Confessions of a Portrait Photographer

[@blossombaytalks]

This really resonated with me. The fact that you didn’t have traditional training… that’s the magic. It’s why your work feels so raw and alive. Your portraits have an unfiltered honesty, like they’re telling stories only you could see. It’s proof that the best art comes from breaking rules, not following them. Inspiring stuff.

[@adventureStaley]

Thank you BB, I appreciate you

[@albertosandoval9777]

It´s so comforting to see humble people doing amazing work. Yeah, taking good portraits it´s more complicated that you can ever imagine when entering this world. Thanks for sharing this.

[@adventureStaley]

Thank you so much 😀

[@thatcreole9913]

I love the brutal honesty here. Ben is one of the realist photographers out there. Truly an inspiration. Amazing work man. Huge fan.

[@adventureStaley]

Thank you very much 🙏🏼

[@jjkdc62]

Easily the most interesting and inspiring photography-related video I've watched in a while. Thanks man!

[@adventureStaley]

Ah man, thank you so much 🙏🏼🙏🏼

[@bwitek]

You just gave the best possible advice to any aspiring portrait photographer. Humanity, empathy, connection! Great work Ben!

[@adventureStaley]

Thank ya

[@TheVicLopez]

Fuck dude! That one really hit me in the feels. I love how passionate you are about portraits. I absolutely love people who get super passionate about something they love, no matter what that is.

[@adventureStaley]

Appreciate you taking the time Vic

[@AndySnap]

What a fabulous 'portfolio' of photos, in a brilliantly edited video. A cut above...🙏

[@adventureStaley]

Many thanks!

[@markledingham4942]

I used to shoot portraits as part of my job. Something that always gave me the most out of photography. And although I don’t shoot so many portraits now, they are always what I long to do all over again. Thank you for a spiritually deep film; this is a wonderful reawakening.

[@adventureStaley]

Awesome, thanks for watching!

[@mikeyjhn]

In most of the images the expression is amazing. The eyes, each person is giving something of themselves and you are open to see and capture that, a fluid connection. Some great compositions and poses but the eyes, wow. Good work should be in print you should consider self publishing a big book or series of books of portraits. 👏

[@adventureStaley]

Much appreciated sir

[@LifestyleBoudoir]

Hey Ben- just wanted to say that this has to be my favorite video you've done to date. So good! The passion is evident. But also, how humble you are about your art. Thanks man!

[@adventureStaley]

Thank you man, means a lot.

[@billgreen4514]

I love these images you allow people to show up, to present themselves as they are, you don't get in the way of that and you have a great eye. Looking forward to seeing more from you soon !

[@adventureStaley]

Thank you Bill. More to come.

[@photo818]

I watch tons of KZbin photography videos and take them for what they’re worth and then there comes along videos that just resonate with me, this video is one of those, amazing video and felt what you describe

[@adventureStaley]

Thanks very much for taking the time.

[@NeoPlatina2009]

Love this video. Loved. Every. Word. Words of wisdom that hit right at home. Thank you.

[@adventureStaley]

🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼

[@filibertkraxner305]

Wow, you articulated the why and how of taking portraits better than I ever could. And I completely agree: it's all about empathy. When you make a true connection with your model, magic can happen. Had a chuckle, because I also couldn't say if my pre-planned or improvised shoots produce the best images. In my experience, it could be both. I shoot both portraits and dance, and I approach those very similarly to you. Love your work!

[@adventureStaley]

Thank you man, really appreciate it

[@photofervorphotography4997]

Truly remarkable - a gripping watch and story telling - your work is inspirational and a joy to see - well done and keep producing.

[@adventureStaley]

Thanks very much

[@EdwardBartel]

As I said on BSky, this is a lovely piece of art. The photography, but also how you tell the story and move through the video in full. Well done, sir!

[@adventureStaley]

Thank you Ed

[@JohnPatrickWeiss]

“You have to be brave to take someone’s picture.” Great thought. I remember your Q2 portrait work-how you captured such amazing shots within the limitation of that 28mm lens. Amazing work.

[@adventureStaley]

Thank you John

[@michaelrichardson484]

I’ve worked on an off as a photographer for about 40 years. I did some basic commercial photography for advertising companies and model shots, portraits. Your style is different and I really enjoy it. The shallow depth the field you use to capture the eyes and the emotions of your subject is inspiring.👍

[@adventureStaley]

Thanks very much Michael.

