See life at a different perspective : Mark Bennington

Editorial Team at WallMag -

WallMag : A little about Mark Bennington

I picked up the camera in 2003, after working as an actor for 10 years in New York & Los Angeles. I was looking for something new and creative, after feeling the never-ending tedium of my acting career. So I started photographing all of my friends in Hollywood - doing their headshots, portfolios, etc. And almost over night, I was making a living as a photographer and loving the newness and creativity of it. Within those first 6 months, I realized that if I was charging people for my services, I should probably know what I was really doing. So, I went back to school for photography and later photojournalism. When I discovered documentary work, that’s when things started to shift. I saw the work of Alexandra Boulat, David Alan Harvey, Alex Webb, Mary Alan Mark, Eugene Richards, Lauren Greenfield, etc… that’s actually when I went back to school again for photojournalism. For a long time I tried to separate the two, but a few years ago as I found myself teaching photography at the S.I. Newhouse School at Syracuse University and realized that I could successfully do both commercial work and project based work AND that they would/could inform each other.

WallMag : How do you find inspiration for your work?

It seems to come from different places, but always involves the human spirit.

For instance the 'KEN' series was a personal project that came from meeting this guy who lived in a neighboring town in upstate New York and imaging him holding all these different women. Where did that come from? I have no idea! It just came. And later it stuck me that I was letting go of all my past female relationships, shedding them and this was a way of saying goodbye and holding on to what I had learned from each relationship. It was about paying homage to my past teachers, in this case my past girlfriends. And honoring my wife, a relationship in which all of that education could grow.

As opposed to the "AMERICA 2.0" series, which was 100% politically based. It was born out of the 2016 elections in the states. Trump was talking about a Muslim ban and I wanted to show the energized youth of New York City, who just happen to be Muslim- wanting the viewer to see the person before the religion.

As opposed to the "Living the Dream" book project... National Geographic veteran photographer, David Alan Harvey and I were talking about book ideas in and around 2008/9 and he was saying that since I had been an actor in Hollywood and knew so many people there that I should do an 'honest-to-god' documentary book on the lives of Hollywood actors. I thought it was a good idea, but got side-tracked with another project ("FooT bOOk"), and then about a year later found myself on a plane to India. I traveled up north for a few weeks, then thought I might go to Mumbai and try to meet actors. I had no ‘real’ plan, but I ended up meeting someone who introduced me to someone who introduced me to Guneet Monga (film producer) and she said “I don’t know any stars, but could introduce you to a lot of actors.” And that’s how it started. The whole point of the book was to humanize the acting community... to capture every branch of the tree.

WallMag : How does your interior world affect or influence the way you see the outer world as you photograph? how do you focus in order to detect the details you want to capture?

I really feel with all my work, it is about connection. Emotional connection to other human beings, connection to some fundamental truths that we we all share. And also connecting to a shared narrative as a collaborative process.

WallMag : curiosity and inquisitiveness are crucial for letting the camera flow. are these the necessary conditions for discovering the essence of the people you portrait? is it necessary to have a sound connection with them?

I love this quote from the legendary photographer Alfred Eisenstaedt, who said 'It is more important to click with people than to click the shutter.' For me, that is It.

WallMag : Tell us about your photography process. How do you complete your work from start to finish?

It's almost always a little different, which is what is so exciting for me... basically we're are creative problem solvers.. it's all about being in the creative maze and finding my way around.

WallMag : What has been your favorite project so far?

"Living the Dream"... I think simple because it was the hardest, the biggest and required the most from me on sooooo many levels.

WallMag : Tell us about your best picture that makes you proud - why

This shot was a wild one... I was supposed to have an session with Ranveer and was waiting outside his dressing room door for an hour- suddenly he opened the door, ran right past me and down the hall to some awards show that unbeknownst to me was taking place downstairs. I ran after him, but when I reached security I couldn't get in. It one of those moments where I thought, 'that's it, I lost my shot, lost my chance'... then suddenly the security guards went to check something out and I sneaked past them ran up to the balcony where Ranveer was waiting to get on this harness and slide down on stage- I had 10 seconds- fired off 3 shots and one is the cover of the book. I knew as I took it, it would be the cover. This is an example of what happens when you don't give up- to go from losing the shot, to making a book cover shot. That's what it's all about- you must dig deeper when you are challenged and never never never give up.

