28/03/2024
Almost two years ago I was questioning what was the sense in pursuing this thing of becoming a photographer. I was about to finish my job for a McDonald’s of the industry, taking the same photo over and over again in shifts that felt like a slow torture. My own thing with events was doing alright but I was feeling a bit of a conman by calling myself a photographer. I wasn’t exploring creatively, I was feeling stuck.
Then I met . He had recently became a father so it took a while till we met face to face. I wasn’t intimidated but I came to his studio with all the humbleness of someone who is going to meet a person whose work they look up to. And there is plenty to admire in Benny’s work.
Working for him I began to understand that being a photographer was a lot more than what I was doing and I was kind of right in believing I was not truly there yet. Being a photographer is about controlling light and shadows, but it’s more about the people and Benny not only has a superb skill and dominion of the tools but he is also able to make people feel themselves in front of a lens and get the shot seamlessly. And he won’t stop until he gets it. “Alright” it’s not enough.
Working for him as an assistant opened my eyes about all the things that were there to learn and I recovered my excitement for my vocation. It was then that I stopped caring about what this or that studio had to offer because in the end most of them have formulas and it’s all about learning them and sales. F**k that.
Benny opened doors for me with a level of trust that’s been quite rare to find. Thanks to him I started working for more photographers who also inspired me and who have led me to believe for the first time that I am now in the right path. When he offered me a space at I was thrilled and those days were one of the best things I’ll take from Melbourne.
But Benny is also a good friend. He’s never bailed on me and he has always shown support one way or another. He is a terrific guy and there’s no way around it. I am a better professional thanks to him but I am also a better man.
Saying thank you feels too little.