[@mathieucaron4957]

The eyes of those who are not used to seeing a camera always bring out something unique. You now have to go quite far to find them, but it's still possible!

[@bartpeterleroy932]

Ben, just a great video again, you are a star artist with a genuine, impressive style both in the way you tell stories and the portraits you take! Love it, I lap it up, again and again. Thank you for inspiring us!

[@adventureStaley]

Many thanks. Humbled.

[@JeffreyHauser]

Beautiful images! Thank you for sharing them with us. I remember LIFE Magazine & LOOK Magazine as a little boy growing up. I enjoyed the beautiful images in these magazines, but I rally didn’t know why I enjoyed them so much. Fast forward to about 35-40 years later & I had become a full time photographer. Funny how things work out. Best wishes for your career & YT Channel. Cheers & safe travels.😊

[@adventureStaley]

Awesome Jeffrey, thank you so much

[@seanandrewin2531]

Very riveting videos, so much passion behind those words, and it was shown in the work being presented

[@adventureStaley]

Glad you enjoyed it 🙏🏼🙏🏼

[@andrewcroft2570]

Great video and truly outstanding portraits.

[@adventureStaley]

Many thanks!

[@mickeli7155]

"ive learn every time I pick up a camera" I liked that.

[@jayocotube6483]

Consistently some of the best stuff on KZbin! Great job, Ben.

[@adventureStaley]

Thanks very much

[@timskinnercanada]

This was outstanding Ben. I really dig what you’re saying. When you take an honest and thoughtful portrait of another human being you become connected with them in a very profound and permanent way. It actually changes your relationship with them. A bond is forged. Have you found that? I’m sure you have.

[@adventureStaley]

Thank you Tim, totally agree with you.

[@FrankThom]

Keep going man! And thanks for your videos. Its always a highlight when I see that you’ve shared something Ben. Truly inspiring.

[@adventureStaley]

Thank you Frank

[@kosmidts]

Great story telling video and very inspiring Ben!! Awesome portraits!! Thanks!!

[@adventureStaley]

Thanks so much!

[@gregoryhauser1506]

Great work !!!. I like your portrait style, I think it’s more still life because you capture those genuine moments and their personality too. As they say the eyes is the window into the sole. Thank you for your struggle because it’s mine as well!

[@adventureStaley]

Thank ya

[@TankDude]

Those are some powerful portraits right there... Killer job!

[@adventureStaley]

🙏🏼🙏🏼

[@fluvin66]

I love you man. .. And your portraits are amazing.

[@adventureStaley]

I appreciate that!

[@kenmarceau6841]

This is so compelling and inspiring to me! I’m trying to get into portraits and this video is helping me take this challenge and myself more seriously. Thank you so much for making and posting your story.

[@adventureStaley]

Thanks so much for watching.

[@stevegodsell]

Thank you so much for sharing this video in such an honest way. I’ve been struggling to shoot recently after not getting any client feedback after a shoot I was doing as a favour. Seeing you video has made me want to go shoot again; thank you 🙏

[@adventureStaley]

YOU are your best client. Thanks Steve

[@smalltalk.productions9977]

thank you for the effort and the sharing. a great vibe and the pix are even better. BIG thumbs up.

[@adventureStaley]

🙏🏼🙏🏼

[@legofanessex]

What a fabulous video. I loved the bit about matching your frequency to your subject.

[@adventureStaley]

Appreciate it

[@1946gsp]

Thanks for sharing your personal journey. You’re a man of immense talent and sensitivity.

[@adventureStaley]

Many thanks

[@backyardjunkie]

Whoooop Ben, right on time and just what I needed, funny when that happens, thanks for the passion dude.....

[@adventureStaley]

🙏🏼🤘🏼

[@Ratsters]

WOW, WOW, and WOW again! There is so much BS on the Web right now that it's crazy, but your KZbin comes along, and YES, my faith in the human race is back on again. Thanks for the honesty and courage to admit your weakness and passion! Cheers.

[@adventureStaley]

Thanks so much for stopping by and for the kind words

[@robertemunds7750]

Hi Ben, greetings from a fan in Brazil. What a great video. I love portraiture and I am planning to do more of it. After your video my mindset became - don’t plan just fucking do it. Thank you for the inspiration.

[@adventureStaley]

Thank you Robert!

[@TiborJager]

The shallow focus is nice, but it is changing in the presentation, so we can not know if like this was the original photo or is due to the processing for the presentation.

