares me the most, but I'm willing to take on the challenge because I find it to be a lot of fun and I really liked being challenged.
As a photographer, the man who is always behind the camera, do you enjoy being in front of the camera at all?
Not a fan of being in front of the camera. Honestly, I'm very awkward. I can help you model. I can bring someone who has no modeling experience and help them; poses, faces, all of that. And I can bring the concept. But when I'm in front of the camera and I’m the subject, very awkward. I don't really like most of the pictures I've ever taken (as the subject).
From your professional standpoint as a photographer, what do you believe is your best body of work so far?
I did a project with a model where we took blue flowers in a forest setting and she has a sheet of fabric draped over her head. She looks like a blue fairy.
Giving us some Mother Mary vibes [laughs]
I really liked that project because the editing was very creative. It was a big challenge and I also got to know her a little bit more and she's a pretty, pretty cool person. I like her.
As far as practicing your craft goes, how have your practice habits changed from when you began to now when you're really doing your thing?
It started as a hobby. I really enjoy it a lot, but now I'm more into the perfect shot. What kind of eye do I need to have? What am I going for, what kind of concept and what kind of idea am I'm trying to bring to life? I started with 4K photography. People usually start with DSLR, but I started with 4K and it brings out colors a lot more than regular DSLR, but DSLR pictures are so much cleaner. I don't have a preference and I definitely like both.
How has where you've been so far (a DC native, attending college at North Carolina A&T State University) inspired your art?
In DC, I've seen a lot of things and the story is kind of already written for most of them. So when you see it, you already know what it is. When I came to Greensboro (for college), I saw a lot of new things I had never really seen before, so I decided to go explore a little more. I've also brought that energy back to DC and I'm exploring a little more and making my own story out of those things.
Take me into your process, as far as what kind of research you do a heading into a shot: prepping a model, scouting locations, etc.
Scouting for locations kind of comes with it [laughs]. So just walk around, go and enjoy myself looking around. It's just whatever pops out to me. I'll be like, I liked that concept or I liked that location. Let me figure out what concept, what colors might match there. The eye for it is really something that you kind of have to grow into because at first you’re just learning to take pictures and how your angles work, but to have the concept fit the background is a whole different level of photography. A lot of different steps are involved in making the vision come to life. Prepping a model is important, considering I haven't shot with that many models that have been models before. So I help them into the poses. The facial expressions. Most models, they're not exactly decision makers, they kind of give you an option list. Then you have to pick out which one best fits your vision. Sometimes you'll find a model that has the idea already - those are my favorite ones! If you come to me with an idea already, that's my favorite because I just want to be able to execute your vision.
What's your goals, short term and long term, with Benny G Photography?
In the short term, mastering the perfect shot. Editing. Editing is a tedious process, but it's so uplifting and it's a great feeling when you get that perfect edit that you finally like. Most pictures I edit, I have to edit at least six times, so while it’s tedious, it's very rewarding when you finally get to that point where you're excited about the project you're about to put out. Long term - It's the sports photography. You create a career out of most of all the photography, but the sports photography is really a challenge that I really want to get. I've talked to a few people on becoming a photographer for their team (Washington Nationals, etc) and traveling with them, which I would really like to get into. Maybe not their team. If I find another opportunity with different teams, I could definitely get into that professionally.
Lastly, why don't you introduce yourself for the people?
My name is Benny G. I grew up in Washington DC. I attended North Carolina A&T and I enjoy sports, which kind of leads to my sports photography interests. I really do enjoy the DC area, but I have to get out.