From ESL Kid to Successful Commercial Photographer with a Passion for Backpacking – Shan Benson

Beauty, Cosmetics, Photography

For many years the beauty industry has led how we as women should look and perceive ourselves. But times are changing and beauty photographer Shan Benson is at the forefront of this change as she is on a mission to “…create and capture real and authentic images that are refreshingly honest and are relatable to the viewers.”.
Website: shanbensonstudio.com

Instagram: @shanbensonstudio

How do you stay inspired and keep your creative juices flowing? 

You have to want something really bad, and I used to put a lot of pressure on myself to do so. In turn, I worked hard and consistently, which helped me turn out a high volume of work, but I found the quality was often lacking. Creative juices will come and go, but I’ve found that following other creatives’ work leads to something inspiring for me. At the moment, my focus is on creating quality work, and work that will help my career advance, whether that’s learning new tools, or collaborating with other talents, being with other creatives to bounce off ideas keeps me on my toes.

What’s on the horizon, any projects you are working on that you are excited about? 

I can’t share the details for I just pitched this idea to a potential client. But I am really excited about this concept and have decided that if it doesn’t award I’d like to produce the concept on my own.  It will be two parts: photo + video, decent size production, I aim to finish this project in 3 months.

Could you describe a recent project that challenged your creativity and required innovative problem-solving?  

I can’t discuss any projects that haven’t been public yet, but for this particular project, I was hired for an extended shoot. During the shoot, I took the initiative to expand the shot list, which resulted in some excellent shots. The client was pleasantly surprised by the results. It felt like, at times, we may not know what we want until we see it, and for clients, the best way to convey our vision is by showing them the results.

What is the one piece of equipment that you can’t go on set without?

POLOSANTO: Anyone that comes on my set knows, it lives in my kit! The smell calms my nerves, and it brings a sense of calmness to any set.

What drew you into photography? And why commercial photography?

Honestly, I feel like I stumbled into it. I’ve been doing photography since high school. It was more of a necessity, really, because I didn’t speak any English – I was an ESL kid. So, the only way I could communicate was through drawing and photographs. How did I become a commercial photographer? I faced the pressure to excel in everything I did in the United States. Without being the best, I couldn’t maintain my visa status to stay in the country, and that served as a tremendous motivation. After college, I began assisting in an eCommerce studio in San Francisco, and that’s how I got my start. I met many people and learned my way through the industry, and now I live in LA, feeling like a small fish in a vast pond.
Do you have any hobbies or interests that people might be surprised to learn about? 

I love backpacking, it makes you realize how small human beings really are. I have been playing paddle tennis here in Venice, and I also teach yoga.

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