[@craiggreville2565]

Fantastic video and stunning work - a real inspiration

[@adventureStaley]

Gracias!! 🙏🏼🙏🏼

[@jjbs58]

Benjamin is very very modest . . . the guy knows exactly what hes doing, what gear he needs for the shoot, and the lighting he feels like shooting in. Regardless of what he says in a video. HIs video work apparently served him very well as his compositions are very rich in content and dedication- easy to tell. Sure wish he'd somehow talk a little more about the mechanics of what he does,...cause he is very good at what he loves. He does have serious skill though,...getting complete strangers to meet him or take them to a bridge in LA . . . to take pictures. When I first saw some of his videos.... I thought -what is this guy up to . . . but then I saw the lighting, the shadows, the textures of the back grounds....-the natural lighting arrangements the bridge supplied - and the photo thing clicked in me and thought - what a freggin' genius... Ben is very very good at what he does . . . regardless of what he says.

[@adventureStaley]

Thanks so much for taking the time and for the kind words Jack. It means a whole heck of a lot.

[@Diggler72]

Stunning work. It does help that all the models are stunning too.

[@adventureStaley]

Thank you. Funny thing is… the prettier a person is, the easier it is to take a bad picture. To not fully capture their beauty.

[@captaincook6283]

Oh My Goodness, that is One of the Most inspiring videos concerning photography on KZbin that I have seen in awhile. I don’t do it very often, but that made an instant followership from my side. I think this will inspire my Instagram channel a lot thank you so much and looking forward for more content.

[@adventureStaley]

Hey thanks so much, this means a lot.

[@FrankLewis-nl]

Wow! Beautiful work and an amazing video!!

[@adventureStaley]

Thanks Frank

[@anguyen800]

You taught me a lesson in real life . Empathy , yes , empathy and feeling the feeling of the person you photograph . Yes , the person you photograph , not a model per se . And I thank you and appreciate that .

[@adventureStaley]

Thank you for the time

[@CollectedLight1]

Wow! Mesmerizing.

[@adventureStaley]

🙏🏼🙏🏼

[@ZZ.91]

I don’t comment your vidéos, althought I Watch every one with interest, but this one Ben is powerful ! Thanks ! Your portraits are raw and beautiful. Models help a lot, They feel (man or woman) very confident and kind of proud. Is that always the case ? Or you feed them with your energy and then they reveals themself ?

[@adventureStaley]

Thanks very much. I feel like we arrive at this place together. It really is about matching energy.

[@ZZ.91]

@@adventureStaley that's great, and inspiring !

[@ralfbiking]

Thank you so much for sharing! I am Impressed.

[@adventureStaley]

🙏🏼🙏🏼

[@jbrodersen]

Thanks for a look into your world, great portraits and great to hear your thoughts on taking portraits.....

[@adventureStaley]

🙏🏼🙏🏼

[@mikekerouac3452]

Incredible work. Very inspiring. Thank you.

[@adventureStaley]

🙏🏼🙏🏼

[@maurokruuse8891]

Incredible photos... what a major source of inspiration. Thanks for sharing. Greetings from Argentina.

[@adventureStaley]

Thanks very much. I want to go to Argentina BAD

[@janromo9753]

Ben, Wow! Thanks! Left me speechless.

[@adventureStaley]

🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼

[@adamcook6396]

I'm gonna hafta watch this one over and over. Makes me want to run through a wall with my camera and go take portraits.

[@adventureStaley]

Many thanks Adam. Go!

[@donjagoe]

Dear Ben-Oh boy, brilliant. This beautiful film could not have come at a better time. I’m about to start a new project centered around a group of musicians and I intend it to largely intimate portraits. Thank you for a fantastic look at your vision.

[@adventureStaley]

Best of luck!

[@76steps]

Thanks so much for sharing your journey. No wonder that lady wanted to take your portrait. You were a very attractive young man. Your portraits are amazing and your videos are inspiring on here. Please keep them coming

[@adventureStaley]

🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼

[@jamesmonahan9408]

"There are no rules": I head Michael Muller once say that he didnt want to be in some school in a box with rules. 'Dont tell me how to photograph what I want to photograph." Mybest and favorite photos are ones I didn't think about. Just shoot. Great insight! Thx.

[@adventureStaley]

Thank you James. Yes.

[@vividmemories8883]

A great photo is subjective whether it goes by the rules for best type of photo or what inspires you at the moment.

