Benjamin Wooten
WHAT DO YOU DO?
“I’m a photographer who thrives in the studio environment. ”
My true skills lie in my ability to work with controlled light. I specialize in portraiture and product photography. Basically, I know how to dress my subject in light very well. I once heard that a painter’s medium is paint, and an illustrator’s medium is ink, but a photographer’s medium is light. I’ve always liked that. I use these skills to capture seemingly fleeting moments and transform them into still images that are timeless. For example, the small moment that my model gets self conscious and touches their face shyly can become a powerful image that shows how truly confident they can be when they’re vulnerable. The photographer’s job is to see the moments and capture them before they vanish (in addition to making them look great!)
WHAT STEPS DID YOU TAKE TO GET TO WHERE YOU ARE NOW?
My first step as a photographer was taking as many pictures as I could with my flip phone when I was 16. Back then I didn’t even have a social media outlet or website to share the images. I just took them because I had to. My next step came in the form of two photography degrees, which is nice, but this step was truly about making relationships and carving off as much wisdom as I could from my instructors. From there, it has been steps and missteps in my career as a photographer. I’ve struggled and succeeded in climbing several rungs on the creative ladder, and I’ve learned from the mistakes and failures that I’ve experienced. The next step for me is getting serious about networking and meeting the right people so that I can take my work to the next level.
How do you stand out in your field?
I stand out from other creatives because I shape and conform my style to meet the client’s needs. I don’t get caught up in my own artistic needs and preferences: I will do the work that the client needs and I will not let myself get in the way of their vision.
WHAT ARE YOU WORKING ON RIGHT NOW?
I am currently working on expanding my skill set, challenging myself to take on new fields of knowledge. Specifically, I’m currently applying to Flatiron School to learn UX/UI Design. I want to continue to find work in photography while I expand my creative toolbox so that I can take on a wider variety of work. My goal is to never stop learning or become complacent.
WHAT'S YOUR STYLE/PERSPECTIVE/TASTE? DO YOU HAVE A PROJECT THAT REPRESENTS THIS?
My style is curated lighting, high production, and very controlled studio environments. I like to pour my heart and soul into my photography, which looks like both taking care to perfect the lighting as well as heaping sandbags onto a set to make it work. I also bring this same “all-in” attitude to low budget shoots. Just because you’re shooting on a dime doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice quality. Whether the model is lit with a soft box or a plastic bag over a flash, the end result is what matters. The main project on my website, FSHND, is exemplative of this. The team and I took a bare bones budget and did a high fashion shoot for a local women’s organization.
WE ARE ALL SLASHIES WITH MULTIPLE SKILLS, WHICH ONE DO YOU WISH YOU COULD DO MORE OFTEN?
Like I said earlier, I’m currently working on expanding my creative skill set, specifically into UX/UI Design. It is my goal to finish school for this in 2020, and to be able to find a community in that circle as well as steady work in the design field. The most successful creatives I know are masters of several creative avenues.
WHAT IS FRUSTRATING YOU RIGHT NOW?
I’ve been working at a studio in West Loop as a product photographer for some time now, but the company is small and struggling, and couldn't afford to keep me on their team. That is why I have thrown myself all in on freelancing and finding work through ilovecreatives. I’ve always made it work, no matter what situation life currently has me in.
IF YOU COULD HIRE SOMEONE FOR $20/HR, WHAT WOULD YOU HAVE THEM DO TO MAKE YOUR DAY EASIER?
I would hire a networking professional who could connect me to different agencies and studios that regularly hire freelance workers. I haven’t been in Chicago for very long, and I could use a jumpstart in the relationships game. In this field, it’s all about who you know.
LET'S BRING OUT THE TIME MACHINE. WHAT DO YOU WISH YOU COULD HAVE TOLD YOURSELF, WHEN, AND WHY?
I wish I told myself to move to Denmark 5 years ago. I would have avoided “Trump’s America”, and I would be inspired everyday by the way of living in Scandinavia. It really is where my heart lies.
IF YOU COULD TALK TO AN EXPERT TO GAIN MORE INSIGHT ON SOMETHING, WHAT WOULD IT BE ABOUT?
I always ask experienced creatives what they’ve tried and failed at in addition to what they learned from that mistake. Not only does this help you not repeat their mistakes, but it can give you invaluable insight into what works and what doesn't in the creative industry.
WHAT KIND OF OPPORTUNITIES/PROJECTS ARE YOU LOOKING FOR?
I’m looking for work that will push me to create like I never have before. I want to be nervous as I read the contract, I want big projects that are scary to tackle! I want clients to recognize me as the creative who isn’t afraid of any job.
Specifically, I’m looking for fashion, product, portraiture, editorial, and food photography. Anything you need me to light well, like it’s never been lit before, I will do it.
DESCRIBE YOUR IDEAL JOB/CLIENT/COLLABORATION.
My ideal client is someone who has a specific vision/direction they want to go. One of my strengths is taking the needs of the customer, whether specific or vague, and bringing them to life through my work. I enjoy clients who want to be a part of the process, and who aren’t afraid to throw their own last minute creative ideas into a shoot.
My ideal job is to photograph celebrities after a brief period of getting to know who they really are, and then taking a very curated styled portrait. Think of those very specific portrait sessions they do with SNL hosts.
My ideal collaboration would be to tag along with a group of “writers” and photograph their process of making graffiti murals. It just seems so Chicago.
WHAT IS YOUR HOURLY RATE, RETAINER, OR SALARY RANGE?
I try to curate pricing for specific projects. It’s not about the money, it’s about the work and the process, so I try to balance the budget as needed.
For example, I would accumulate estimates for wardrobe, studio rental space, equipment, assistance, and then factor in my rate as a photographer. I have found clients appreciate a well laid out budget as opposed to a lofty creative sum.
HOW SHOULD SOMEONE APPROACH YOU ABOUT WORKING TOGETHER?
Email me at benraywooten@gmail.com and include a brief pitch on the job, potential budget, and any inspirational boards. Also send memes.
HOW DO YOU STAY CREATIVE?
Spend time with others, Listen to those unlike me, Draw inspiration
This member profile was originally published in March 2020.