Today we’d like to introduce you to Ben Battles.
Hi Ben, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I have been an automotive photographer for over seven years. I started out taking photos of my friend’s cars with a camera a friend of mine gave to me as I got out of college. I was hooked. After a couple of months, I had some Facebook friends ask me if I could take photos of their cars. It wasn’t too long until I got my first paid photoshoot which was a huge confidence boost! In 2016, I started taking my camera to car shows and other automotive events and went to as many as I could. The years following, I made friends with some influential people in the car community & I started to become more & more recommended for photoshoots. So much so that I began to photograph weddings, prom – even real estate! In 2020, my efforts paid off and I was offered to become a part of S3Magazine, an Atlanta-based mag that’s been around since 2003. I’ll never forget it – seeing my work on the cover of a physical print magazine for the first time. People all around the country getting to see my words in ink on paper. I’ve been with them for three years. These days, I mostly cover car shows, off-road & racing events for the mag. Funny how some things never change.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Not just in the world of automotive photography, but as a photographer, you can definitely hit “dry spells.” Especially when the weather gets so cold that no one wants to step out of their house if they don’t have to. It creates a unique challenge at times, but I enjoy solving puzzles and try to be flexible for my clients. You might go for weeks, sometimes MONTHS, without a large booking, which can definitely make bills a tougher challenge. However, the reward at the end of the day is great.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Automotive Photography & Education. I create daily videos showcasing different & unique cars. These cars are mostly unheard of to the general population. I have taken it upon myself to educate everyone on these specific automobiles and try to show why you should care about them. I’ve made a decent following for myself over the past few months, growing my audience to over 100,000 on Instagram & 150,000 on TikTok – mostly from showing people these wild, crazy & unique cars.
The crisis has affected us all in different ways. How has it affected you and any important lessons or epiphanies you can share with us?
When the pandemic hit, our governor issued a shutdown of my hometown in Tennessee. Only essential workers were allowed out and about. The evening before, I took a series of photos showing the downtown area – completely deserted. Not a single person in any photo, which was surreal, as that’s NEVER been the case. As I edited the photos, the realization sunk in that we would be very, very ‘alone’ during this time. Technology stepped up in a very key way. Video calls with my wife, friends & family, video games with online connectivity & online groups definitely were utilized daily by myself. I know the same can be said for a lot of people I know. It showed me that your friends and your family will get you through just about anything.
Pricing:
- Automotive Photoshoots From $150+
- Real Estate Photography From $200+
- Engagement / Prom From $200+
- Wedding Photography From $1,000+
Contact Info:
- Website: battlesdigitalimaging.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/battles.digital/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BattlesDigitalImaging/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnakck1G8WY6myXXAEAA0yg
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@thegamblercivic
Image Credits
Myself & My Wife, Kelsey