[@adventureStaley]

🤘🏼

[@chrisjackson3144]

Wow! Such an inspirational video. It's not often that I click the like button but I had to here. Not just that, I had to look you up on Instagram and follow you. Your work is incredible! ❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@adventureStaley]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@alexfrederickson1540]

I don’t know what to say. I forgot to breathe watching this. Ben, just know that what that first portrait photographer was and is for you, you are for me, for many of us. Don’t stop.

[@adventureStaley]

Thank you Alex, that means so much 🙏🏼

[@profoto7]

beautiful beautiful images

[@adventureStaley]

🙏🏼🙏🏼

[@danbrowning2418]

This is one of the most inspiring videos I have seen on KZbin in a long time. I had never heard of you before, nor seen your work. But I am grateful that I tripped across this video. You've recharged my batteries.

[@adventureStaley]

Really appreciate this. Thank you very much.

[@MichaelPearce-bo4id]

Best Photo video Ive seen in a long time, very inspiring!

[@adventureStaley]

🙏🏼🙏🏼

[@larrywilliamson7227]

The eve changing focus is mesmerizing, the story telling is stellar, the inspiration is palpable. Thank you for sharing yourself.

[@adventureStaley]

Thank you Larry

[@saltdiaries]

this has transcended everything I felt about art and life. thank you mate! from australia I am so inspired by your words

[@adventureStaley]

Hey thanks so much for this. It was in Australia all fall and just love it.

[@domannicette]

Powerful video. Powerful message. Very inspirational. Thank you.

[@adventureStaley]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@timlewis3834]

Almost didn’t click on this video, portraits are not my thing. Typically they’re a little on the boring side, not yours, of course. Your style is unbelievably captivating. Within 15 seconds I was hooked. My first thought was that your images look like stills from a video, very striking and powerful. Then, of course, he’s a filmmaker. Wonderfully unique images, thank you for sharing them. And what a tremendous storyteller he is too. These aren’t just portraits, I can’t really put into words, but they’re so much more than just a split second capture of their lives. Each shot really does tell a story. Going to go finish the video now, then probably binge the rest of them.

[@adventureStaley]

Thank you for taking the time to watch 🙏🏼🙏🏼 and for the kind words

[@craigcawkwellphotography]

Great video, great inspiration, love your work.

[@adventureStaley]

Thanks so much!

[@lestergutierrez6826]

Loved this…, I am still rattled about a photoshoot I gathered the courage to make, I was scared and nervios…, and it was awesome…, I was touch by your video…🙏🏻

[@adventureStaley]

🙏🏼🙏🏼

[@Anna-gv7vo]

Wonderful photos!

[@adventureStaley]

🙏🏼🙏🏼

[@Santafefashionweek]

Great video, your an amazing photographer as well as a wonderful film maker

[@adventureStaley]

Thank you very much 🙏🏼🙏🏼 I want to come to Santa Fe Fashion week!

[@jadephotography1]

Wonderful video and story. Thank you

[@adventureStaley]

Thanks for watching 🙏🏼

[@StéphaneFerrer]

Inspiring video as always!! Amazing body of work, we can see your own style, very intense and deep. Bravo!!

[@adventureStaley]

Thank you very much!

[@stupest]

Thanks for your video. It has inspired me to keep taking pics.

[@adventureStaley]

🙏🏼🙏🏼

[@raulquinones-rosado3332]

Amazing work. The photography. The filmmaking. The philosophy. Bravo!

[@adventureStaley]

Many thanks 🙏🏼🙏🏼

[@hakanarl9461]

very inspiring .... thanks for posting such a video

[@adventureStaley]

🙏🏼🙏🏼

[@davidbiddlecombe8602]

Wow, that inspires me

[@adventureStaley]

🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼

[@GOCCOPROUK]

Great........... I feel it!

[@adventureStaley]

🙏🏼🙏🏼

[@greatpix]