WallMag : Tell us about your best picture that makes you feel happy - why?

One of the reasons I particularly like this shot, is because it was not at all what I had planned. I was looking for and had found a great graffitied wall to shoot this image (part of my 'KEN' series), but something was missing. Then, when I turned around I saw the beautiful open field behind me, it hit me... I thought, "That's it! This shot doesn't need graffiti, it needs green grass and trees!" So, it's another example of the importance of 'looking around' and be 'open' to the world's suggestions!!

WallMag : How would you say your photography has changed since you started out?

The world of digital photography and platforms like Instagram have changed everything for better and worse.

WallMag : What would you say is the biggest challenge you’ve faced over your years in photography?

Making money is always the biggest challenge for any photographer. I used to say to my students at Newhouse, if you can take a good headshot you'll always be able to make a living. Some photogs shot wedding to pay the rent, some do workshops, some do commercial gigs. It's all a balance of practicing your craft and making a living.

WallMag : How would you say your photography has changed since you started out?

After 15 years, I would say... I know myself and the camera a bit better- so good shots come more easily. It all about clocking in the hours, learning from mistakes and pushing yourself to create better images for whatever it is that you are working towards.

WallMag : Can you please tell us about your clientele with proper description?

I have commercial, corporate, editorial and individual clients (actors, authors, executives, etc).

WallMag : You Wrote a Book on Living the Dream: The Life of the 'Bollywood' Actor, After having been part of Hollywood and Bollywood, what is the most striking difference between the two?

Hollywood is more organized and Bollywood has more heart.

WallMag : Where do you see yourself in the next 5 years and What concept/topic do you want to explore next?

I am currently finishing up my next book project called "MI MUMBAI." It is a series of black & white, 8x10 portraits clicked against a white backdrop. I wanted to do something that was stylistically quite different from Living the Dream and would incorporate my circle of friends here in Mumbai. So, the images are a combination of my circle and the Mumbai that surrounds me, the strangers I meet everyday. The entire project has been shot on the streets with only natural light. It is also my attempt to bypass class and caste systems, while simultaneously creating a vision of equality. Plus, I’m also starting to teach photography workshops here in Mumbai.

WallMag : What’s your best advice for those starting out in photography for the very first time?

Look at great photography!!... not photos on Instagram with the most 'likes'. Study the masters, submerge yourself in their visual language and then try to replicate them within the context of your world... and slowly with time and the help of your instincts you will start to build your own visual identity and unique storytelling. It's all about time and effort... what you 'put in' is roughly what you 'get out'. And I would say pick one topic to shoot... focus on it, be flexible with it and see what it turns into. And of course.... Be Positive. Weather you are shooting or not, this will having the greatest impact on the world.

WallMag : Share your 5 best photoshoot

Photoshoot - 1

This image was made for a friend who was starting to get some traction in his career- I wanted to capture his pure, genuine essence while in a 'real' setting. Basically, the shoot consisted us hanging out for about an hour chatting, then I took a few pics around the apartment building.

Photoshoot - 2

This image was made down in Colaba on the docks for my next book, MI MUMBAI.

Photoshoot - 3

This image is from a project called THE RAINBOW LADIES which I worked on with my wife, an anthropologist who was doing fieldwork in Trinidad & Tobago a few years ago. The shot came right at the end of a very long day of approaching woman for the project on the street and not getting any real great stuff... we walked down to the beach, I had a gut feeling that we might find some magic and sure enough way down at the end of the beach, right as the sun was setting with only a few minutes left we met this woman and her child. Always follow your gut!

Photoshoot - 4

This image was made for my AMERICA 2.0 series. This young lady showed up with an American flag scarf and said that she from time to time would wear it. The second I saw it, I thought, "OMG, it's perfect!"

Photoshoot - 5

This image was for the "Living the Dream" book project. Actress Pooja Verma, who I had met during my first week in Bombay was working on a TV show and sharing a dressing room with three other girls. I thought this authentically captured the space & atmosphere of life behind the scenes for a young TV actress in Bombay.

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