Life through a lens: capturing Jewish stories and more

Life through a lens: capturing Jewish stories and more

Renowned photographer Shawn Benjamin is a familiar face at many Jewish events, and he is passionate about recording Jewish history in South Africa. However, he has also captured many other aspects of South Africa in his photography, as these pictures demonstrate. He tells us more about life through a lens.

What does your work as a professional photographer encompass, and what motivates you to do this work?

Shawn Benjamin Photography has grown steadily over the past 25 years. From small, yet passionate, beginnings as a hobby, the business now comprises a team of professionals all energised by striking visual images. I am essentially an ‘on location’ photographer whose expertise lies in capturing the essence of each moment. Some clients and commissions include photographing Nelson Mandela on numerous occasions, Deloittes, University of Cape Town, government, Presidents Bill Clinton and Obama, and many other high profile people for the US Embassy. I also photograph most of Cape Town’s high-end real-estate for Growth Point, Pam Golding Properties and others. Other work includes photos for various wine estates, the World Cup 2010, the British Royals and many more. In addition I have photographed many social occasions: bar and batmitvahs, weddings etc. I really enjoy being involved in simchas.

Something else that motivates me to work is my desire to capture South African Jewish history photographically and to archive this for posterity.

What is unique about what you offer as a photographer?

There are various aspects that could give me that uniqueness: Firstly I always give 100% and nothing less. I am fully prepared for every assignment and am always striving to make improvements — for example, after a shoot my clients can download their images from a password-protected online library and can search for specific images by entering key words in a search box. Clients’ images can be ready for downloading within an hour or two after a shoot. So for example if I photograph a conference, that same evening the delegates can simply log into the online data base with their unique password, search for their images, download them in the required format and use them for their own requirements. Confidentiality is also greatly respected. Some of my work is extremely sensitive and I always strictly adhere to my client’s requirements. Apart from excellent quality, I believe this aspect of respecting confidentiality has enabled me to be awarded much high-profile work over the past +-25 years. This has included photographing the late Nelson Mandela on numerous occasions, President Bill Clinton, Maggie Thatcher, Hillary Clinton, the British Royals, Desmond Tutu, Mark Shuttleworth, President Obama and many more.

What has been your favourite subject matter to photograph, and why?

I always thought I would answer that question unequivocally by saying to photograph wildlife and nature due to my love of the outdoors. Well that’s how my passion for photography started in the early 1970s, and that remains a passion. But with the passage of time I realised that I really enjoy photographing people — documentary style. Every person is so different. Every face tells a different story. And for that split second I am able to capture something that makes every individual unique.

You have done voluntary photography work for the Jewish community, particularly photographing the annual Yom HaShoah ceremony. What motivates you to do this work voluntarily?

Speaking under correction, I have photographed the annual Yom HaShoah ceremony since the late 1980s bar only one. I also voluntarily do bits and pieces for various causes each year. I see it as my way of making a contribution to the Jewish community. Besides, I enjoy doing it!

Can you tell us about some of the other work you do in the Jewish community?

Over the years I have done work for most of the Jewish organisations and shuls in Cape Town, but something very close to my heart is documenting South African Jewish history. Over the last ten years I have been building an online image archive. Whenever I go somewhere and I have some free time I will try and find something to photograph to add to the archive. I would love to dedicate more time to this specific project but unfortunately I am not in a position to do so right now. There is a wealth of information, people and subjects to photograph throughout South Africa. I believe a project like this is hugely important to archive particularly that every year some of our history is simply disappearing. For example the old shuls in the small towns been converted to something else or ‘A long walk to town’ have even been demolished, cemeterieshave been vandalised, old photos and documents go missing or are fading away. To view images that I have captured and archived to date, one can log into my web site: http://www.arkimages.com. Enter a key word like: ‘shul’, ‘Jewish’, ‘Judaism’ etc . If anyone is interested in discussing this project — in order to assist in expanding it, please contact me.

What is the most rewarding aspect of being a photographer?

This is difficult to answer because I find most of my work to be very rewarding. Perhaps the most rewarding is seeing the final product, knowing that special moment has been captured forever, and naturally when people compliment my work. Photography is an art. It is not only to document moments in time, but also to be appreciated as a form of art.

What is the most challenging aspect?

There isn’t any specific aspect that is the most challenging, but challenges arise, for example having to deliver work no matter what — against difficult odds. What comes immediately to mind was photographing the Two Oceans Marathon two years ago when it poured for the full duration of the race, but work still had to be delivered perfectly and on time.

What is your advice to others who want to succeed in the photography industry?

It’s a very difficult industry especially now that everything is digital. My advice would be to persevere, not to be afraid to experiment, ask questions and get your work out there. Even in this digital age, there is still a place for creative, individual input.

What are your plans for the future as a photographer?

I wish I knew, but been able to start digitally archiving and photographing South African Jewish history would be a great challenge. To be able to publish a book on this would be a dream come true.

What is your message to the Jewish community?

My photography takes me to many very places and communities and I am always amazed on how little people know about the Jewish community, and likewise us about them. So wherever possible, we should be making an effort to build bridges.

Anything else you would like to add?

Just a big thank you to the Jewish community for their support over the years; and particularly to say that I appreciate being given this opportunity in the Cape Jewish Chronicle.

Visit www.arkimages.com for more