First off, you're a better photographer than I was. You've shot with more people than I have. I predicate this on what I saw in your video, and I wanted to say this to every photographer out there. In this video all I saw were shallow depth of field images. You may have thousands of other images with other looks. In that case I'm off the mark and apologize. My concern is that when a photographer's look becomes their only look, that look has become a crutch and begins to hold the photographer back from growing. One way I combated this was by always collaborating with the model and incorporating their ideas and preferences into the shoot so that no two shoots I did looked exactly the same. I did this originally by having the model bring in photos from magazines that she really liked. I'd go over them with her, asking what it was about the photo she liked. Later it became the same concept but gathering images off the Internet. I was one of those photographers who encouraged models to bring a friend, preferably a female friend or relative as they were another set of eyes and could sometimes point out something I wasn't seeing because the model and I were lost in shooting. Maybe something about her hair or clothing that corrected then would save a lot of work in post. BTW, I was an OC brat. I did a lot of location shoots in LA but at mansions and interesting homes. My career was going well. I even shot a pictorial for Playboy's website and was scheduled for more but then PB had a budget crunch and laid off the entire section I had just joined. I had my plans to shoot at 4th St in LA, as have every photographer in LA for decades. The shoot I missed out on because of the client/model getting sick during a beach shoot the day before, was at the Chateau Marmont. We were going to do a little homage to a shoot Marilyn Monroe had shot there for Life magazine. Not long after that I started to have some bad health issues with my legs and back and within a year had to quit photography.

[@KeithHodgkinson]

Excellent portraits and motivation.👍

[@adventureStaley]

🙏🏼🙏🏼

[@street.studio]

WAW! I love your work

[@adventureStaley]

🙏🏼🙏🏼

[@oleksandrmedvid5505]

thanks for the work and inspiration

[@adventureStaley]

Gracias

[@GoodLifeInSpain]

Thanks for giving me inspiration to get off my ass and pick up my camera again!

[@adventureStaley]

Thanks for dropping by!

[@rodcage1111]

Great video, I felt everything you said down to the core.

[@adventureStaley]

🙏🏼🙏🏼

[@mahdiali6732]

Very inspiring

[@adventureStaley]

🙏🏼

[@teodavid739]

great video. inspiring and motivating

[@adventureStaley]

Gracias

[@roadcrewfilms]

Spectacular channel!

[@adventureStaley]

Thank ya much! 🙏🏼🙏🏼

[@carlossouthward8578]

Luv it!

[@adventureStaley]

🙏🏼🙏🏼

[@andikunar7183]

Amazing video, wow, thanks a lot!

[@adventureStaley]

🙏🏼🙏🏼

[@cshevlin]

Well done. Inspirational! Thank you.

[@adventureStaley]

🙏🏼🙏🏼

[@theparkerstudio]

Thank you for such a thought-provoking presentation -- I loved the blur effect, as it forced me to focus on the portraits in a different way (my curiosity is peaked -- if you don't mind, what video editor and effect did you use to achieve this?). Again what a wonderful video -- one of the few times viewing portraits had me at the edge of my seat.

[@adventureStaley]

Thanks very much. I use FCPX and it was a focus blur effect. I just used keyframing to move the blurs location. Kindof did it on a whim and stuck with it. Super easy. Appreciate the time.

[@theparkerstudio]

@@adventureStaley Thanks for your reply. If you haven't done so already, please publish a book of portraits -- I would purchase it in a heartbeat!

[@jlaw8882]

More portrait shoots Ben ❤

[@adventureStaley]

More are coming. Thank you.

[@jlaw8882]

@@adventureStaley Your portraits are amazing and the studio really does add that unique element.

[@fluvin66]

Hi, Ben. I would love to know if you have a compilation of your portraits on line, and I mean only portraits and not a whole body of your work. If you don't already, please may I suggest you do one. You'd be a great inspiration to amateur/beginner photographers like myself.

[@adventureStaley]

There are quite a few on my website. Benstaley.com Thanks very much

[@LensForgotten]

Raw Excellent.

[@adventureStaley]

🙏🏼🙏🏼

[@ultramuc466]

Ben I am so much in love with your channel, one of my favourites 👌 I really love your portrait editing is it something you would share to the rest of us I mean how you edit them. Do you use gaussian blur to get that creamy soft effect? Best regards Martin from Munich

[@adventureStaley]

Thank you Martin. I used a blur effect in the video but never do that in my stills editing. I may get better persuaded to show my process but I do VERY little actually. So it might be underwhelming. Get the light and the composition right and find a connection with the subject and that’s all it takes.

[@Anna-gv7vo]

Go and find Linda! Just do it! Honour her if she was your first inspiration!

[@adventureStaley]

‼️

[@michaelhuttphotography9470]

Such honest work....

[@adventureStaley]

🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼

[@adriantsing]

You're such an inspiration. Thank you

[@adventureStaley]

Thanks 🙏🏼

[@маркмендес]

Ben, you're a cool dude and your work is amazing. Best regards from Russia

[@adventureStaley]

Hey, thanks!

[@francoisaspesberro8958]

Dude I LOVE your PORTRAITS.

[@adventureStaley]

Thanks dude